Friday September 18, 2020 at Rachaphruek 1-3, First Floor, Avani Khon Kaen Hotel and Convention Center, Khon Kaen – Office of Academic Development and Administration, Khon Kaen University held a seminar on Developing Graduates’ Qualities by means of Cooperative Education and Job Integration. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prapansak Chaweerat, Director of Office of Academic Development and Administration gave a reporting speech while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree Inprasitha, Vice President for Education and Academic Service presided over the opening ceremony. The seminar was honored to have Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Vice Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovations as one of the guest speakers. 53 personnel members from 16 institutions in the Upper Northeast participated.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prapansak Chaweerat, Director of Office of Academic Development and Administration related about the objectives of the seminar on Developing Graduates’ Qualities by means of Cooperative Education and Job Integration. First, it promotes and supports the use of resources, personnel and knowledge related to the instructional management of cooperative education and integration of instruction and work among the network institutions. Secondly, it enhances the competency of lecturers in the network, enabling them to understand how to develop the curriculum and instruction of cooperative education, and to integrate integrated education with the work. Finally, the seminar is a venue for exchanging knowledge and experiences in the management of the cooperative education system of the network institutions both domestically and abroad.
“We expect that from this seminar, administrators, lecturers, staff, and students in the cooperative education institution network in the Upper Northeast will understand more deeply about the instructional model of cooperative education instruction and integration with the work. Benefits will result in the network institutions that want to improve the integration of instruction and the work. In addition, the learning and sharing among institutions, lecturers, and the guest speakers will benefit the preparation of graduates with the required traits and the implementation of cooperative education of each institution in the future,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prapansak said.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree Inprasitha, Vice President for Education and Academic Service said that the national education policy emphasizes the importance of education that integrates knowledge and working in the real work places. Therefore, to produce graduates with the qualities that meet the needs of future employers, graduates-to-be must acquire practical experiences. More practicum hours have therefore been increased. All universities had to adjust in this regard in order to produce graduates for the 21st Century that are required by the workplaces. These graduates must possess practical skills and thinking skills together. Cooperative education, training, and teacher training are thus one of the means that will enhance the qualities of students according to the nation’s needs.
“An important element in leading cooperative education to success is the build different competency of instructors and personnel working in cooperative education unit. This is because most of the said personnel are usually familiar with teaching contents. So it is necessary to make them understand that practicum or the practice part of cooperative education is valuable, for the students would be able to acquire knowledge and understand from real working situation. This will be a lot useful for them after they graduate. They will be able to use the experience and knowledge in their training in their future occupation. Therefore, I hope that this project will principally assist in driving forward the cooperative education process and integration of work of each institution participating towards success. Finally, Khon Kaen University on behalf of the cooperative education network in the Upper Northeast thanks Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovations for the budget support for this seminar,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree said.
The seminar on Developing Graduates’ Qualities by means of Cooperative Education and Job Integration featured special talks from 6 guest speakers, including Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Vice Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovations who gave a talk on manpower development policy and promotion of curriculum to respond to the national strategies by means of cooperative education and working integration.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Keerawit Phetjul, Dean of Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Kalasin University; Khun Phakphum Sakolpap, a specialist in administrative tactics, Office of Executives, Betagro Public Company, presented a discussion and forum on the Efficient Design of Curriculum and Administration of Integrated Cooperative Education by Entrepreneurs: a Case Study of Agricultural Technology Program, Kalasin University and Betagro Public Company.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rittichai Pilachai, Vice President of Udonthani Rajabhat University; Asst. Prof. Dr. Keerati Sulak, Deputy Director of Center got Cooperative Education and Occupational Development from Suranaree University of Technology; Khun Naruchai Jaitrong, Consultant for Personnel Recruitment and former Personnel Administration Officer of the PTT Group, SCG, Kerry, and Bangkok Bank, joined in the discussion and a forum on How to Improve Cooperative Education to Answer the Issues of Human Potentials and Situations.
[ Thai ]
