Thailand realised the country needs to keep up with the development of the entire digital age globe. Therefore, Prof. Dr Sirirerk Songsiwilai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation emphasised the national universities’ important role in advancing digitalisation. The policy to direct the development of Thai universities toward becoming digital universities is also needed.
He encouraged universities to pursue digital technology development aggressively. Because the value of the world’s leading economies and organisations is always digitally related. More than half of technological advancement is done through digitalisation, which creates considerable changes. Thailand’s universities must be the driving force in the country’s development, using digital as a tool for growth to become more productive with minimal resources.
“To become a developed country in 2037, colleges play an essential role in building Thai people into digitally educated and developing technology in the future. Therefore, the university’s role in providing knowledge and expertise in digital use is critical. It should be ready ten years in advance,” Sirirerk noted while presiding over the webinar on the ‘Surveys on Transformation Readiness towards Digital University’.
The webinar examines the digital maturity model (DMM) and digital university transformation readiness. At the event, renowned presenters will share their knowledge of DMM tools and surveying preparation for university digital progress.
Universities must make the most of technology. It must be ready to make management organisations reduce expenses and improve efficiency. Universities must employ technology to maximise learning, such as through online education. It must also consider systems for other types of education, such as lifelong learning. To promote innovation and fully utilise all aspects and objectives, universities must integrate research missions with digital technologies.
Dr Wanchat Suwant Tokitti, Deputy Secretary-General, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, also highlights the usage of DMM technologies in the digital ecosystem for country development. DMM is vital in developing the approach that will drive the national plan.
Under the master plan National Economic and Social Development Plan national policies and plans on national security, the strategy intends to create concrete practise of quality management principles (PDCA).
To meet the country’s needs, the government needs to transform to do more with less digital technology. Because being a digital university can improve Thai people’s quality of life. Technology is also required to support the country’s context toward self-determination and to drive the organisation systematically and consistently.
“Doing DMM, don’t just stay within the university border, but must come out of the fence. Assist the country in developing and achieving its goals following the national strategy. Everyone is vital for equipping students and utilising digital to help the country prosper. Have a digital attitude and a strong desire to become digital.”
She anticipates that the university social service is critical and will create research and development academics that can be globally applied to the Thai social landscape in all areas. It also aids in monitoring and evaluating results to achieve progress and sustainability, requiring the information to be ready to use.
The use of DMM is founded on six principles: knowledge, virtue, perseverance, and getting up. Make decisions based on moderation, reason, and effect, and have a solution-finding immunity.
While Danairat Thanabodee Thammajaree, Supervisor of the Thai University to Digital University Project, discloses that DMM is an essential tool in reflecting readiness to change into a digital university with the support of the Science Promotion Fund Research and Innovation (CCD).
The method enables executives and operational levels to have a common understanding of university operations. It can be used to identify development concerns that align with the organisation’s aims. As a result, it encourages all sectors to collaborate by exchanging information and technology to create an ecosystem.
