INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC CORPORATION WITHIN ASEAN UNIVERSITY NETWORK (AUN): A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITIES IN THAILAND

Abstract

This research, entitled International Academic Corporation within ASEAN University Network (AUN): A Case Study of Universities in Thailand, aimed to 1) examine the preparation of Thai higher educational institutions in stepping forwards to ASEAN Economic Community, 2) to study academic network establishment of Thai universities with other institutions in ASEAN, and 3) to examine the operation of AUN and comparatively study the operation of Thai universities which are members of AUN. The researchers used a qualitative research approach.

          The findings are as follows. 1) Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and Office of AUN Secretariat played important role in preparation of Thai higher educational institutions in stepping forwards to ASEAN Economic Community. 2) AUN was initiated under support from governmental section. 3) AUN activities was mainly the resolution of the meetings of member universities. 4) Becoming a member of AUN opened the door for Thai higher education institutions to internationalization. The member universities had to prepare all sectors within themselves. However, Thai students paid very little attention to neighbor countries. Although the cooperation among Thai AUN member universities was still loose, they all agreed upon the perspective that cooperation among Thai AUN member universities should be concretely firmer in the future.