The Study of Academic Mobility and Mobility Students in Thailand’s Tertiary Education

Abstract

This exploratory qualitative study aimed to 1) describe key features of academic mobility that are organized in Thailand’s tertiary education; 2) explore activities that can be organized to enhance academic mobility in Thailand’s tertiary education; 3) classify Thai students who are mobility students. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 8 purposely-selected persons, and documents and academic records. Three data analysis techniques were carried out: Typological Analysis, Component Analysis, and Constant Comparison. Results of the study suggest that academic mobility refers to activities organized in tertiary education level which allow teaching staff and students to move to another institution, inside or outside of their own country, to teach or study for a limited time. Tertiary education institutions in Thailand can enhance academic mobility through a wide range of activities, which can be classified into two main categories: Mobility Projects and Credit Transfer Curricula. Mobility students are students who join a mobility academic scheme of their institution and thus move to take part in an academic activity at the partner institution, for a period of 2 weeks to 2 academic years, while still maintain their student status at their home institution. Results of the study are framed as Academic Mobility and Mobility Students Framework, in which administrators and lecturers of tertiary education institutions in Thailand can draw upon in order to encourage academic mobility in their teaching staff and students.