CONCLUSION DISCUSSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusion
5.1.1 University Uniqueness, its Enhancement, and Methods for Using University Social Engagement Mission to Strengthen Kasetsart
University Uniqueness
The 1st purpose of this research was to investigate the preservation of the Kasetsart University uniqueness and the method of applying the university social engagement concept to strengthen this uniqueness. Based on data related to the university’s history, basic information, background of the university uniqueness, and enhancement of the university uniqueness, the following conclusions can be made.
5.1.1.1 Background and Kasetsart University Uniqueness
Kasetsart University is the first university in Thailand that provides training in agriculture and related subjects. It was founded in 1904 by beginning its training at a lower level comparable to non-graduate college before finally developing to the undergraduate and diploma levels. At that time the university was under the Ministry of Agriculture. Nevertheless, the university’s policies have been dynamic. In the first period, it placed importance on providing agricultural training by establishing related faculties including Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Cooperatives, and Faculty of Fishery. Therefore, the uniqueness of the university was shown through its expertise in agriculture. It formed a learning center and knowledge creation center in agricultural production fields such as plant sciences, animal
husbandry, fishery, and forestry, as well as other fields related to farm management such as cooperatives, irrigation, and economics. Additionally, the symbol and name of the university affected perceptions of service receivers, staff and the public that the Kasetsart University uniqueness was tied up with agricultural expertise.
After that, the university opened other faculties besides the Faculty of Agriculture, and built several related institutions to support research and academic outreaches. Later, the university formulated a policy to extend educational opportunities to the countryside by extending its campuses outside Bangkok. At present, Kasetsart University has three campuses: Kamphaengsaen Campus in Nakhon Pathom, Si Racha Campus in Chonburi, and Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus in Sakon Nakhon. The uniqueness of Kasetsart University regarding agriculture has expanded to its new campuses, especially Kamphaengsaen and Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campuses, where trainings are provided extensively together with the conduction of research and outreach activities to interested groups.
Before Kasetsart University changed its administrative system to become an autonomous university supported through block grant by the in 2015, there was an official uniqueness of university which began in 2010. At that time, Kasetsart University joined the National Research University program which made it to become a research university and created the uniqueness as “Kasetsart University aims to create knowledge of the land for the well- being of nation” . Consequently, the wording
“ Knowledge of the Land” has been widely used in the university. There is an explanation from top administrative team that the wording of “ creating knowledge of the land” came from the speech of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, about three levels of sciences: Sciences of the King; international sciences; and community sciences. The “ sciences of the King” , or the initiate ideas or programs of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with “international sciences” bound with widely recognized theories and form guidelines from the global scientific community, and the “community sciences” which are the accumulated knowledge found in each local community over years. These sciences have been used in Kasetsart University’s training system, especially in the Faculty of Agriculture which is the main faculty of Kasetsart University and other related faculties such as Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Social Science, Faculty of Humanity, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Agroindustry,
Faculty of Veterinary Science, and Faculty of Environment. The ultimate aim of this training to create well- being of the nation through sharing of knowledge and skills to improve quality of life, increase incomes, develop the economy, and foster happy families and community strength.
5.1.1.2 Process of Enhancing the Uniqueness of Kasetsart University The process of enhancing the uniqueness of Kasetsart University consists three steps: 1) to improve the uniqueness from placing importance on agriculture to cover all existing academic fields of training provided by Kasetsart University; 2) to promote the uniqueness by creating a secondary symbol to be used for reinforcing the perception of a global image of Kasetsart University; and 3) to enhance the uniqueness of Kasetsart University by applying its vision and strategic plan, building the historical center of Kasetsart University, increasing MOUs, making agreements between the administrative team and staff, and creating brand awareness among students and others.
5.1.1.3 The University Social Engagement Mission and Enhancement of Kasetsart University Uniqueness
The linkage between the university social engagement missions and enhancement of the uniqueness of Kasetsart University based on responses from key informants is promising. This started from the work the university undertaking to develop local communities leading to the positive consequences of trust and reliance between each other . The development of the university social engagement missions consists of four parts: 1) brainstorming and working together in partnership; 2) aiming at mutual benefits; 3) knowledge sharing between the university and local communities leading to knowledge scholarship development; and 4) measurable social impacts.
The method of using the university social engagement missions to enhance the uniqueness of Kasetsart University is based on five principles and concepts of development, as follows: 1) sufficiency economy; 2) working principles of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej; 3) participation development principles; 4) common goals setting; and 5) network creation and management. This involves three types of efforts: 1) building common thinking system, feelings, and social values towards the uniqueness of Kasetsart University by applying the sufficiency economy principle of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great to build a positive image of the
university; 2) creating a pathway for common goals and knowledge sharing regarding the uniqueness of Kasetsart University; and 3) making mutual benefits and social impacts. To fulfil these efforts requires network building and management between the university and a wider society.