The improvement of Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy’s curriculum, per the 20 years Royal Thai Air Force Strategy Plan (2018-2037)

Abstract

This is a Qualitative Research study with the following purposes: 1) To study and analyze the curriculum of Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy (Revised Curriculum 2020) and 2) To synthesize data to create guidelines for improving the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy curriculum in alignment with the 20-year Royal Thai Air Force Strategic Plan (2018-2037). The data is collected through interviews with the Chief Director and individuals involved in designing the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy curriculum. It also includes documents, studies, published journals, reports, and other relevant content. Data collection instruments include interview forms and records. Information is analyzed by examining the contents of the mentioned documents to create guidelines for curriculum improvement. The results reveal that the Revised Curriculum 2020 has been adjusted to focus on three specific domains: the Air Domain, Cyber Domain, and Space Domain. However, there is still a lack of integration of knowledge in Engineering, Mathematics, Sciences, and Technology. Additionally, there is a deficiency in activities that instill patriotic, religious, and royalist attitudes throughout the educational process. The results also highlight the inadequacy of facilities for accommodating online classes, despite measures being prepared for such a change. Furthermore, the results indicate a lack of promotion for a learning institute that consistently and systematically improves in every aspect, including educators, students, and educational support. There is also a need for fostering collaboration in research and development between organizations inside and outside of the Royal Thai Air Force. The guidelines for improving the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy curriculum, in accordance with the Royal Thai Air Force Strategy Plan (2018-2037), incorporate the "SMART" approach which can be broken down into: 1) Curriculum improvement according to STEM (Science + Technology + Engineering + Mathematics: S), 2) Curriculum management for excellence (Management Excellence: M),3) Development of Academic Facility Excellence (Academic Facility Excellence: A), 4) An enhancement of encouraging collaboration in Research and Development Excellence (Research & Development Excellence: R), and 5) An improvement in the curriculum to incorporate Training & Military Education Excellence (Training & Military Education Excellence: T). These approaches are proposed for improving and advancing the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy's curriculum following the Royal Thai Air Force Strategy Plan (2018-2037).