Abstract:
This research aimed to study the current working arrangements of the offices of university councils in Thailand, as well as in other countries, in order to develop a prototype for university council offices in Thailand which would then be monitored and evaluated as to its suitability for wider use in Thailand. Data were collected from 9 public universities which were classified into 3 groups: Group 1 consisted of 2 autonomous universities; Group 2 consisted of 5 universities that have recently changed their status to autonomous universities; and Group 3 consisted of 2 public universities. The data were collected via interviews, survey questionnaires and focus groups. Interviews were conducted with 30 participants comprising chairpersons of the university councils, presidents, secretaries of university councils, office heads of the university councils, and experts in Higher Education. Survey questionnaires were conducted with 540 university personnel in Thailand and with university councils and offices of university councils in 4 other countries. The data collected were analyzed and synthesized to allow the development of a prototype for university council offices in Thailand. The finding of this study allowed a prototype to be developed which had 7main features. First, the aims for establishing office of university council were threefold: (1) serving and supporting the mission of the university council to ensure it functioned effectively; (2) serving as the main centre of information on the university council; (3) coordinating, monitoring and communicating policies from university councils to universities. Second, the management structure : (1) an independent agency under the university council; (2) while not having the status of a department; and (3) the secretary of the council is vice president for university council affairs. Third, the tasks of the office of university council were as follows: 1) scheduling the university council meetings; 2) operational tracking of the agreed meeting agendas; 3) appointing secretaries of committees of the council; 4) collecting, searching, analyzing, and synthesizing information for consideration by the university council; and 5) coordinating and collecting data for evaluation of management practices. Fourth, office personnel should consist of 1) 3-5 people for general administrative duties 2) Their capabilities should range over 3 levels with level 1 having general performance characteristics of officials/employees, level 2 having the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate documents and policies, and level 3 having analytical abilities and creativity in the development of the work of the council. Fifth, the resources :1) a budget supported by the university providing for ongoing needs including personnel development, database etc.,2) technology, such as computer networks, e-meeting, conference etc., 3) office space, of at least 120 square metres. Sixth, modern management and PDCA. Seventh, guidelines for developing1) networking 2) databases 3) human resource development 4) self-assessing 5) developing for the learning organization 6) planning the research analysis 7) planning risks of proactive working.