Thailand Advances Islamic Education, Establishing Regional Academic Hub in Southeast Asia

Thailand Advances Islamic Education, Establishing Regional Academic Hub in Southeast Asia
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Recent developments in Thailand’s Islamic education system indicate the country is positioning itself as a regional center for Islamic studies, with structured programs, councils, and university scholarships signaling a promising future.

According to Muslims Around the World, the Muslim community in Thailand has experienced unprecedented growth in Islamic education, evolving from localized initiatives into a systematic, regionally connected framework. The movement is supported by religious institutions, Islamic councils, and government agencies, leading to the modernization and academic restructuring of Islamic learning.

A key milestone is the establishment of the Council of Muslim Academics in Thailand in Bangkok, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation and 12 educational institutions nationwide. The council aims to advance Islamic scholarship, promote scientific research, develop curricula, and support the Thailand Islamic Education Center and the long-term Thailand Islamic Vision 2030.

Thailand has also launched an Arabic language center to prepare students for studies in Egypt and ensure alignment with academic standards of Arab universities, guaranteeing transparent and merit-based scholarship selection.

The sixth cycle of scholarships has opened with 270 university placements for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, reflecting Thailand’s commitment to higher education and training of academic, administrative, and language professionals.

This comprehensive national initiative combines religious backing, government support, and academic advancement, establishing Thailand as a model for Islamic education in Southeast Asia.