Area-Based Education: A Transformative Approach to Public Administration Program
Keywords:
Area-based education, Transformation, Public administrationAbstract
Area-based education (ABE) in a public administration program is an innovative approach that seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice by immersing students in specific geographical contexts. This transformative educational model emphasizes contextual understanding, community engagement, practical experience, interdisciplinary learning, policy analysis and development, networking and collaboration, cultural competence, research and data collection, leadership development and sustainable development policy to prepare future public administrators for the complexities of public service. This academic article attempts to explores the key competences and benefits of area-based education, highlighting its role in cultivating informed and effective public servants. Additionally, it illustrates some case study of public administration program in Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Thaksin University playing the model of area-based education in Songkhla province, Thailand.
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