Efforts for Internationalizing Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (Rmutl) in Thailand in the Asean Era: a Qualitative Case Study

Abstract

The internationalization processes of numerous schools in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region have grown exponentially over the past few years. This study is designed to explore fundamental approaches and enhance efforts needed to internationalize a large public university in Northern Thailand, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna. Additionally, a qualitative approach and purposive sampling were applied in this study to gain rich perspectives from the in-depth qualitative interviews with 20 executives, 17 of whom are in top management at Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna. One participant is the former director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, and two participants are executives in Thai higher education institutions. Hence, we engaged in a qualitative case study in Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna to illustrate and extend current theory and research concerning internationalization of universities, both in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region and elsewhere. Furthermore, we present a proposed model with 10 essential elements to internationalize educational institutions in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations community era. Lastly, we provide recommendations for further studies and for administrators in Thai and Association of Southeast Asian Nation universities along with suggested activities and their purposes for administrators.

Internationalization of higher education in Thailand: Promises and reality

“…As subsequent administrations have not thoroughly carried out the initiatives from previous governments, the policies and goals mentioned above are still in various stages of implementation, and the academic institutions mainly implement internationalization. For example, Moussa and Somjai (2015) composed the approaches of three leading Thai universities (Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi) used to develop internationalization in their institution. These include the processes of:…”

“…The study stated that RMUTL tried to establish an international program by cooperation with an international university. However, they needed more support from the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) for credit evaluation and approval (Moussa & Somjai, 2015).…”