Strategy and Approach in Driving Thai Higher Education

Abstract

Abstract

The research was conducted to identify strategies to improve Thai higher education system. The author reviewed international literature on higher education from relevant academic databases before comparing and contrasting with Thai higher education practices, while keeping in mind Thai population’s characteristics, economics, social and national development’s directions.  A Thai higher education improvement model was derived from the literature review followed by a data collection using a questionnaire designed specifically for this purpose. The population of the study consisted of the administrators of graduate schools situated around Thailand who were also members of the Council of Graduate Administrators of Thailand. Out of 300 sets, 98 sets of questionnaires were returned online in total (32.7%). The proposed model was tested using inferential statistics and found significant statistical support.  Results suggest adoption among various graduate schools in the country is recommended. Further test of the dependent variable on all the selected demographic variables using One-way ANOVA found no difference. Thus, it can be concluded that (1) sufficient research funding, (2) teaching and learning continuous improvement at different dimensions/levels and (3) quality of personnel are the main drivers of graduate studies development of Thailand and the model can be adopted among graduated schools in various parts of the country.