Thai universities brace for the challenges posed by technology, demographics

[webfact]

Universities brace for the challenges posed by technology, demographics

By CHULARAT SAENGPASSA 
THE NATION 

 

Cr Dek-dee.com

 

THE COMING year will be challenging for Thai universities due to the falling birth rate, technological disruption and the fast-changing needs of students and employers, educators acknowledge.
 

No longer does the number university applicants dwarf the number of available seats. Even if high-school graduates are denied a place in the programme they favour, ample opportunities are available elsewhere.

 

The Thai University Central Admission System (TCAS) introduced last year has already generated statistics showing that universities must make significant changes to stay afloat and remain efficient and relevant. 

 

In number of applicants handled by TCAS in 2018 was far lower than the number of seats on offer, notes Suchatvee Suwansawat, president of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT). “And this year there is an even bigger difference.”

 

He said only about 300,000 students had applied so far for TCAS 2019, compared to 390,000 seats available at participating institutions. 

 

Suchatvee, who is also president of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, expects the coming year to put all higher-education institutes to a tough test. 

 

Compounding problems over Thailand’s birth rate, which has been on the decline for decades, is fast-evolving technology. Students can glean most of the information they need directly from Google searches, and many free or inexpensive tutorial courses are available online, including in the form of YouTube videos on a huge range of topics.

 

Deputy Education Minister Udom Kachintorn recently warned universities that if they do not adapt to the changes quickly, they would be “left behind”. He even predicted that several Thai universities would close or be merged with others in the near future. 

 

Rather than competing for a dwindling number of secondary-school graduates, Udom said, the universities should focus on upgrading the skills of the 35-million-strong workforce. The CUPT has established a University Learning Reform Committee to help educators adjust. 

 

Suchatvee said post-secondary institutions must offer more elective subjects, update their curricula and be more flexible. 

 

“It’s time we also thought about offering interesting courses to university graduates and to people age 60 or 70,” he said. 

 

Antika Sawadsri, dean of architecture at King Mongkut, urged universities to accept that they must do more than simply churn out graduates. 

 

“Conduct research and provide academic services in collaboration with the government and the private and civic sectors,” she advised. 

 

They should integrate more technology into their teaching and help enhance the value of what Thailand produces. She would like to see the schools serve as centres for lifelong learning. 

 

“Lecturers can’t just teach what’s in textbooks,” she added. “Their role must be about screening information and coaching.”

 

National Economic and Social Development Board secretary general Thosaporn Sirisumphand said his agency was trying to determine which professions were likely to be replaced by artificial |intelligence. 

 

Thosaporn expects the education sector, in particular vocational education, to keep pace with technological trends so that the workforce functions well in the future. 

 

“When investors look for skilled workers, we should be able to provide them,” he said. 

 

Vocational and STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – should be emphasised, he said, with educational institutes alert to new trends and shifts in context. 

 

Several universities are collaborating with the NESDB to address mounting challenges. 

 

Chulalongkorn University now has a “School of Integrated Innovations”. King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi has introduced several |initiatives. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30361382

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-31

 

[Fex Bluse]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“When investors look for skilled workers, we should be able to provide them,” he said.

But, you will not be able to because as much as you Thai pseudo elites bang on about improving the education for all Thais, you are more concerned with making sure the Thai Caste system does not change. 

 

How do you educate brown Thais but keep them locked into their usually lower status? 

 

You can't.

[thequietman]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“Lecturers can’t just teach what’s in textbooks,” she added. “Their role must be about screening information and coaching.”

As a lecturer in a Thai university, I can't tell the students about how the rest of the world does it and about how their text books are unsuitable for today's world. I can't tell them that if they don't work hard they will fail the course. because by doing so, I am rocking the boat. If too many students fail, my teaching methods are questioned, not the students work ethic.

 

The students get to assess me ! and so if I give them too much work to do, or I don't give them the grades they THINK they deserve, then I get punished via their poor review. I am then questioned as to my teaching abilities.

 

The Thai teachers play the game very well and give the students numerous opportunities to resit and redo everything. There is no downside to being a lazy student as they get to do it again and again until they get the desired result.

