A STUDY OF PROBLEMS AND GUIDELINES FOR ACADEMIC STAFF PROMOTION OF PHRANAKHON RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This research aimed to study 1) conditions and problems related to academic promotion of Phranakhon Rajabhat University’s instructors and 2) find the solution to develop and implementation of procedures for further professional pathways.  The research was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods. In qualitative approach, the data was collected by interviewing 10 people who were academic personnel, officers who were responsible for academic promotion procedures, and university administrators.  Additionally, the questionnaires were used in quantitative approach to collected data from 167 lecturers of PNRU. The findings were analyzed and described through frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation.   Also, content analysis was applied in the part of qualitative approach.
The results of problems related to academic promotion were separated into two categories: individual problems and administrative problems. For the individual problems, there were four main problems: the responsibilities of their duties or workload; a lack of motivation to produce their work as they had taken on more responsibilities by looking after their parents and families; a lack of a professional workplace that could not lead to the problem of developing their academic work; and a failure to understand rules, criteria, and procedures which was difficult to submit their work to the right track. The following issues were stated about the administrative problems: faculty and university.  The faculty faced a shortage of instructors in some areas. Moreover, they still had a problem of inactive work coordinate systems among major courses. At the university level, some instructors indicated that the good governance brought them unfair circumstances related to academic promotion. The solution to develop and implementing approaches were mentioned in several ways. The instructors needed convenient workplaces with computer systems and wifi to help them work effectively. Additionally, the university administrators should consider questions and implement good governance concepts into practice. This could lead to fair opportunities. As for policy and budget, the data revealed that instructors wanted to see good plans to help them work systematically. They also thought that the budget should be equally allocated to each major course. Therefore, the university should appoint supervisors to closely monitor the project.   Finally, staff development, it was also important for all. They said that the university should support instructors both in academic knowledge and morals. The university should provide good KPI and determine KPI performance that harmonizes with its staff. They still needed a practical and continual mentor system. Moreover, effective distribution of good quality information and criteria in academic ranks were very necessary.