The Impact of ASEAN Economic Integration on the Thai Higher Education Policy and Plan

[摘要] This study investigated how the Thai higher education sector perceives the impacts and responses to the ASEAN economic integration. The cross sectional data comparison was used to identify the pattern of the administrators’ perceptions and policies. The comparison was based on the four types of higher education institutions and Office of the Higher Education Commission. Based on the EU and the Bologna Process experience, higher education is an integral part of regional political, economic, and social development. In a case of ASEAN, higher education was included in the integration process as a part of trade in services liberalization and a supporting sector to the regional development.Participants responded to an anonymous survey which asked how their institutions perceive and prepare for the potential impacts of the integration. The follow-up oral interviews and document reviews were conducted to seek additional data. The results exhibited that all types of institutions shared similar interests and concerns. However, each type of institution had different priorities and preparation. The result also demonstrated that every type of institution was facing similar challenges in the policy process, including policy clarity, government regulations, and budget inadequacy.

[发布机构] the University of Pittsburgh