Bild: Mit KI generiert.How does the Thai higher education system perform, where do its particular strengths lie, and how do Thai higher education institutions compare internationally? On behalf of Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), the CHE Centre for Higher Education carried out a comprehensive benchmarking of the Thai higher education system. With the publication of the final report, the project has now been completed.
The project aimed to establish a robust evidence base for the strategic development of higher education institutions in Thailand while enabling comparisons with European higher education institutions. The methodology was based on the approach of the European Higher Education Sector Observatory (EHESO), which builds on the experience of U-Multirank. Unlike traditional rankings, this approach does not reduce institutional performance to a single league table but considers several dimensions of performance separately.
69 higher education institutions and almost 20,000 students
For the benchmarking, institutional data from 69 Thai higher education institutions were brought together. The data were obtained both through a survey of the institutions and from official data provided by the Thai Ministry. Seven dimensions were analysed: Research, Resources, Teaching & Learning, Knowledge Transfer, Regional Engagement, International Orientation and Societal Challenges.
The institutional perspective was complemented by an extensive student survey. A total of 47 higher education institutions participated. Following data cleaning, responses from 19,698 students were included in the analysis. The survey covered, among other areas, quality of teaching, organisation of study programmes, practical experience, digitalisation, internationalisation, infrastructure, sustainability and diversity.
Different types of higher education institutions – different strengths
Above all, the results show that the Thai higher education system is highly diverse. Institutions do not follow a single performance profile but fulfil different and complementary functions within the system.
Frontier Research Universities demonstrate particular strengths in research, resources and international orientation. Technology and Innovation Universities have a stronger application- and innovation-oriented profile. Area-Based and Community Universities, with their strong regional focus, play a particularly important role in regional development and access to higher education. Specialised and Professional Universities demonstrate strengths particularly in teaching and learning and knowledge transfer.
At the level of the higher education system as a whole, Regional Engagement and Teaching & Learning emerge as particular strengths. Compared with the average of more than 3,400 European higher education institutions in the EHESO dataset, Thai higher education institutions also show a comparatively strong STEM orientation and high student numbers. At the same time, the results point to opportunities for further development in areas such as internationalisation, external research funding and entrepreneurial knowledge transfer.
Students rate their study experience positively
The student perspective also presents an overall positive picture. On average, almost all areas examined received ratings of at least four points on a five-point scale. Students rated diversity at their institutions, the organisation of study programmes and contact with teaching staff particularly positively.
At the same time, the results reveal differences between fields of study, types of higher education institution and governance types. The student survey therefore provides an important additional perspective alongside the institutional data and enables a more nuanced assessment of students’ learning experiences and study conditions.
A basis for further development of higher education
The project provides the participating higher education institutions and the Thai Ministry with a comprehensive evidence base for making institutional profiles visible, identifying strengths and recognising opportunities for further development. The international comparison also helps to place the specific characteristics of the Thai higher education system in the context of European higher education.
The full final report, including the methodology, results and detailed analyses, is available here: