Abstract:
To propose a model to develop directors of nursing colleges under the Ministry of Defence on their academic roles. To fulfill the purpose of this study, the descriptive research design was used. The research process was comprised of 7 procedures which were 1) review of literature and related documents, 2) study of job analysis through synthesis documents, interview of the related personnel, 3) study of nursing directors' academic roles, 4) study of the differences in mean scores between the actual practice and the anticipate academic roles, 5) use the result of the study to draw of the drafted model. 6) verify of the drafted model in terms of contents and concepts, and 7) modify the proposed model and present the research findings. An analysis and synthesis of documents, questionnaire, and interviews were employed as research instruments. The subjects of this study consisted of executive officers, nursing directors, teaching staff, and experts in the field. A study of academic roles revealed nine academic roles according to the academic network as follows 1) curriculum administration, 2) instruction administration, 3) media and library, 4) supervision and staff development, 5) measurement and evaluation, 6) research and academic production, 7) provision of academic services in society, 8) cultural promotion, and 9) quality assurance. The findings regarding academic roles, in practice behaviors, revealed the following seven roles: 1) the role of individuals with academic creativity, 2) the role of individuals who improve and develop academic work, 3) the role of individuals who provide acceptance of and support for academic work, 4) the role of academic advisors and assistants, 5) the role of academic speakers, 6) the role of academic coordinators, and 7) the social role in academic work. The measurement of the above seven academic roles, at both actual practice level and the anticipated level, to determine the differences in the mean scores and the paired t-test employed, pointed out that there were statistically significant differences at the .01 level. The academic ranking was done based on the differences between actual practice and expectations as well as developmental significance. Upon the above findings, the drafted model was developed. Experts were asked to verified the suitability and possibility of the model on its contents and concepts. A seminar was conducted to verify the appropriateness and feasibility of the model on its application, as well. The principle factors in establishing and developing the proposed model were comprised of six factors as follows: 1) flexibility, 2) self-learning, 3) on-the-job training, 4) participatory approach, 5) systematically implication, 6) evaluation and assessment. Then, the proposed model was modified and presented. The proposed model was comprised of 4 parts as follows: Part 1) the academic roles needed to be developed, Part 2) the principles of model's defining and objectives, Part 3) the developmental process which were divided into five procedures: a) Needs assessment, b) Preparation for readiness, c) Employment, d) Practicum, and e) Evaluation. The employment itself was comprised of 3 different areas; 1) the development of academic leadership personalities, 2) the development of acquired knowledge and competency, and 3) the development of general administrative competency. Part 4) the direction for application and conditions. It is recommended that the content and the concept of the model must be studied prior to using the model.