 

The strict defamation laws here don't allow a lecturer to teach about the real world and I always have to curb my lectures because of this. It is ridiculous.

[grumbleweed]

Quote

Thai universities brace for the challenges posed by technology,

Damn those two way light switches

[Enoon]

48 minutes ago, thequietman said:

As a lecturer in a Thai university, I can't tell the students about how the rest of the world does it and about how their text books are unsuitable for today's world. I can't tell them that if they don't work hard they will fail the course. because by doing so, I am rocking the boat. If too many students fail, my teaching methods are questioned, not the students work ethic.

 

The students get to assess me ! and so if I give them too much work to do, or I don't give them the grades they THINK they deserve, then I get punished via their poor review. I am then questioned as to my teaching abilities.

 

The Thai teachers play the game very well and give the students numerous opportunities to resit and redo everything. There is no downside to being a lazy student as they get to do it again and again until they get the desired result.

 

The strict defamation laws here don't allow a lecturer to teach about the real world and I always have to curb my lectures because of this. It is ridiculous. 

 

You are the "International Standards" in their advertising.

 

The drugged tiger in the temple zoo.

 

 

 

 

 

[overherebc]

1 hour ago, thequietman said:

As a lecturer in a Thai university, I can't tell the students about how the rest of the world does it and about how their text books are unsuitable for today's world. I can't tell them that if they don't work hard they will fail the course. because by doing so, I am rocking the boat. If too many students fail, my teaching methods are questioned, not the students work ethic.

 

The students get to assess me ! and so if I give them too much work to do, or I don't give them the grades they THINK they deserve, then I get punished via their poor review. I am then questioned as to my teaching abilities.

 

The Thai teachers play the game very well and give the students numerous opportunities to resit and redo everything. There is no downside to being a lazy student as they get to do it again and again until they get the desired result.

 

The strict defamation laws here don't allow a lecturer to teach about the real world and I always have to curb my lectures because of this. It is ridiculous.

My niece and her husband teach in UK, 15 and 16 year olds, and if students fail exams they have to write reports on how and why without trying to make the student look dense.

I once suggested that the report should be on the lines of, if this student was less intelligent he would be stood in the corner and watered daily.

At least students fail unlike here where as you say everyone gets a pass.

[Eligius]

1 hour ago, thequietman said:

As a lecturer in a Thai university, I can't tell the students about how the rest of the world does it and about how their text books are unsuitable for today's world. I can't tell them that if they don't work hard they will fail the course. because by doing so, I am rocking the boat. If too many students fail, my teaching methods are questioned, not the students work ethic.

 

The students get to assess me ! and so if I give them too much work to do, or I don't give them the grades they THINK they deserve, then I get punished via their poor review. I am then questioned as to my teaching abilities.

 

The Thai teachers play the game very well and give the students numerous opportunities to resit and redo everything. There is no downside to being a lazy student as they get to do it again and again until they get the desired result.

 

The strict defamation laws here don't allow a lecturer to teach about the real world and I always have to curb my lectures because of this. It is ridiculous.

Very true post, above. And the imposed censorship and self-censorship in university teaching has got worse and worse under the military junta. 

Thailand is now fully and firmly detached from all reality and truth, from all morality, ethics and progress.

 

UNLESS THE THAI PEOPLE REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE LEGALLY SOVEREIGN IN THEIR OWN LAND (but they need an education even to realise and understand that liberating political concept!), THE BACKWARDNESS OF THIS COUNTRY WILL CONTINUE INDEFINITELY.

 

 

Edited December 31, 2018 by Eligius

[TPI]

44 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

You are the "International Standards" in their advertising.

 

The drugged tiger in the temple zoo.

 

 

 

 

 

Hear hear!

[Orton Rd]

They are not real Universities on the world stage and western 'lecturers' criticising them while taking their payments are not very ethical. If they are that bad and there is nothing you can do about it then leave and stop being part of the problem.

Edited December 31, 2018 by Orton Rd

[blackcab]

An off topic post has been removed.

[Ossy]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Students can glean most of the information they need directly from Google searches,

And, more often than not, presented in a way that will not only be meaningful and relevant to their career objectives, but be both interesting and attractive, too . . . something that Thai universities will never be able to achieve as long as the present staffing structure, presentation methods and management persists.

