In-Country Program on APACC Post-Accreditation System in Thailand Conducted Online this Year

The Thai participants with CPSC experts convening through Zoom

The travel and mobility restrictions caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that affected all CPSC member countries did not prevent the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) and the Office of Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) in organizing an in-country program on Asia-Pacific Accreditation and Certification (APACC) Post-Accreditation System in Thailand.

The program was held from November 30-December 2, 2020 at the Bureau of Personnel Competency Development in Bangkok, Thailand. CPSC experts and OVEC & ONESQA officials delivered their presentations and participated in the program through the Zoom platform. The program was participated by 41 TVET officials, teachers and administrators representing all APACC Accredited Institutes from the Kingdom of Thailand.

The three-day program was organized for the participants to understand the OVEC policy on APACC and The Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA) Policy on Regional Accredited Institution. They were able to also understand and integrate ONESQA and APACC Criterion for Institution Quality Management. The inputs and exercises also enabled them to conduct preparatory activities for APACC reaccreditation, to maintain post APACC standards, and to apply the APACC, OVEC & ONESQA Standards in the management, and teaching learning system. The open forums allowed them to share experiences and problems on embedding APACC into management and teaching learning system. Lastly, they are also expected to prepare report on problems and recommendation on APACC implementation and maintenance.

Mr. Monthon Parksuwan, the Deputy Secretary – General of OVEC, Ministry of Education, Thailand was invited as the guest speaker during the opening ceremony. The program was supervised by Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane, CPSC Director General and Dr. Suthep Kaengsanthia, Secretary-General of OVEC. Program arrangements and coordination on CPSC’s side was spearheaded by Engr. Sanyog Bhattarai, CPSC Faculty Specialist. Local coordination was headed by Dr. Rangsan Thepmondhri, Director of International Strategy and External Relations Division, Bureau of Policy and Planning, OVEC, who also acted as a local resource person. Invited speakers and guests include Dr. Romulita Alto, CPSC Project-based Faculty Consultant; Mr. Laksasak Yangsaman, Policy and Planning Analysis at the Bureau of Policy Planning, OVEC; Dr. Somyoot Cheejaeng from ONESQA and Dr. Paiboon Saiyawongs, Consultant of APACC at the Office of Vocational Education Commission.

To date, Thailand has six APACC-accredited institutes namely: Ubon Ratchathani Vocational College (UVC); Siam Business Administration Nonthaburi Technological College (SBAC-NON); IRPC Technological College; Khonkaen Vocational College (KVC); Songkhla Vocational College (SVC) and Siam Business Administration Technological College (SBAC). All institutions received a Gold-level accreditation from APACC.

Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane addressing the session on behalf of CPSC.