Readiness to Launch a Bachelor of Public Administration Program at Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Mae Hong Son Campus

Abstract

This research aims to study the readiness of Chiang Mai Rajabhat University to launch a Bachelor of Public Administration Program at Mae Hong Son Campus. The researcher used qualitative research methodology and collected data from three university executives about the readiness to launch the Bachelor of Public Administration Program. The data was evaluated by content analysis and analytic induction obtained from the interviews. The result showed that 1) Organizational structure system readiness: Mae Hong Son Campus is ready to be an education management unit and be multidisciplinary and able to organize studies by the context of the area. 2) Policy readiness: The university has a policy for sustainable local development; therefore, it is clear to encourage the course opening to generate potential graduates who can develop their locality. 3) Personnel readiness: It was found that there was readiness on the part of support personnel; however, there still needs to be more academic personnel who must be qualified according to the curriculum standards set by the Office of the Higher Education Commission. 4) Other resources readiness: It was found that the building and facilities were ready; in other words, some administrative budgets depend on the number of students. 5) Community readiness, it was found that communities in the area can be a source of professional experience training for students. People attend and are ready to support their children to study if the curriculum is opened; moreover, government agencies are interested in reaching an agreement for personnel to enter education.