The Initial Impact of ODIs on Lecturer Commitment to Thailand Qualification Framework, Quality Assurance, and Quality of Teaching: A Case Study of Suan Dusit Rajaphat University

Abstract

To accomplish the main missions of higher education, which are teaching and researching, Quality Assurance (QA) plays an important role. QA is now also related to the Thailand Qualification Framework (TQF) which was established as a policy leading tool in Section 4 of the National Education Act B.E. 2543(2000) and the Amendments to the Second National Education Act B.E. 2545(2002). This article aims to identify, design and implement the appropriate ODI that enhances and improves TQF and QA. Suan Dusit Rajabhat University is the focus of this study. The action research framework employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches for deeper investigation. The researcher set up TQF and QA coaching and training groups to support the TQF and QA’s elements on awareness, understanding and commitment. The results show that the independent variables, TQF and QA. are significant to the dependent variable, which is teaching quality, at the 0.01 and 0.05 levels and there are differences between pre- and post-ODIs on Faculty’s commitment to TQF, QA and teaching quality at the 0.01 and 0.05 levels. The results prove that TQF and QA have to be supportive of each other. The awareness of TQF and QA is underpinned to TQF and QA understanding and commitment.