The Demand of Furthering Study in Master of Public Administration at Prince of Songkla University Trang Campus

Abstract

          This research aims to explore the demand of furthering study in the Master of Public Administration at Prince of Songkla University, Trang Campus. The research was regarded as a qualitative research deploying an interview approach. A total of 40 key informants was selected purposively as a sample of the study, comprising of 17 civil servants, 15 fourth year students majoring in Public Administration and other related fields of studies, 5 local politicians, and 3 private company employees.

          As of result, this research reveals that: civil servants were shown to pursue their higher education for the purpose of knowledge enhancement, future application at work, self-development, and career advancement. Students expected to continue their higher education as a preparation for a public tendering and increasing their chances for employment. While local politicians were found to further their study for a public acceptance in the community, as well as to apply knowledge for developing local government organizations and communities. Whereas private company employees needed to continue their study for work-shifting and practical use at work. Most of the key informants were found to be interested in the field of organizational management, public policy, and human resource management. Also, they were shown to have research interests in these fields of studies in addition to their specific research interests in government project management, human security and threats, conflict management, risk management in the public sector, aging society, and a community with sufficiency economy. A suitable study schedule to conduct the program was found to be on Saturday and Sunday with a tuition fee of less than 30,000 bath per semester, including the availability of scholarships and research grants for graduate students. This research suggests that the university should offer a tuition fee discount for alumni, provide scholarships and research grants for graduate students, as well as offer practical courses.