A NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN SONGKHLA PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aims to assess the needs for leadership development among university students in Songkhla Province. This is a quantitative study employing a survey research design. The population consists of university students who hold leadership positions at various levels, including faculty/college representatives, club leaders, student councils, student government organizations, and student unions in five universities in Songkhla Province. These universities include Thaksin University (Songkhla Campus), Songkhla Rajabhat University (Songkhla Campus), Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (Songkhla Campus), Prince of Songkla University (Hat Yai Campus), and Hatyai University during the second semester of the 2024 academic year. The sample group consists of student leaders from Hatyai University, selected using cluster sampling through a lottery method. The research instrument is a questionnaire designed to assess the needs for leadership development across five dimensions, comprising 23 items. Content validity was examined using the item-objective congruence (IOC) index, which ranged from 0.67 to 1.00, while reliability was measured, yielding a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.85. Data were collected using a questionnaire, and the statistical methods used for data analysis included percentage calculations and the analysis of needs using the Pair Response Method (PNI_modified). The research findings revealed that the sample group had the highest need for the development of leadership skills in the following areas: teamwork skills, with a PNI_modified value of 0.75; followed by leadership skills, with a PNI_modified value of 0.74; and interpersonal skills, with a PNI_modified value of 0.70. Planning skills were ranked next, with a PNI_modified value of 0.62. The lowest need was found in communication skills, with a PNI_modified value of 0.58.