Know a teenager who dreams of becoming the next Alex Face or Tavepong Pratoomwong? Rasami British International School (RBIS) might give them the boost they need to get there.
 
The international school has teamed up with Thailand’s inspirational motosai driver-turned-photographer Pichai “Eak” Keawvichit to offer a means-based scholarship for aspiring Thai teenagers.
 
Offered every year, and valid for a two-year period, the scholarship covers the cost of tuition for talented students looking to start their sixth form education (i.e., kids entering their final two years of high school). The schooling allows them to get the qualifications they need to gain entry into international and local universities or find employment in their preferred field. 
 
To be eligible, students must provide a portfolio of artwork, complete an interview, and submit evidence to satisfy the means-based requirement. In other words, they must prove they do not have the funds to pay for this education themselves—the idea is to assist other potential Eak Keawvichits. From there, the lucky student will be chosen by the academic leadership team at RBIS and Eak himself.
 
“It’s a very new scholarship, which goes along with several other partial art scholarships [we offer at RBIS]. We are trying to heavily promote the arts in international schools (something that is often missing) and give those who aren’t usually able to access this schooling a chance,” explains Matthew Sillett, the head teacher at RBIS.
 
Adhering to the British schooling system, RBIS offers 16 A level courses—students need three such courses to get into top universities worldwide—and the scholarship recipients will be able to study a wide range of topics, including fine art, graphic design, photography, and digital media and design. They will receive other benefits as well, including university guidance, tutoring and post-graduate support from RBIS.
 
Apart from this scholarship, the school offers partial assistance for students who want to study media, fashion and textiles, filmmaking, animation, and more.
 
For more information, visit the RBIS website.