Udon Thani Rajabhat University and the Development of Local Educational Quality: The Dimension of Education and Culture Emphasizing Creativity and Sustainability

Abstract

Background and Aims: This article aims to study the role of Udon Thani Rajabhat University in developing the quality of education in the local area, focusing on the implementation of the 20-year strategy of Rajabhat University for Local Development (2017–2036), which determines Rajabhat University as the main mechanism for local development through the production and development of teachers, research, teaching and learning management, and the creation of cooperation networks with local partners, especially through the implementation of 2 important projects: the Education Fund School Project and the Border Patrol Police School Project.

Methodology: The study methodology is based on the analysis of policies, strategies, and strategic action plans of the university, including the evaluation of the results of fieldwork operations in target schools through the integration of the roles of students and lecturers in the Faculty of Education with local communities and educational institutions.

Results: The results of the study found that the university was able to develop a quality internship training model by integrating academic knowledge with actual practice in the area through the development of the curriculum, promoting the characteristics and competencies of teachers at both the student and in-service teacher levels, and promoting contextual learning in Border Patrol Police Schools and Education Fund Schools, in line with the goals of sustainable local development.

Conclusion: The development of the quality of education in the local area requires a systematic mechanism that links educational institutions, communities, and network partners, with the university as the center for driving educational policies in the area. Through the production and development of teachers to understand the local context and be able to apply knowledge to solve real problems in the area effectively.