Assistant Professor Dr Somay Fussard, Chancellor, Rajamangala University of Technology (RMUTT), Thanyaburi, said: “RMUTT Thanyaburi started the experimental cooperative education project since 2001, starting with the College of Engineering. The College of Business Administration and later was expanded to include all colleges of the university. Because they want each course to gain professional experience in cooperative education, work-integrated education, and cooperative and work-integrated education (CWIE). Last year 2023, there were approximately 4,000 students participating in the cooperative education program. Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi attaches great importance to this, making the graduate production meet the needs of the institution. Students get real-world experience before working. Currently, there are 1,500 agencies and institutions participating in the cooperative project, including expanding the cooperative project to foreign countries. Students will train in research institutes. Leading universities and companies such as Japan, China, Indonesia and America offer scholarships to students who go abroad for training.
“In this regard, by sending students to perform cooperative education work in various institutions, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyapuri has followed up and listened to the feedback from various agencies as well. In the academic year 2022 and 2023, the institutions were satisfied with the work with student performance reaching 93.83%. There is a desire to accept 89% of students who join the cooperative education after graduation, and in addition to that, the institution suggested that the university focus on practical teaching rather than theoretical, because it will be beneficial for the students when they enter the labor market, including allowing students to practice using the equipment. Real life inside the university to learn the basics and extend the cooperative training period for more than 4 months.
Rajamangala University of Technology Chancellor Thanyapuri also said that it is a reflection of the institution. The university established an internal department responsible for cooperative education. Jointly developing curricula and a model for updating professional experience for student training Currently there is a new graduate programme, the CWIE programme, which operates in the workplace for more than one semester. Which meets the needs of the facility. In addition, the university has supported the budgets of lecturers who work as supervisory lecturers to attend intensive training courses for supervisory lecturers to gain knowledge, understanding and the ability to solve students’ problems effectively during their work.
In addition, in terms of students Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi organized activities to enhance students' skills, such as basic knowledge about the form and process of professional experience training. Personal development Professional ethics Standard system for ensuring quality and work safety Use of English for communication Report writing Presentation planning skills General knowledge about IT and IT laws Taking students to see work in professionally related institutions. In order to prepare students before working in the workplace as well.
“The fact that Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyapuri has been running a cooperative education program for 20 years is believed to be an important passport for university students who have jobs immediately upon graduation. Some branches have more than 90% because the institution is looking at them from the training period. As for the problems or suggestions that Submitted by Institutions to the University Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyapuri is willing to make improvements. It will benefit the students and the university as these will be reflected in the employment numbers of graduates. Students who graduate and are immediately employed is another milestone for the university.
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