Thailand Country Report 2008
on Electronic Learning
Prof.Dr. Srisakdi Charmonman
Chairman, Thailand Chapter
of the IEEE Computer Society
www.charm.au.edu
charm@ksc.au.edu
Keynote Address, IEEE Thailand Section International Conference
on Computer and Information Technology
Rama Garden Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, November 4-5, 2008
Thailand Country Report 2008
on Electronic Learning.
1. Introduction.
2. First eLearning Law in Thialand.
3. HM the King’s eLearning for School.
4. College of Internet Distance Education
of Assumption University.
5. Thai Cyber University.
2
Thailand Country Report 2008
on Electronic Learning.
6. Ph.D. Program in eLearning Mode.
7. Master’s Programs in eLearning Mode.
8. Bachelor’s Program
in eLearning Mode.
9. Certificate Program
in eLearning Mode.
3
Thailand Country Report 2008
on Electronic Learning.
10. Short Courses in eLearning Mode.
11. Individual Courses Not in eLearning
Degree Program.
12. Concluding Remarks.
4
1. Introduction



Electronic Learning or “eLearning”
is gaining more and more popularity
all over the world, including Thailand.
University level: no field of study
where eLearning is not used.
Short courses and training level:
formal academic institutions, learned
societies and companies are providing
eLearning.
5
Introduction (Cont.)
K12: State of Michigan passed the first law
in the world requiring eLearning
in high schools.
450,000 students to take eLearning.
K12: State of Florida passed a law
allowing K12 students
to study in eLearning mode
for all the courses, if anyone wishes.
6
Introduction (Cont.)

Time Magazine: By the year 2020,
eLearning will be the mainstream
and classroom learning the supporting
part.

All countries have established
or are in the process of establishing
eLearning programs.
7
Introduction (Cont.)

In the year 1999, Jones International
University became the first virtual
university to be fully accredited.

The University of Phoenix is the university
to have the highest net profit. In 2005,
Phoenix revenue was 2.251 US$ billion
and net profit of 444 US$ million
(about 17,000 million baht).
8
Introduction (Cont.)


Capella University
is the first virtual university
to enter Nasdaq.
On 25 April 2002, the Board of Trustees
of Assumption University approved
the proposal by the author to establish
the College of Internet Distance Education
(CIDE) with the author as Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(CEO).
9
2. First eLearning Law in Thailand.

On April 25, 2002, Prof. Charmonman
proposed and got approval from the Board
of Trustees of Assumption University (AU)
to establish the first eLearning College
in Thailand:
- The College of Internet Distance
Education announced that the College
would eventually serve 100,000 students
per year.
10
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)


If the College of Internet Distance
Education has 100,000 students,
at 100,000 baht each, the revenue
per year is 10 billion baht.
If the expenses are 6 billion baht,
the net profit is 4 billion baht per year.
11
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)

In the year 2002, he also met the Prime
Minister at that time and proposed
to him that Thailand legalize eLearning.
- The former Prime Minister agreed
and advised him to start the process.
- So, he sent a letter to the Minister
of University Affairs asking permission
for Assumption University to offer its
degree programs in the eLearning mode.
12
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)
- Prof. Charmonman also authored
the first draft of the first eLearning
decree in Thailand.
- The government established a committee
to consider the law and he was invited
to be a member.
13
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)

AU team met the Minister of University
Affairs and tried to convince him
to support eLearning.
- Rev.Bro.Dr. Prathip Martin Komolmas,
the President Emeritus.
- Rev.Bro.Dr. Bancha Saenghirun,
the President.
- Prof. Charmonman, the College CEO.
14
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)

As the Founder and Chairman
of ABAC Poll, Prof. Charmonman ordered
an eLearning survey in 2003 which
founded
- 77% of the sample were interested
in continuing their education through
eLearning.
15
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)

November 26, 2003,
the Ministry of University Affairs
organized an open hearing
on the eLearning law.
16
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)

As the President of the Computer
Association of Thailand
under the Royal Patronage
of HM the King,
- Prof. Charmonman presented
the draft law in the morning
and chaired the open hearing
in the afternoon.
- The results were used in modifying
the law.
17
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)

