Faculty Members’ Perception of the Thai University Administration Model in the Digital Age

Abstract

        The objectives of this research were (1) to study the Thai university administration model in the digital age, (2) to compare the opinions of faculty members toward the Thai university administration model in the digital age, and (3) to propose the Thai university administration model in the digital age. The researcher used a questionnaire with IOC at 0.87 and reliability at 0.91 to collect data from 400 faculty members on a voluntary basis. The data were analyzed by percentages, means, standard deviation, t-test, one-way ANOVA, LSD and content analysis. The results were in three folds. First, the Thai university administration model in the digital age holds four aspects: (1) production of graduates, followed by (2) research, (3) academic services to communities and (4) promotion of Thai art and culture. Prompt actions are required for teaching via web/e-learning tools, accelerating teachers’ development to create a new body of knowledge, and increasing online innovations.   The policy and plans for the production of graduates in the digital age are the urgent matters of the university. Encouragement for the dissemination of more international research, involvement of the community to join the university as a digital society, and promoting digital citizenship in preserving Thai cultural traditions are to be recognized by the new generation and the world community. Second, the faculty members with different academic experiences and positions had different viewpoints statistically significant at .05 in overall and across all aspects of the model. Third, the proposed university administration model in the digital age has its focus on development of modern technology networks, digital media center, and digital skills development for faculty members, students and support personnel. Urgently needed is research into teaching materials development, obstacles in online learning and teaching, digital learning exchange activities, digital community involvement, and methods of authentic assessment and evaluation to cope with rapid changes in the years to come.

 Keywords: Thai university administration model, digital age, production of graduates, research,

                   academic services, cultural promotion, community involvement