Higher Education in Thailand Institutions in Practice Chaidarun Iamphak Office of the Higher Education Commission Ministry of Education

Thai Education Policy’s Equation Thai Education Policy Framework The 10 th National Economic and Social Development Plan The 2 nd 15-Year Long Range Plan on Higher Education Government Policy Ministry of Education’s Policy Reform of education system Articulation of all levels of education Governance and financing Teacher and education personnel development Enhancement of education quality Accessibility to education and life-long learning Employability of graduates, role of real sector, and enhancement of national competitiveness Reform of education system Articulation of all levels of education Governance and financing Teacher and education personnel development Enhancement of education quality Accessibility to education and life-long learning Employability of graduates, role of real sector, and enhancement of national competitiveness

From Policy to Practice Quality 9 Centres of Excellence and 9 National Research Universities Developing Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) Grouping of Higher Education Institutions University Staff Development Strategic Fellowship for Frontier Research Networks Student and Staff Mobility Articulation of all levels of education New Generation of Teachers Project Accessibility to Education Student Loan Fund 15-Year Free Education Project Information Technology Infrastructure: Expansion of UniNet to Ned-Net and Virtual Campuses Content: Thailand Cyber University University - Industry Linkage University Business Incubator (UBI) Technology Licensing Office (TLO) Commercialization of Research: technology transfer and body of knowledge development

Four Leagues of Thai Universities according to the New 15-Year Plan of Higher Education II ( ) 1.Research Universities with Graduate Schools 2.Universities with Fields of Specialization 3.Teaching Universities with Undergraduate-Level Emphasis 4.Community Colleges 4

Various Groups of Universities in Thai Higher Education System 5 24 MUA’s universities Rajabhat Universities 9 Rajamangara Universities +1 >70 Private Universities

Thailand National Research University Initiative A high priority of the current government’s policy An innovation of Thai Higher Education Aiming to achieve an international standard of excellence while upholding social responsibility Aiming to lead Thailand to become ASEAN’s Education Hub 6 Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit Minister of Education Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva Prime Minister

Thailand National Research University Initiative: A high priority of the current government’s policy 2009 is the year for the quality of Thai university education and the beginning year of the second round of Thai education reform. the “National Research University Development Initative” has been thus an important policy of the government. This policy also aims to classify universities in Thailand into four groups according to the 15 Year Higher Education Plan II ( ). The Initiative is a part of the economic stimulus package 2 under the so-called “Stronger Thai 2012 Project” The cabinet has approved the project on 6 May 2009 with a budget support of 9,000 million Baht (~ 250 million USD) for 3 years ( ) 7

Thailand National Research University Initiative: An Innovation of Thai Higher Education The very first time for Thailand to establish the National Research University (NRU) League. NRUs aim to achieve simultaneously on their research excellence and social responsibility by focusing their research on the country’s pressing issues. NRUs act as the catalyst in improving the overall quality of Thai higher education system. NRUs to aim to improve the country’s competitiveness, including support the country’s new status to become Asian’s Education and Research Hub.. The management of NRUs plays vital role in setting their research budget, directions and uniqueness. 8

Khob Khun Mak Kha Thank you for listening