Abstract:
To find foreign degree recognition factors and their relation, to construct mathematical models for foreign degree recognition for accessing into Thai graduate studies and to test the models founded by comparing Lao PDR's bachelor degrees with Thai's are the objectives of the study. The content analysis method are used to find out foreign degree recognition factors and their relations by scanning the literature related. Johnstone's concept of developing indicators is applied for constructing the mathematical models for foreign degree recognition for accessing into Thai graduate studies and to test the models founded by using the empirical data of the Lao PDR's and Thai's bachelor degrees. The results of the study are the following: Pre-university school years (X1), number of years of education required to complete the acquired qualification (X2), extent of courses in credits (X3), reputation of the institution conferred the degree (X4), number of credits for the major field of study (X5), and reputation of the program completed (X6). The Pearson's correlation of X1 and X2 is negative (r = -0.3912). For other factors, the data for analyzing the correlation coefficient is not found. Two mathematical models are founded. The first model is the model for pragmatic definition of an indicator (P), P = X1 + X2. And the second model is the model for theoretical definition of an indicator (X), X = 9.4 X1 + 8.4 X2 + 6.5 X3 + 4.0 X4 + 10.0 X5 or X = 9.4 X1 + 8.4X2 + 6.5 X3 + 9.0 X6. The condition for applying these models is that the consideration qualification is conferred by the institution which is recognized or accredited by authorized agency in the country which the institution located and under the assumption that the criteria for recognition or accreditation are similar or the same. In addition for the second model, it has to work under the assumption that the criteria for ranking the reputation of the institutions or fields of study are similar or the same too. For Thailand, there are no data for X4 and X6, so only X1, X2, X3, and X5 are taken into account in the second model. It is founded that if P is less than 16, 17 or 18 years or X is less than 1,226.4; 1,429.8 or 1,828.2; or 926.4; 1,129.8 or 1,528.2 for the same or similar fields of study of Thai qualifications (4, 5 or at least 6 years programs, respectively), are the substantial difference values which can not be recognized the qualification considering as equivalence to Thai bachelor degree in the same or similar field of study. The comparison of the bachelor degrees of Lao PDR with those of Thai by using the models founded. It gives some slightly difference results. All Lao PDR bachelor degrees, except Bachelor of Dentistry and Bachelor of Pharmacy, is equivalence to Thai bachelor degrees in the same or similar fields of study, when the first model is applied. But when the second model is applied, only X1, X2 and X3 are taken into account because Laosian's curriculums are not classified the structure of curriculums into major field of study, all Lao PDR bachelor degrees is equivalence to Thai bachelor degrees in the same or similar fields of study. The substantial difference values that the Lao PDR bachelor degrees can be recognized are that P not less than 16, 17 or 18 years or X not less than 926.4, 1,129.8 or 1,528.2 for 4, 5 or at least 6 years programs, respectively