[Orton Rd]

39 minutes ago, overherebc said:

I would say because there must be times when he gets a good intelligent student who passes well on their own merit and that would feel rewarding.

If intelligent they pass well in spite of the system not because of it, what about the other 98%?

[Odysseus123]

Good post-but you need to remember that this is a self regulating 'imagined reality' culture and society.

 

That is why I am fascinated by Quietman's post as he described the process very well-at least as it pertains to education.

 

Curiously enough I have had people whose views I respect say to me that the 1990's were an interesting period because Thailand appeared to be genuinely opening up to the world but that the door was slammed shut in the new century.

 

In Thailand it is far better to lie early and lie often than challenge another..

Edited December 31, 2018 by Odysseus123

[Ossy]

2 hours ago, thequietman said:

As a lecturer in a Thai university, I can't tell the students about how the rest of the world does it and about how their text books are unsuitable for today's world. I can't tell them that if they don't work hard they will fail the course. because by doing so, I am rocking the boat. If too many students fail, my teaching methods are questioned, not the students work ethic.

 

The students get to assess me ! and so if I give them too much work to do, or I don't give them the grades they THINK they deserve, then I get punished via their poor review. I am then questioned as to my teaching abilities.

 

The Thai teachers play the game very well and give the students numerous opportunities to resit and redo everything. There is no downside to being a lazy student as they get to do it again and again until they get the desired result.

 

The strict defamation laws here don't allow a lecturer to teach about the real world and I always have to curb my lectures because of this. It is ridiculous.

Valid observations and comments, for sure, but couldn't - or wouldn't - most of these shortcomings be remedied by a government-driven reform of the entire teacher/lecturer training programme and, always the optimist, might such an initiative come about, once a proper - caring! - government comes to power? Who knows, this might all start to happen within the next few months . . . yeh, come on, Ossy . . . time for walkies.

Edited December 31, 2018 by Ossy
clarity

[fruitman]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

“It’s time we also thought about offering interesting courses to university graduates and to people age 60 or 70,” he said. 

 

So those old people can fix their own wheelchairs?? That's what i would do anyway, wouldn't trust the thai technicians.

[thequietman]

1 hour ago, overherebc said:

I would say because there must be times when he gets a good intelligent student who passes well on their own merit and that would feel rewarding.

True. There are some that make the job worthwhile and they get rewarded with a fairly high score in relation to their English abilities. 

 

For the other poster who called me a coward, at least I am trying to make a small difference. All you need to do is plant a subtle seed and then watch them google what it is that I want them to know, on their phones.

 

First plant the seeds and then watch the tree grow. Baby steps my friend, baby steps!

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, thequietman said:

As a lecturer in a Thai university, I can't tell the students about how the rest of the world does it and about how their text books are unsuitable for today's world. I can't tell them that if they don't work hard they will fail the course. because by doing so, I am rocking the boat. If too many students fail, my teaching methods are questioned, not the students work ethic.

 

The students get to assess me ! and so if I give them too much work to do, or I don't give them the grades they THINK they deserve, then I get punished via their poor review. I am then questioned as to my teaching abilities.

 

The Thai teachers play the game very well and give the students numerous opportunities to resit and redo everything. There is no downside to being a lazy student as they get to do it again and again until they get the desired result.

 

The strict defamation laws here don't allow a lecturer to teach about the real world and I always have to curb my lectures because of this. It is ridiculous.

Well said.

 

I picked up on "...being a lazy student...". A quick comment but a comment which is so important. Until the young uni students realize they must also do some work (starting with listening and understanding), and get over their small brain egos and get over their 'entitlement' (i go to university / i have a degree but I don't understand anything I was taught and I'm not interested anyway (I did attend some lessons, what more do you want) / and I'm entitled to a higher salary because I have a degree / and in some cases I'm entitled to a manager job because I have a degree.

 

The first step is listening and asking clarifying questions and knowing that I have understanding (rather than I learned some sentences from the textbook but I don't understand them.

