Abstract:
This research entitled Expectations and competencies in learning 21st century skills (5C) of students at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao aimed to investigate both expectations and actual competency in five cores 21st century skills: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Community Engagement. The target population comprised 266 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Pharmacy, years 1 through 6. A descriptive survey method was employed, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation, and the Modified Priority Needs Index (PNI Modified). The findings revealed that students competencies across all five skill areas were generally at a good level. However, gaps between expectations and actual performance were evident. Notably, Creativity ranked highest in terms of developmental need, indicating students desire for enhanced opportunities to generate and apply original ideas. Community Engagement followed, suggesting the need to better connect academic learning with real-world societal engagement. Communication and Critical Thinking skills also showed moderate PNI values, consistent with the academic requirements at the tertiary level where reasoned argumentation and expression are emphasized. Although Collaboration skills were found to be strong, there remained room for further development in fostering effective teamwork. The study also highlighted differences in expectations and competencies across academic years. Lower-year students tended to focus on personal development and adaptation to university learning, while upper-year students emphasized professional skills such as leadership, communication, and systems thinking. These insights are vital for guiding curriculum design, co-curricular activities, and the implementation of active learning strategies. Ultimately, the results support the alignment of educational practices with the demands of the 21st- century labor market and the holistic development of university graduates.