Academic Strengthening Through a Multi-disciplinary …
491
This thesis-based Ph.D. program follows international practice in Australia,
Britain and Canada. Thus it differs from many programs of universities in Thailand that are often based on coursework. In abiding by international standards, the
resultant thesis exhibits its author’s understanding of the context of the work, its
contribution to world knowledge and its cohesion as a sustained logical exposition
(Thaksin University 2017). As such it offers wide international credibility, especially
in the ASEAN Region. The program is considered most appropriate for future academic development as ASEAN’s university sector becomes more international and
cohesive in character (Wongsothorn 1997).
Covering all disciplines common to comprehensive universities, the program follows the approach of Thaksin University’s motto that “morality and wisdom precede
development”, which translates directly in a sustainable development approach that
applies to fine arts as much as to technology, and as a consequence contributes to the
integrity of the region. Disciplines covered to date include: Social and Community
Development, Agriculture Science and Management, Natural Resource Management, Education Development, Art and Culture, Environment Science, and Business
Management among others (Thaksin University 2017).
The program’s academic governance is conducted by a committee that meets
quarterly and includes two University Vice Presidents (Academic and Finance),
experience graduate supervisors from the university and three senior international
academics from Australia and Canada.
To enter the program, candidates must have appropriate degrees or demonstrate
high-level equivalence from professional experience. Preparatory coursework is
assigned as required in such fields as research skills, reference library use, ethics,
plagiarism, intellectual property and writing. As the program adopts English as its
international language, all candidates whose prior qualifications were not undertaken in English in an English-speaking environment are considered on the basis of
tests including IELTS and TOEFL, supplemented by interviews with native Englishspeaking academics of the program. Credit transfers are allowed subject to entrance
requirements of the fee-based program. In addition to general university and government requirements, all candidates must agree that they will publish, as relevant, in
appropriate journals and in selected cases as a specially edited book through Thaksin
University Press. To date six books from the Ph.D. program have been published five
of which result from theses and one that presents a unifying context for the program’s
study of the region (Fig. 2). Print versions of the books are sold through the publisher and have also been made available online for free download. Scholarships are
offered for ASEAN candidates on a competitive basis to further spread the concept
of sustainable development being a border-transcending concept.
491
This thesis-based Ph.D. program follows international practice in Australia,
Britain and Canada. Thus it differs from many programs of universities in Thailand that are often based on coursework. In abiding by international standards, the
resultant thesis exhibits its author’s understanding of the context of the work, its
contribution to world knowledge and its cohesion as a sustained logical exposition
(Thaksin University 2017). As such it offers wide international credibility, especially
in the ASEAN Region. The program is considered most appropriate for future academic development as ASEAN’s university sector becomes more international and
cohesive in character (Wongsothorn 1997).
Covering all disciplines common to comprehensive universities, the program follows the approach of Thaksin University’s motto that “morality and wisdom precede
development”, which translates directly in a sustainable development approach that
applies to fine arts as much as to technology, and as a consequence contributes to the
integrity of the region. Disciplines covered to date include: Social and Community
Development, Agriculture Science and Management, Natural Resource Management, Education Development, Art and Culture, Environment Science, and Business
Management among others (Thaksin University 2017).
The program’s academic governance is conducted by a committee that meets
quarterly and includes two University Vice Presidents (Academic and Finance),
experience graduate supervisors from the university and three senior international
academics from Australia and Canada.
To enter the program, candidates must have appropriate degrees or demonstrate
high-level equivalence from professional experience. Preparatory coursework is
assigned as required in such fields as research skills, reference library use, ethics,
plagiarism, intellectual property and writing. As the program adopts English as its
international language, all candidates whose prior qualifications were not undertaken in English in an English-speaking environment are considered on the basis of
tests including IELTS and TOEFL, supplemented by interviews with native Englishspeaking academics of the program. Credit transfers are allowed subject to entrance
requirements of the fee-based program. In addition to general university and government requirements, all candidates must agree that they will publish, as relevant, in
appropriate journals and in selected cases as a specially edited book through Thaksin
University Press. To date six books from the Ph.D. program have been published five
of which result from theses and one that presents a unifying context for the program’s
study of the region (Fig. 2). Print versions of the books are sold through the publisher and have also been made available online for free download. Scholarships are
offered for ASEAN candidates on a competitive basis to further spread the concept
of sustainable development being a border-transcending concept.