August 2004, Prof. Charmonman
was elected Chairman of e-ASEAN
Business Council.
- At that time, the Thai Government
had not passed the eLearning decree.
- So, he tried to get help from ASEAN.
- He proposed to the ASEAN Ministers
that eLearning be promoted
by all ASEAN member countries
and the Ministers agreed.
18
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)

Prof. Charmonman sent many letters
to the authorities.
- September 23, 2002,
he sent a letter to the Minister requesting
permission for AU to offer eLearning.
- September 15, 2003, he sent a letter
to the Prime Minister to speed up
the eLearning decree.
19
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)
- March 14, 2005, he sent another
letter to the Prime Minister that
Cambodia was ahead of Thailand
on eLearning and Thailand should pass
the eLearning decree as soon as possible
to be ahead of Cambodia.
20
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)

After 3 years, 5 ministers,
and many revisions of the eLearning law,
the decree to legalize eLearning
in Thailand was published
in the Royal Gazette on 26 October 2005.
21
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)

January 2006, AU became the first
university in Thailand to offer a complete
eLearning degree program,
Master of Science in Management,
with Prof. Charmonman
as the Program Director.
22
Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)

In 2006, AU offered
two MS degree programs
and Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology
which is the first such Ph.D. in the world.
23
3. HM the King’s
eLearning for School.

Information for this section
of this paper is from Khun Khwankeo
Vajarodaya’s keynote address
at the Fourth International Conference
on eLearning for Knowledge-Based
Society.
24
HM the King’s eLearning (Cont.)

On HM the King’s Fiftieth Anniversary
of Accession to the Throne,
the satellite tele-education
from Wang Klaikangwon School
was established with Khun Khwankeo
Vajarodaya in charge.
25
HM the King’s eLearning (Cont.)

1995 the first live satellite broadcast
of all secondary classes, Grade 7
to Grade 12 was launched to deliver basic
education to all remote school.

The project name is
“Distance Learning Foundation’s
eLearning to honour HM the King”.
(โครงการ DLF อีเลิร์นนิ่ง เฉลิมพระเกียรติ)
26
HM the King’s eLearning (Cont.)

The main objective is HM the King’s
educational policy of “Ob Rom Bom
Nisai” (อบรมบ่ มนิสัย) to teach and train
every child to be
- Good.
- Honourable.
- Economically sufficient.
27
HM the King’s eLearning (Cont.)

The Wang Klaikangwon’s model
of eLearning is
- Human oriented.
- Low cost.
- Free and open to all.
- The only system in the world
with operates in “Live one class,
one channel”
28
HM the King’s eLearning (Cont.)

The programs may be viewed through
- Satellite dish.
- UBC-True cable television.

The Wang Klaikangwon eLearning
project employs about 100 technicians
and 30 persons at Hua Hin Distance
Television Station and Bangkok Office.
29
HM the King’s eLearning (Cont.)

It is supported by
- FAO.
- UNICEF.
- WHO.
- UNESCO.
- Foreign embassies.
30
HM the King’s eLearning (Cont.)

The actual classrooms
Grade 1 to Grade 12
are used as studios.

Two cameras are used
for each classroom studio
- One on the teacher.
- One on the activities of the student
or the experiment.
31
HM the King’s eLearning (Cont.)

The Wang Klaikangwon eLearning
project includes 3 educational units
in the same compound, offering
“Full circle eduation”.
- Wang Klaikangwon School
which is HM the King’s private school
in Hua Hin which is about 200 kms
from Bangkok.
32
HM the King’s eLearning (Cont.)
- Vocational at Wang Klaikangwon
Vocational College.
- University at Rajamangala University,
Wang Klaikangwon Campus.
33
HM the King’s eLearning (Cont.)

As of the year 2007,
Wang Klaikangwon eLearning
is a network of
- 3,000 secondary schools.
- 15,000 primary schools.
- 5 universities in Yunnan, China.
- 3 schools in Laos.
34
HM the King’s eLearning (Cont.)
- One University and one junior college
in Vietnam.
- University of Distance Education
in Yanson, Myanmar.
- 15 Thai temples in Malaysia.
- etc.
35
4. College of Internet Distance
Education of Assumption University.

