Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to investigate (1) the educational reform policy for autonomous universities, (2) the process of developing autonomous management, (3) the impact of the educational reform policy on autonomous universities and (4) achieved outcomes of the educational reform policy for autonomous universities. The study employed a qualitative method, for which the researcher collected documents and research papers on educational reform policy, performed in-depth interviews, and conducted participatory action research. There were 99 samples, consisting of 39 executive council members, 30 instructors, and 30 students from King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Suranaree University of Technology, Walailak University, Thaksin University, the Office of the Higher Education Commission and the Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (Public Organization).
The research findings were as follows:
1. The educational reform policy resulting from the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E.2540 (1997), the National Education Act B.E.2542 (1999) and subsequent amendments (Second National Education Act B.E.2545 (2002)) has led to the transformation of public universities into autonomous institutions, the introduction of laws establishing universities as juristic persons, autonomous management and academic freedom under the supervision of the University Council.
2. The autonomous management procedures must conform to the University Council policies, which vary according to the background and evolution of each university. The university president, selected through nomination, acts as a chief executive exercising over-all management. To attain effective development in academic standards and research for the benefit of the government and public, the president must have professional expertise, with advanced capabilities in management, fund-raising and endowment seeking, and creating cooperation networks at the national and international levels, as well as the ability to serve under the control and evaluation of the University Council. The Council is comprised of representatives from internal and external universities and is subject to the rules and procedures, supervision and oversight of the Ministry of Education and Bureau of the Budget.
3. The results of the educational reform policy were influenced by the executives seriousness in complying with the law, the bureaucratic values deeply embedded in individuals, the extent to which traditional rules and procedures were in compliance with the official regulations of the Ministry of Education and Bureau of the Budget, and the degree to which the focus was on procedures rather than results. These were crucial conditions for the successful implementation of the policy within the desired time frame.
Ultimately, it was found that changes would be successful if all participants acknowledged the increased benefits, both to individuals and to the public, of the new system over the old one.
4. Successfully achieving outcomes with the educational reform policy requires the following conditions: 1) The university president must be a management professional with a firm intention to abide by the law in order to encourage and avoid interfering with proactive operation. 2) Assets must be used to generate revenue and seek sources of endowment funds. 3) There must be unity within the organization, including both the bureaucracy and the other staff. 4) Academic works (Intellectual Heritage) must be utilized. 5) The university must have internationally acknowledged professors and experts.