 

An example, not long back in a bachelor business course (english program). One girl never stops chatting to and annoying other students close by. I tell her numerous times / other students tell her numerous times to stop talking. She never even listens to my / other students request to stop chatting. Plus regular long calls in the class room, and her phone confiscated.

 

The lesson before the final exam I devote several hours to a comprehensive course review.

 

I ask the whole class 'what is globalization?'.  Girl above stands up and starts to walk out. I stop her in the middle of the room and ask her to answer the question ('what is globalization?'.) She looks vague, then says 'ohh it's all about studying hi-technology'. The whole class laughs. I ask her does she need to go to the toilet. 'No', so I tell her to sit down.

 

A few minutes later I ask the whole class 'what is competitive advantage?' Many hands shoot up, I notice the girl mentioned above on another student's phone. I call her out to the front of the room, and I ask her again 'what is competitive advantage?' She stands there looking blank then suddenly says 'ohh it's all about studying hi-technology'.

 

Next day she hands in a blank final exam answer book. She gets F. Parents come in and ask the director (I was in the discussion) why their daughter doesn't receive personal coaching instead of being in a class?  

 

Director asks if the girl has any learning difficulties, answer is strongly 'NO'. Director asks parents why she should get personal coaching instead of being in a class? 

 

The director involved is patient but only up to a point. Parents waffle about 'more flexible timing', 'more prestigious to tell their friends' and ask if her whole class can be rescheduled so that her father can sit in the room on Sundays. 

 

Director says not possible for father to sit in the class room and asks 'do you really expect the whole class to change to a different timing, which will create much conflict across other class schedules for most of the students?'

 

Answer 'yes please.'

 

Director asks about her previous high school education - very old style very large government high school 60+ students in the class. Teachers mostly identify the intelligent students and move to the front, teacher gives them some attention, rest of the class is ignored and in class hours the 'rest' allowed to just play in the back of the oom / outside the room. (Teacher has a microphone and loud speaker so noise from the 'rest' not a problem'

 

Pure rote learning for those at the front, the rest ignored, plus deep belief that understanding is not needed (almost not allowed), just remember the rote answers. But of course nobody ever fails anyway.

 

All of the above automatically transfers to the university class room in terms of attitudes and behaviors of the students. 

 

Back to basics please.

 

Worth sharing, I get continuous requests from graduated bachelor students for a letter of recommendation to include with a job application. I actually give recommendation letters to about 1% of my old students, the rest I refuse by e-mail and in the same mail ask 'give me 3 outstanding examples of why you are entitled a to recommendation letter'.  Some respond with annoyance 'but why can't you just help me.' (Over the years I've had 5 or 6 requests for rec. letters as follows, 'I didn't attend any of your classes but my friend say you are very kind, so can you please give me a rec. letter').

[overherebc]

57 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Well said.

 

I picked up on "...being a lazy student...". A quick comment but a comment which is so important. Until the young uni students realize they must also do some work (starting with listening and understanding), and get over their small brain egos and get over their 'entitlement' (i go to university / i have a degree but I don't understand anything I was taught and I'm not interested anyway (I did attend some lessons, what more do you want) / and I'm entitled to a higher salary because I have a degree / and in some cases I'm entitled to a manager job because I have a degree.

 

The first step is listening and asking clarifying questions and knowing that I have understanding (rather than I learned some sentences from the textbook but I don't understand them.

 

An example, not long back in a bachelor business course (english program). One girl never stops chatting to and annoying other students close by. I tell her numerous times / other students tell her numerous times to stop talking. She never even listens to my / other students request to stop chatting. Plus regular long calls in the class room, and her phone confiscated.

 

The lesson before the final exam I devote several hours to a comprehensive course review.

 

I ask the whole class 'what is globalization?'.  Girl above stands up and starts to walk out. I stop her in the middle of the room and ask her to answer the question ('what is globalization?'.) She looks vague, then says 'ohh it's all about studying hi-technology'. The whole class laughs. I ask her does she need to go to the toilet. 'No', so I tell her to sit down.

 

A few minutes later I ask the whole class 'what is competitive advantage?' Many hands shoot up, I notice the girl mentioned above on another student's phone. I call her out to the front of the room, and I ask her again 'what is competitive advantage?' She stands there looking blank then suddenly says 'ohh it's all about studying hi-technology'.