A success story is at the
College of Internet Distance Education of
Assumption University,
which is the first university in Thailand
to offer a complete university degree
program and the first university
in the world to offer the Ph.D. program in
eLearning Methodology.
36
CIDE of AU (Cont.)

October 2008, the College of Internet
Distance Eduacation of Assumption
University offers three complete eLearning
degree programs.
1) Master of Science in Management.
2) Master of Science in Information
and Communication Technology.
3) Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology.
37
1) Master of Science in Management.

There are over 300 students
in the Master of Science
in Management Program.
38
Master of Science in Management.

There are five majors:
- Small and Medium Enterprise
Management.
- Human Resource Management.
- Technology Management.
- Strategic Marketing Management.
- Business Management.
39
2) Master of Science in Information
and Communication Technology.

There are over 100 students
in the Master of Science in ICT Program
with 4 majors.
- Information Technology Major.
- Computer Communications
and Network Major.
- Computer Graphics
and Animation Major.
- Technology Management Major.
40
3) Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology.

Detail about Ph.D. in eLearning
Methodology will be given
in Section 6 of this paper.
41
4) Certificate Program for SMEs.



There are 18 courses available
to study free of charge
at www.eLearning.au.edu.
Those who pass the examination
will get a Certificate for each of the course.
Over 20,000 persons have registered.
42
5. Thai Cyber University.

Opened on January 12, 2005.

List of Thai Universities
in the Consortium:
- Chulalongkorn University.
- Kasetsart University.
- Naresuan University.
- Silpakorn University.
- Chiang Mai University.
- Mahidol University.
43
Thai Cyber University (Cont.)
- Mae Fah Luang University.
- King Mongkut's Institute
of Technology Ladkrabang.
- Sukhothai Thammathirat
Open University.
- University of The Thai Chamber
of Commerce.
- Rangsit University.
- Prince of Songkla University.
44
Thai Cyber University (Cont.)
- Burapha University.
- Rajabhat University.
- SrinakharinWirot University.
- Rajamangala University
of Technology Isan.
- Rajamangala Universiry
of Technology Krungthep.
- Rajamangala Universiry
of Technology Tawan-ok.
45
Thai Cyber University (Cont.)
- Rajamangala University
of Technology Suvarnabhumi.
- Rajamangala University
of Technology Phra Nakhon.
- Rajamangala University
of Technology Srivijaya.
- Rajamangala Universiry
of Technology Thanyaburi.
46
Thai Cyber University (Cont.)
- King Mongkut's Institute
of Technology Thonburi.
- Rajamangala University
of Technology Rattanakosin.
- Rajamangala University
of Technology Lanna.
- KHON KAEN University.
- Suranaree University of Technology.
47
Thai Cyber University (Cont.)

Statistics for the Thai Cyber University.
No. of registered users 55,195
- Students.
- Teachers
No. of courses.
No. of study programmes.
No. of course registrations.
No. of times students have studied
courses.
Universities in Consortium.
52,448
2,747
480
16
89,915
1,168,112
34
48
6. Ph.D. Program
in eLearning Mode.

Assumption University
is the first university in Thailand
to establish a college-level organization
specifically to offer eLearning.

The first university in Thailand to offer
complete eLearning degree programs.

The first university in the world to offer
a Ph.D. program in eLearning
Methodology.
49
Searching Google
for “PhD eLearning Methodology”.
50
Ph.D. Program (Cont.)

Searching for “Ph.D. eLearning
Methodology” from Google.
- The first five entries are about
Assumption University.
- The first entry is about the program.
- The second entry is about the College.
51
Ph.D. Program (Cont.)
- The third entry is
the Application Form.
- The fourth entry is about logging in.
- The fifth entry is a paper
about the program.
52
Ph.D. Program (Cont.)

