Oxford Brookes strengthens ties with Thai higher education through new scholarships

Oxford Brookes University welcomed government and university delegations from Thailand last week, further cementing a growing international partnership focused on motorsport and electric vehicle education.

Oxford Brookes University welcomed government and university delegations from Thailand recently, further cementing a growing international partnership focused on motorsport and electric vehicle education.

The visit was the third by representatives from Mahanakorn University of Technology International College (MUT), a Thai university with a strong focus on technical innovation.  

The delegation travelled to Oxford Brookes for the two teams to further develop their partnership and to learn more about the specialist programmes. Delegates spent time with colleagues in the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics to learn more about Oxford Brookes’ internationally recognised programmes in Motorsport and Electric vehicles engineering. MUT has committed funding to support  the partnership. 

Later in the week, the University welcomed Professor Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary at Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), on his second visit to Oxford Brookes. He was accompanied by Associate Professor Dr Surin Khamfoi, Deputy Director of the Office of the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council.

The delegation was hosted by Professor Khaled Hayatleh, Professor of Electronic Engineering and Biomedical Electronics at Oxford Brookes University, Gordana Collier, Head of the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, and Matt Gaskin, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor for Planning and Development in the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology.

As part of the visit they met the Oxford Brookes Formula Student team. The team unveils a new electric racing car every year to compete in the international Formula Student competition. 

The delegation also visited Williams Experience which is based in Oxfordshire. Williams along with Alpine F1 and Red Bull regularly recruit Oxford Brookes students for internships and full time positions. 

Gordana said: “The partnership between MUT and Oxford Brookes is a great match, with both universities being modern and dynamic. We are very excited about our collaboration, which will make a difference to the landscape of electric vehicles and motorsport education and research in Thailand.”

During the visit, Professor Alistair Fitt, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, signed a protocol agreement confirming a new research scholarship programme. Under this initiative, Oxford Brookes will welcome nine fully funded Thai PhD students over the next five years, helping to advance the University’s research in engineering and low-carbon technologies.

Plans for a dual degree programme between Oxford Brookes and MUT are being explored. This would offer students in both countries the opportunity to gain a global learning experience. 

Professor Fitt commented: “We are proud to build on our longstanding relationship with our Thai partners. These scholarships and the forthcoming dual degree represent an exciting opportunity for students and staff alike to collaborate across borders and push the boundaries of engineering education and joint research.”

Motorsport courses offered at Oxford Brookes University include: 


BEng (Hons) / MEng Mechanical Engineering
BEng (Hons) / MEng Motorsport Engineering
BEng (Hons) / MEng Automotive Engineering with Electric Vehicles
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering Design
BEng (Hons) Motorsport Technology

For more information see the Motorsport Engineering webpage.