Khon Kaen University has long and continuously advanced its internal quality assurance system, becoming widely recognized as “a leader in developing a strong and effective quality assurance system in higher education.” The University has consistently implemented policies and practices in line with the Office of the Higher Education Commission. Its “Quality Assurance for Excellence in Development” journey began in Academic Year 1996, when the University prepared guidelines and practices for quality assurance and undertook its first internal quality audit in Academic Year 1997, followed by the second and third audits in 2001 and 2003, respectively. At that time, assessments were conducted on a two-year cycle and were checklist-based, to verify compliance with prescribed criteria.

In Academic Year 2003, Khon Kaen University developed its own internal quality assessment indicators and criteria to align with its institutional and faculty contexts, comprising 7 components and 47 indicators, which were formally adopted in Academic Year 2004 and implemented until 2006.

In Academic Year 2006, the University further integrated its quality assurance system with the Public Sector Management Quality Award (PMQA) framework. This was the first year in which the University signed a performance agreement between the President of Khon Kaen University and the Secretary-General of the Office of the Higher Education Commission, in collaboration with the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC), to raise the quality of the Thai public sector. The framework aligned indicators with Category 7: Results, under the PMQA criteria, comprising 67 indicators at faculty level and 26 indicators at support unit level, continuing until Academic Year 2009.

In Academic Year 2010, the Office of the Higher Education Commission announced the adoption of the Education Criteria for Performance Excellence (EdPEx 2009–2010 version) as a framework for higher education management, aimed at raising Thai universities to internationally recognized standards. Khon Kaen University began to learn, adopt, and implement the criteria through organizational profile analysis and performance result tracking.

In Academic Year 2015, the University Council resolved to apply the Education Criteria for Performance Excellence (EdPEx) at both institutional and faculty levels (while program-level assessments continued to follow curriculum standards or other internationally comparable frameworks). This marked the beginning of a systematic and serious advancement in quality development, through a strategic plan consisting of:

1. Building knowledge and understanding among administrators at all levels
2. Conducting self-assessments under the EdPEx criteria
3. Preparing quality development plans
4. Writing self-assessment reports
5. Undertaking internal assessments using EdPEx
6. Sharing and exchanging best practices

By Academic Year 2016, Khon Kaen University encouraged and supported its faculties to join the EdPEx 200 Project initiated by the Office of the Higher Education Commission, spanning Cohorts 1 to 10. As a result, 13 faculties successfully participated in and passed the assessments.

In Academic Year 2018, Khon Kaen University received the Thailand Quality Class (TQC) Award, becoming the first university in Thailand to receive this award at the institutional level. Following this success, the University encouraged and supported its faculties that had passed EdPEx 200 to also apply for the award.

As a result, in 2021, the Faculty of Medicine received the TQC Award, while the Faculty of Dentistry was awarded TQC Plus (People). This achievement also led to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Waranuch Pitipat, D.D.S., who was then serving as Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, being honored with the Leadership Excellence Award 2023 by the National Quality Award Committee under the Thailand Productivity Institute. The award is presented to top executives who have continuously championed the adoption of the National Quality Award criteria within their organizations, leading to outstanding performance outcomes and recognition through the Thailand Quality Class Plus Award.

Continuing this momentum, the Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, was recognized with the TQC Award in 2024. This marks a significant achievement for Khon Kaen University in driving continuous quality development across all levels of education.

KKU Makes History! Becomes First Higher Education Institution to Win TQC+: Societal Contribution Award for Outstanding Contributions to Society, while the Faculty of Engineering Secures TQC+: Operation at the 23rd National Quality Awards for 2024.

The Thailand Productivity Institute, a network institute under the Ministry of Industry and the office of the National Quality Award, organized the 23rd National Quality Award Ceremony for 2024 to honor 12 Thai organizations committed to elevating their standards to international excellence. The ceremony was presided over by Mr. Phongphol Yodmuangcharoen, Secretary to the Minister of Industry. Also in attendance to honor the recipients and offer congratulations were Mr. Piyabutr Cholvijarn, Chairman of the National Quality Award Committee, and Mr. Surachet Polwanich, Acting Executive Director of the Thailand Productivity Institute. The event was held at the Aksra Theatre, King Power, on February 13, 2025.

จริญ เลขานุการรัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงอุตสาหกรรม ให้เกียรติเป็นประธานในการมอบรางวัล พร้อมด้วย นายปิยะบุตร ชลวิจารณ์ ประธานคณะกรรมการรางวัลคุณภาพแห่งชาติ และนายสุรเชษฎ์ พลวณิช รักษาการผู้อำนวยการสถาบันเพิ่มผลผลิตแห่งชาติ ร่วมเป็นเกียรติและแสดงความยินดี ณ โรงละครอักษรา คิง เพาเวอร์ เมื่อวันที่ 13 กุมภาพันธ์ 2568

   

This year, Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ratchaphon Santiwarakorn, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, led a team of university executives to receive two prestigious awards.

Khon Kaen University was awarded the Thailand Quality Class Plus: Societal Contribution, recognizing its excellence in management with outstanding contributions to society. This marks the first time a higher education institution has ever received this award. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Engineering received the Thailand Quality Class Plus: Operation, which honors its excellence in management with outstanding operations.