As of October 2008,
the Doctor of Philosophy Program
in eLearning Methodology is the only
such program in the world.
53
Nationalities of Ph.D. in eLearning
Methodology Students.
Ph.D. S tudents at C IDE , 2007
T ha i
Ira n i a n
F i li p i n o
A u s tra li a n
N e w Z e a la n d e r
C a n a d ia n
P a ra g u a y a n
A m e ri c a n
V i e tn a m e s e
M ya nm e s e
B ri ti s h
R o m a n ia n
54
Nationalities of Ph.D. in eLearning
Methodology Applicants.
Ph.D. Applicants at CIDE
T hai
Ir a n ia n
F ilip in o
A u s tr a lia n
N e w Z e a la n d e r
C a n a d ia n
P a ra g u a ya n
A m e r ic a n
V ie tn a m e s e
M ya n m e s e
B r itis h
R o m a n ia n
G e rm a n
C h in e s e
Japanese
K e n ya n
S r ila n k a n ta m il
P a k is ta n i
S ri L a n k a n
G a m b ia n
55
7. Master’s Programs
in eLearning Mode.

Assumption University
offers 3 eLearning Master’s Degree
Programs.
- Master of Science in Management.
- Master of Science in Information
and Communication Technology.
- Master Science
in eLearning Methodology.
56
Master’s Program (Cont.)

The Master of Science Program
in eLearning Methodology
will be offered in January 2009.
57
Master’s Program (Cont.)

Chulalongkorn University
offers 5 eLearning Master’s Degree
Programs.
- Master of Nursing Science Program
in Nursing Science (M.N.S.).
- Master of Public Health Program
in Health Systems Development
(M.P.H.).
- Master of Arts Program in Cultural
Management (M.A.).
58
Master’s Program at CU (Cont.)
- Master of Nursing Science Program
in Nursing Administration (M.N.S.).
- Master of Sciences in Social
and Administrative Pharmacy
(International Programme),
Faculty of Pharmacy.
59
Master’s Program (Cont.)

Mahidol University
has one eLearning
Master’s Degree Program
under contents production process.
- Master of Science in Public Health,
Faculty of Public Health.
60
Master’s Program (Cont.)

Rangsit University
offers 2 eLearning
Master’s Degree Programs.
- Master of Arts Program
in Leadership in Society,
Business and Politics.
- Master of Science Program
Information Technology Management.
61
Master’s Program (Cont.)

University of the Thai Chamber
of Commerce offers one eLearning
Master’s Degree Program.
- Master of Business Administration.
62
Master’s Program (Cont.)

Chiangmai University
has one eLearning
Master’s Degree Program
under contents production process.
- Master of Education in English,
Faculty of Education.
63
Master’s Program (Cont.)

Silpakorn University
has one eLearning
Master’s Degree Program
under contents production process.
- Master of Arts
in Knowledge Managemet,
Faculty of Education.
64
8. Bachelor’s Program
in eLearning Mode.

Chulalongkorn University
offers one eLearning
Bachelor’s Degree Program.
- Bachelor of Science Program
in Software Development (B.Sc.),
Faculty of Engineering.
65
Bachelor’s Program (Cont.)

Naresuan University
offers one eLearning
Bachelor’s Degree Program.
- Bachelor of Business Administration
in Tourism, Faculty of Management
and Information Science.
66
Bachelor’s Program (Cont.)

Rangsit University
offers one eLearning
Bachelor’s Degree Program.
- Bachelor of Law Program.
67
Bachelor’s Program (Cont.)

University of the Thai Chamber
of Commerce offers one eLearning
Bachelor’s Degree Program.
- Bachelor of Accountancy.
68
Bachelor’s Program (Cont.)

Kasetsart University
offers one eLearning
Bachelor’s Degree Program.
- Bachelor of Sciences
in Automotive Industry,
Faculty of Engineering.
69
9. Certificate Program
in eLearning Mode.


Certificate Program
in SME Management
at Assumption University.
Certificate Program in eLearning
Professional at Thai Cyber University.
70
Certificate Program (Cont.)


Certificate Program in Car's Structure
and System at Thai Cyber University.
Certificate Program in Computer Skill
at Thai Cyber University.
71
Certificate Program in SME
Management at AU.

