COOPERATION STRATEGIES BETWEEN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS ANDPROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE PROMOTION OF THAI HIGHEREDUCATION INSTITUTIONEXCELLENCE.
Abstract:
This research aimed to explore the current and desired state of and to conduct the SWOT analysis of the cooperation between higher education institutions and professional organizations for the promotion of Thai higher education institution excellence. It also proposed the strategies related to such cooperation. The samples included questionnaires with 30 professional organization administrators and 146 higher education institution administrators, interviews with 15 professional organization administrators and 15 higher education institution administrators and connoisseurship with 14 senior experts. The tools used in the research were documentary analysis form, questionnaire, interview form and strategy checklist form. The data analysis included content analysis, frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Modified Priority Needs Index (PNImodified) and t-test. Research results were: 1. In the perspective of professional organization administrators, the current and desired state of the cooperation between higher education institutions and professional organizations for the promotion of Thai higher education institution excellence was, in the overall picture, at an intermediate level ( = 2.58, SD = 1.11) and at a high level ( = 3.74, SD = 1.08), respectively. Meanwhile, higher education institution administrators viewed that the overall picture of current and desired state of such cooperation was at an intermediate level ( = 2.61, SD = 0.71) and at the high level ( = 4.30, SD = 0.61), respectively. With regard to the needs of the cooperation between higher education institutions and professional organizations for the promotion of Thai higher education institution excellence, the first three needs shared by the administrators of professional organizations and of higher education institutions were the administrationPNImodified of Prof.Org. = 0.71, PNImodified of HEI. = 0.77), curriculum PNImodified of Prof.Org. = 0.64, PNImodified of HEI. = 0.75) and academic services PNImodified of Prof.Org. = 0.58, PNImodified of HEI. = 0.71), respectively. 2. According to the SWOT analysis of the cooperation between higher education institutions and professional organizations for the promotion of Thai higher education institutions excellence, the strengths were 1) most of the committee of professional organizations were the faculties of higher education insitutions and 2) higher education institutions and professional organizations shared some common missions and goals in enhancing the professions towards the achievement of international-level quality and standards; the weaknesses were 1) higher education institution council lacked the representatives of professional organizations and 2) the professional organizations works were performed through the committee; however, most of committee members had their own full-time work or reside in upcountry resulting in the lack of work continuity and dedication; the opportunity was the professional organizations gained more social recognition so the cooperation between professional organizations and higher education institutions should be established in order to promote the societys confidence; and the threat was the professional organizations received few financial supports from the government. 3. The strategies of cooperation between higher education institutions and professional organizations for the promotion of Thai higher education institution excellence consisted of the Consensus towards the Excellence strategy, which was divided into the other 5 strategies (Conformity-Relations-Leadership-Support-Aid), 12 tactics, 13 measures and 55 programs/activities/practices.