Developing a Manual and Building a Network for Teaching an Anti-Corruption Syllabus among Universities in the Upper Northern Region

Abstract

This research aims to: 1) develop a teaching manual in order to foster, raise awareness, and shape students’ opinions towards anti-corruption; 2) strengthen the network for teaching an Anti-Corruption syllabus among the universities in the upper northern region; 3) synthesize and evaluate the manual and networking. Mixed method research was implemented. The research locations were 12 universities in the upper northern region. The sample was selected by random sampling of 40 participants from each university, in total 480 participants, including administrators, teachers, staff, and students in those 12 universities. The data was analyzed by using basic statistics and a descriptive method was implemented to present the data. The findings show that:

1) The manual is comprised of 13 lessons. Each lesson was taught 3 hours per week for 15 weeks. The lessons include: (1) the definitions of corruption; (2) types and forms of corruption; (3) conflicts of interest; (4) causes and factors affecting the conflicts of interest; (5) the impact of corruption on politics, economy, and society; (6) the impact of corruption on the development and growth of Thailand; (7) causes and factors of corruption; (8) good governance at work; (9) policies and guidelines for good governance in public administrations; (10) international and national anti-corruption laws; (11) attitude and awareness towards the consequences of corruption; (12) the awareness of a good citizen on protection against corruption; (13) guidelines for self-improvement to avoid corruption.

2) The Anti-Corruption teaching network from 12 universities in Chiang Mai successfully designed the course syllabus with an integral collaboration from the administrators and experts. The course was suitable for the condition of Chiang Mai society. It was also based on the national policies regarding anti-corruption, aiming to raise awareness within society and to be alert in protecting against corruption.

3) The manual was evaluated by 7 specialists. The average level of quality was good. The average level of overall comments was excellent and, as a result, the manual can be beneficially used for teaching to achieve its objectives.