The program includes 18 courses
in 5 phases.

As of October 2008,
there are over 20,000 students
registered free of charge.

The total number of potential students
is over 2 millions.
72
1) Phase I.

Three courses completed
in July 2007.
SME101
Concepts of Starting SME Business
SME102
Introduction to Marketing for SME
SME103
Financial Management for SME
73
2) Phase II.

Three courses completed
in July 2007.
SME106
Sustainable Growth in SME Business
SME108
Creativities and Innovations for SME
SME109
Information Technology and
eCommerce for SME
74
3) Phase III.

Three courses completed
by December 2007.
SME105
SME107
SME110
Production and Service Management
for SME
Analysis of Trends, Opportunities and
Strategies for SME
SME Business and Advanced
Marketing
75
4) Phase IV.

Three courses completed
by December 2007.
SME104
Accounting and Budgeting for SME
SME111
Risk Management and Internal
Control for SME
Business Plan for SME
SME112
76
5) Phase V.

Six courses will be completed
in the year 2009.
SME 201 The Roles of the Office of Small
and Medium Enterprises Promotion.
SME 202 Promotion of Brand Names.
SME 203 Knowledge Management for SMEs.
SME 204 Cost Management.
SME 205 Import and Export.
SME 206 Supply Chain Management and Logistic.
77
10. Short Courses
in eLearning Mode.

Courses not in the degree program
are offered at many universities
such as:
1) Assumption University.
2) Thai Cyber University.
3) King Mongkut's Institute
of Technology Ladkrabang.
78
1) Assumption University.

Au-AVA Training Center
offers two Training Programs
for Computer Animation.
Both of them are for 12 months.
(1) 3D Animation Course.
(2) 3D Game Design Course.
79
(1) 3D Animation Course.

Course Contents:
- 3D Fundamentals.
- Professional Animation with
Softimage|XSI.
- Professional Animation
with 3D Studio Max.
- Professional Animation
with Alias Maya.
- Autodesk Character Studio.
80
3D Animation Course (Cont.)
- Mapping and texturing
with Adobe Photoshop.
- Simulation Design.
- Hair/Fur Design.
- Cloth Simulation.
- Fluid Design.
81
3D Animation Course (Cont.)
- Professional Movie Rendering
with Mental Ray.
- Film Editing with Avid Dv.
- Compositing with Autodesk
Combustion.
- Project Work.
82
(2) 3D Game Design Course.

Course Contents:
- Introduction to Game Design.
- Autodesk 3D Studio Max
for Level Design / Game Character
Modeling.
- Autodesk Maya for Level Design /
Game Character Modeling.
83
3D Game Design Course (Cont.)
- C++ / DirectX Programming
for Games.
- Realtime FPS Game Design.
- Unreal Technology.
- 2D Game Design.
- Online Game Design.
- Adventure Game Design.
- Project work.
84
2) Thai Cyber University.

Sample courses:
- Learning English.
- Open Source Software.
- Microsoft Computer Literacy courses.
- eLearning Thai Language.
- Presentation with media.
- Accessible Courseware Development.
85
3) King Mongkut's Institute
of Technology Ladkrabang.

Sample courses:
- Mini Master
of Networking Technology.
- Mini Master
of Java Technology.
- Mini Master
of Information Technology.
- Mini Master
of Networking Technology.
86
11. Individual Courses
Not in eLearning Degree Program.


There are many universities offering
courses not in eLearning degree program.
Some examples are given below.
Naresuan University offers 44 courses,
such as:
- Foundations of English 1.
- Engineering Mechanics 1.
- Principles of Accounting 1.
- General Psychology.
- Human Behavior.
87
Individual Courses (Cont.)
- Introduction to Pharmaceutics
for Doctor of Pharmacy.
- Introduction to Public Relation.
- Introduction to Communication Arts.
- Introduction to Business.
- Introduction to Political Science.
- Introduction Chemistry.
- Introduction Biology.
- etc.
88
Individual Courses (Cont.)

