Abstract:
This research aims at analyzing the best practices and proposing strategies of academic administration including developing an academic administration model which is suitable for autonomous universities in Thailand. Populations and sampling groups are divided into 2 types. Type I is a Documentation Resource on the best practice of academic administration from 5 universities both in and outside Thailand; Suranaree University of Technology, Walailak University, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), University of MelbourneAustralia and Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyU.S.A. Type II is a Human Resource of which consist 6 presidents and vice presidents, 30 executives with at least a director level and 12 KMUTT executives. Instruments using for the research are document analysis by content analysis technique, interview, rating scale and focus group discussion. The result of the best practice of academic administration of autonomous universities are shown as the followings. In term of administration: work manual and work flow as tools for the development of administration system, chairmen of such universities were well-known people in education, business or CEO from industrial sectors or large-sized successful companies, and retreats among university council and executives were organized for brainstorms. In term of alliance and network: there were industrial cooperative learning, international alumni network, universities off-shore office and international students organization development. In term of innovation and technology: there were faculty development academy organization, individual-based programs, active learning, software service on students knowledge and competencies, online training and multi-disciplinary. In term of new knowledge: there were clusters, area-based research, promotion to distinguished research lecturers, and community service organization. The academic administration model (The MAIN of Academic Movement Model) which was suitable for autonomous universities in Thailand included vision, missions, and goals. In term of vision, there were excellent in academic, flexibility towards administration and responsibilities to society. The components of the academic administration model consist of 4 main factors; management, alliance and network, innovation and technology, and new knowledge of which composed 12 minor factors; 1) administrative guidelines, 2) university council, 3) academic council, 4) collaboration with abroad, 5) collaboration with education institutions in the country, 6) collaboration with communities/industrial sectors, 7) technology and information systems, 8) instruction, 9) curriculum, 10) support on research, 11) research, and 12) the utilization of knowledge/academic services. Strategies on academic administration of autonomous universities can be divided into 3 levels; 4 organization strategies, 28 planning strategies and 80 projects/activities