 

Next day she hands in a blank final exam answer book. She gets F. Parents come in and ask the director (I was in the discussion) why their daughter doesn't receive personal coaching instead of being in a class?  

 

Director asks if the girl has any learning difficulties, answer is strongly 'NO'. Director asks parents why she should get personal coaching instead of being in a class? 

 

The director involved is patient but only up to a point. Parents waffle about 'more flexible timing', 'more prestigious to tell their friends' and ask if her whole class can be rescheduled so that her father can sit in the room on Sundays. 

 

Director says not possible for father to sit in the class room and asks 'do you really expect the whole class to change to a different timing, which will create much conflict across other class schedules for most of the students?'

 

Answer 'yes please.'

 

Director asks about her previous high school education - very old style very large government high school 60+ students in the class. Teachers mostly identify the intelligent students and move to the front, teacher gives them some attention, rest of the class is ignored and in class hours the 'rest' allowed to just play in the back of the oom / outside the room. (Teacher has a microphone and loud speaker so noise from the 'rest' not a problem'

 

Pure rote learning for those at the front, the rest ignored, plus deep belief that understanding is not needed (almost not allowed), just remember the rote answers. But of course nobody ever fails anyway.

 

All of the above automatically transfers to the university class room in terms of attitudes and behaviors of the students. 

 

Back to basics please.

 

Worth sharing, I get continuous requests from graduated bachelor students for a letter of recommendation to include with a job application. I actually give recommendation letters to about 1% of my old students, the rest I refuse by e-mail and in the same mail ask 'give me 3 outstanding examples of why you are entitled a to recommendation letter'.  Some respond with annoyance 'but why can't you just help me.' (Over the years I've had 5 or 6 requests for rec. letters as follows, 'I didn't attend any of your classes but my friend say you are very kind, so can you please give me a rec. letter').

Friend of mine was told to stop allowing the students to ask him questions.

Reason given was 'what if you don't know the answer,' you will lose face.

His answer ended his stint at the school, I never lose face, that only happens with children.

[scorecard]

29 minutes ago, overherebc said:

Friend of mine was told to stop allowing the students to ask him questions.

Reason given was 'what if you don't know the answer,' you will lose face.

His answer ended his stint at the school, I never lose face, that only happens with children.

More, I've aware of 2 universities which provide both Thai and English programs (exactly the same curriculum) and a few Thai professors have been asked to present the English language version of the courses, the Thai professors concerned all speak advanced English.

 

They declined to conduct the English version classes.

 

Why? Because these classes all have some exchange students, mostly from Europe, and Germany dominates, and the Thai professors were frightened the exchange students might ask questions.

 

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

They are not real Universities on the world stage and western 'lecturers' criticising them while taking their payments are not very ethical. If they are that bad and there is nothing you can do about it then leave and stop being part of the problem.

Quaint comment.

 

By the way is / was your employment a perfect scenario?

 

[Krataiboy]

Not just here, but across the world it's time to rethink an outdated state education models increasingly out of step with the rapidly-changing needs of society.

 

This won't happen, of course, if politicians, civil servants and assorted others who benefit from the present inefficient and costly systems can help it. Most of their kids go private.

 

Joe Public should be encouraged to seize the initiative. Over the next few decades, most families will find themselves with at least one parent at home, made redundant by the roll-out of robotics and AI.

 

What a wonderful opportunity to homeschool our own children, using the rapidly expanding range of online learning sites - and without any of the usual state brainwashing.  Just think of the savings in time, energy and money.

 

The technology is already available.  Where there's a will. . . 

 

Edited December 31, 2018 by Krataiboy

[scorecard]

2 minutes ago, Krataiboy said:

Not just here, but across the world it's time to rethink an outdated state education models increasingly out of step with the rapidly-changing needs of society.

 

This won't happen, of course, if politicians, civil servants and assorted others who benefit from the present inefficient and costly systems can help it. Most of their kids go private.

 

Joe Public should be encouraged to seize the initiative. Over the next few decades, most families will find themselves with at least one parent at home, made redundant by the roll-out of robotics and AI.