Mae Fah Luang University
offers courses in 6 faculties.
1) Liberal Arts.
2) Science.
3) Management.
4) Information Technology.
5) Agro-industry.
6) Law.
89
1) Liberal Arts.

6 Courses:
- Man and Society.
- Thai Language Skills.
- Cultural Studies.
- Arts of Speech.
- World Community.
- Politics.
90
2) Science.

2 Courses:
- Principles of Biology.
- Fundamentals of Ecology.
91
3) Management.

4 Courses:
- Organization and Management.
- Quantitative Analysis.
- Human Resource Management
and Organization Behavior.
- Business System Design.
92
4) Information Technology.

10 Courses:
- Information Technology 1.
- Information Technology 2.
- Infromation Technology Concepts.
- Principles and Practice
of Electronic Commerce.
- Industrial Management.
93
Information Technology (Cont.)
- Office Automation Management.
- Introducation to Multimedai
Technology.
- Data Structures and Algorithms.
- Microprocessor
and Assembly Language.
- Principles of Communication.
94
5) Agro-industry.

2 Courses:
- Introduction to Food Technology.
- Introduction
to Postharvest Technology.
95
6) Law.

6 Courses:
- Introducation to Legal Principles.
- Law of Persons.
- Property Law.
- Law of Juristic Acts and Contracts.
- Criminal Law1: General Principles.
- Constitutional Law.
96
Individual Courses (Cont.)

Chiang Mai Rajabhat
offers courses in 5 faculties.
1) Agricultural Technology.
2) Education.
3) Management Sciences.
4) Humanities and Social Sciences.
5) Science and Technology.
97
1) Agricultural Technology.

12 Courses, such as:
- Principles of Food Analysis.
- Principles of Pomology.
- Principles and Practices of Plant.
- Food Engineering.
- Science and Technology
in Plant Production.
- etc.
98
2) Education.

20 Courses, such as:
- Education Technology.
- Education Multimedia.
- Utilization of Mass Media
in Education.
- Information and Communication
Technology of Education.
- Computer Graphics for Education.
- etc.
99
3) Management Sciences.

7 Courses:
- General
- Economics.
- Marketing.
- Managing Human Resource.
- Accounting and Finance.
- Communication Arts.
- Business Computer.
100
4) Humanities and Social Sciences.

44 Courses, such as:
- Poems and Usage in English1.
- eLearning Course Development
(Workshop).
- Food and Beverage Operation.
- Literary Criticism.
- Korean Society and Culture.
- etc.
5) Science and Technology.

27 Courses, such as:
- Basic of Profession.
- Physics.
- Statistic.
- Architectural Technology.
- Product Design.
- Public Health.
- etc.
12. Concluding Remarks.

The first eLearning program in Thailand
is Distance Learning Foundation’s
eLearning to honour HM the King
and the program started
in the year 1995.
Concluding Remarks (Cont.)

The first Law to allow Thai Universities
to offer degree programs
in the eLearning mode
was published in the Royal Gazette
in October 2005.
Concluding Remarks (Cont.)

Assumption University
became the first Thai University to offer
a complete eLearning Degree Program
in January 2006, and the first university
in the world to offer
the Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology.
Concluding Remarks (Cont.)

By the year 2008, eLearning Programs
are offered in Thailand
at all of the levels:
- Ph.D. such as
Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology.
Concluding Remarks (Cont.)
- Master’s Degree such as
* MS in Management.
* MS in Nursing Science.
* MS in Health System Development.
* MS in Public Health.
* MA in Leadership in Society.
* MA in Knowledge Management.
* MBA.
* MS in Education.
Concluding Remarks (Cont.)
- Bachelor’s Degree such as
* BS in Software Development.
* BS in Automotive Industry.
* BBA in Tourism.
* Bachelor of Law.
* Bachelor of Accountancy.
Concluding Remarks (Cont.)
- Certificate Programs such as
* SME Management.
* Computer Skill.
* Car’s Structure and System.
Concluding Remarks (Cont.)



eLearning is for “Anyone, Anywhere,
and Anytime” and will be highly desirable.
All parties concerned in Thailand
should promote eLearning
for the benefits of the country.
All countries are also using eLearning.