Approaches for Managing Academic Collaboration Networks in Thai Language Departments of Universities in Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China

Abstract

           This research aimed: 1) to study the management of academiccollaboration networks, 2) to develop approaches for managing academiccollaboration networks in the Thai language department at Yunnan University, China 3) to evaluate the approaches for managing academic collaboration networks in the Thai language department at Yunnan University, China. This multi-phase mixed-method research involves in-depth interviews with purposive sampling of 10 people, research questionnaire data were collected from sample group including administrators and teachers in the Thai language department and International Relations Department at Yunnan University, totaling 102 people, and focus group discussions with 8 experts. The research tools include in-depth interviews, rating scale questionnaire, and evaluation forms for academic collaboration management approaches. The statistical analysis methods include mean, standard deviations, and content analysis.
           The research findings indicate that 1) the management of academic collaboration networks includes aspects of network management such as leadership characteristics, network operations, and activities to enhance network operations, as well as academic management such as curriculum management, teaching and learning, performance assessment, development of media, innovation, and technology for education, internal supervision in educational institutions, and research and development. 2) The approaches for managing academic collaboration networks include 3 main aspects: leadership characteristics, network operations, and activities to enhance network operations, as well as academic management including curriculum management, teaching and learning, performance assessment, development of media, innovation, and technology for education, internal supervision in educational institutions, and research and development. 3) The evaluation results of the management approach for academic collaboration networks show that leadership characteristics have the highest possibility with µ = 4.63, network operations scored the highest in both utility and accuracy with µ = 4.75, and activities to enhance network operations are the most accurate with µ = 4.88, while academic management is also accurate with µ = 4.75.