A Development of a Regulatory Framework for Quality Aassurance of Cross-Border Higher Education in Thailand
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Abstract
This research aims to study an external quality assurance (EQA) of cross-border higher education in Thailand and to develop a framework for monitoring the quality assurance of cross-border higher education in Thailand. The method used is based on qualitative research by applying documentary research, conducting an in-depth interview with key informants was 6 from 6 Thai universities, The interviewees are knowledgeable person, and have first-hand experiences on such quality assurance, and analyze by the content analysis.
The results illustrated the following; (1) the external quality assurance of cross-border higher education reflects two significant issues, including the corporation among universities as service providers and the connection between an internal and external of quality assurance, (2) the problem of monitoring the external quality assurance of cross-border higher education of Thailand. The overviews of the concerns are separated into two points, namely (1) at policy level. Regarding this stage, there is an unclear policy on which department will be responsible for the external quality assurance. Furthermore, there are no specific roles in such designated department. (2) the problem in Thailand university’s practice such as the different contexts in the university as a service provider and the university as a service receiver such as, an obstacle to the movement of people, the learning resources, and an allocation of resources. 3) Framework on the monitoring of the external quality assurance of cross-border higher education of Thailand can be divided into two parts. The First one is a procedural framework, in terms of this concept, they include national policy, the university council, laws and relegations do all actions. The latter is an assurance in procedural matter. Regarding this, the five topics should be taken into considerations particularly, the meaningful public participation of relevant stakeholders, the process of Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA), Outcome-Based Education (OBE), Transparency, and Accountability and the Systematic Collaborative.
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