 

What a wonderful opportunity to homeschool our own children, using the rapidly expanding range of online learning sites - and without any of the usual state brainwashing.  Just think of the savings in time, energy and money.

 

The technology is already available.  Where there's a will. . . 

 

 

And Singapore announced perhaps 2 months back that their current examination factors / structures will soon be changed to focus on being prepared for life.

 

[Ajarnbrian]

Students with initiative (and Thailand has many) can use Khan Academy, Coursera, Edex, Youtube videos and free textbooks online for learning about almost any subject. Getting into an elite university is about the credentials for your learning, not necessarily the same thing. Yes, universities need to catch up and it`s my guess the less prestigious will become irrelevant and left behind.

[Ossy]

46 minutes ago, scorecard said:

And Singapore announced perhaps 2 months back that their current examination factors / structures will soon be changed to focus on being prepared for life.

And what a sad contrast of approaches and energies, Singapore makes with Thailand. And for the government and University Education bosses to appear oblivious to this comparative failing or, worse still, simply to be unconcerned, simply fills me with despair for the generations lining up for the 'treatment' . . . well, you certainly can't call it 'education'.

[NCC1701A]

came to Thailand five years ago. Everyone keep telling me you are too late, Thailand is changing. Glad to see they were wrong.

[overherebc]

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

More, I've aware of 2 universities which provide both Thai and English programs (exactly the same curriculum) and a few Thai professors have been asked to present the English language version of the courses, the Thai professors concerned all speak advanced English.

 

They declined to conduct the English version classes.

 

Why? Because these classes all have some exchange students, mostly from Europe, and Germany dominates, and the Thai professors were frightened the exchange students might ask questions.

 

I would love to see a certain few on 'Hard Talk' on the BBC.

????????????

[thequietman]

8 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

They are not real Universities on the world stage and western 'lecturers' criticising them while taking their payments are not very ethical. If they are that bad and there is nothing you can do about it then leave and stop being part of the problem.

Sorry, no! I would rather stay and hopefully contribute something towards the solution. All lecturers are critical in all institutions both in and outside Thailand and we certainly do earn our salaries.

 

By your reasoning, I should stay there, ignore the shortcomings and then take the salary. That way taking the salary is ethical. Hopefully, you now see the stupidity in your comment. Happy New Year to you. ????

[anon537687643]

As a lecturer in a Thai university, I can't tell the students about how the rest of the world does it and about how their text books are unsuitable for today's world. I can't tell them that if they don't work hard they will fail the course. because by doing so, I am rocking the boat. If too many students fail, my teaching methods are questioned, not the students work ethic.
 
The students get to assess me ! and so if I give them too much work to do, or I don't give them the grades they THINK they deserve, then I get punished via their poor review. I am then questioned as to my teaching abilities.
 
The Thai teachers play the game very well and give the students numerous opportunities to resit and redo everything. There is no downside to being a lazy student as they get to do it again and again until they get the desired result.
 
The strict defamation laws here don't allow a lecturer to teach about the real world and I always have to curb my lectures because of this. It is ridiculous.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt! By teaching in a Thai uni it just a case of “playing the game “ and making everything comfortable for yourself and the students, right up to graduation ceremonies !


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[thequietman]

10 minutes ago, markaoffy said:

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt! By teaching in a Thai uni it just a case of “playing the game “ and making everything comfortable for yourself and the students, right up to graduation ceremonies !


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Tis true BUT a little bit of me dies inside when I see a complete shambles of a student/students graduating.

 

As you say, 'it's the game' and I am trying to be ethical whilst looking after my family. However, it seldom turns out how I would like it to. 

[scorecard]

24 minutes ago, thequietman said:

Tis true BUT a little bit of me dies inside when I see a complete shambles of a student/students graduating.

 

As you say, 'it's the game' and I am trying to be ethical whilst looking after my family. However, it seldom turns out how I would like it to. 

All well said, and let's not forget that 99% of universities all over the world are hotbeds of argument, disent, internal fighting, etc., etc. Perhaps longer-term this produces advancements. Who knows?

 

Edited December 31, 2018 by scorecard