Ex-post Evaluation

1. Outline of the Project

Country:

Thailand

Project title:

The Project for Development of Department the Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering at Pathumwan Technical College

Issue/Sector:

Cooperation Scheme:

Project-Type Technical Cooperation

Division in Charge:

Social Development Cooperation Department

Total Cost:

Period of Cooperation

(R/D) : March 1993
April 1993 - March 1998

(F/U) : April 1998 - March 2000

Partner Country窶冱 Implementing Organization:

Pathumwan Technical College (PTC), Department of Vocational Education, Ministry of Education (PTC)

Supporting Organization in Japan:

Related Cooperation:

1-1 Background of the Project

In recent years, industrialization of the economy in Thailand has been making rapid progress, and the increase in products such as IC parts for TV and other electrical appliances is especially remarkable. However, shortage of engineers is a serious issue against such a rapid development of the industrial sector. There is urgent need for high-quality personnel with practical skills who can respond to the especially rapid progress of technology.

With this background, in 1990, the government of the Thailand requested Grant Aid from the government of Japan, with the aim of improving equipment needed for electronic engineering education at Pathumwan Technical School, one of the main technical schools in Thailand. A project-type technical cooperation was also requested in order to upgrade the technical skills of the teachers at PTC, and to foster engineers with practical skills to help meet the demand for skilled personnel within the industrial sector.

1-2 Project Overview

This Project provided necessary technical transfer for the formulation of courses and the establishment of Faculty of Mechatronics Engineering (bachelor-level) at Pathumwan Technical School. As a result of a formal decision to convert the Pathumwan Technical School into Pathumwan Technical College (PTC) in 1997, a two-year follow-up cooperation program was provided, which focused on strengthening the management and operation of PTC so that it may respond to the upgrade of the college and work in connection with the industrial world.

(1) Overall Goal
To contribute to the industrialization of Thailand through human resource development.

(2) Project Purpose
To strengthen the capabilities of the mechatronics engineering course in the areas of research and education to produce qualified engineers with practical skills.

(3) Outputs
1) Sufficient number of teaching staff with qualified teaching and research capabilities at the bachelor degree level is ensured.
2) Curricula and syllabi for the bachelor degree courses in mechatronics are prepared, and appropriate education is provided.
3) Materials for the bachelor degree in mechatronics is prepared and utilized.
4) Appropriate facilities and equipment are improved and utilized for educational and research activities for the bachelor degree course in mechatronics.
5) Updated academic and technical information on mechatronics is made available for teachers and students.
6) Management and administration systems for mechatronics function effectively.

(4) Inputs

2. Evaluation Team

Members of Evaluation Team

Hanchai Sawangned, Kokusai Kogyo (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Period of Evaluation

December 11, 2002 窶錀 January 24, 2003

Type of Evaluation:

Ex-post Evaluation by Overseas Office

3. Results of Evaluation

3-1 Summary of Evaluation Results

(1) Impact
PTC窶冱 mechatronics department has produced about 300 graduates, with their employment rate being almost 100%. Most of them were employed within the private sector. After the Project was completed, two universities other than PTC started a new mechatronics department, but since there have not been any graduates from those schools as of yet, PTC has been the only supplier of students in this particular field. Also, these mechatronics students become highly involved in contests, winning top results in contests for energy conservations and robots. This contributes to the improvement of PTC窶冱 reputation. Since 2001, PTC has helped in the development of educational materials at three technical schools when they added mechatronics to their curriculum. Thus, effect of the Project has been disseminated beyond the scope of PTC.

(2) Sustainability
The Project helped PTC窶冱 mechatronics department to become the largest in Thailand. Even before 1998, PTC had been accepting talented students from technical schools. Since PTC will be able to award graduate credentials on an official basis starting in 2002, more students who wish to attend university are expected to become interested in PTC. PTC窶冱 distinguishing characteristic is its policy of training engineers who possess practical skills. In keeping with this policy, PTC provides opportunities for third and fourth year students to gain practical training at companies. Sixty-seven students received on-the-job-training (OJT) in 2003, half of which was corporate training.

Even after the Project was completed, PTC continued to develop educational materials, and prepared two texts in Thai this fiscal year. The mechatronics department窶冱 curriculum and syllabus were also revised, as it was required when the technological school became a college. Even after the Project was completed, PTC has continued its technical and academic exchanges with Japanese universities, providing a good opportunity for PTC to share technology and expand its knowledge on new technology.

During the Project窶冱 implementation period, the mechatronics department was not allocated sufficient funds for equipment, partially due to the fact that the department did not have university status. But a larger amount is scheduled to be funded starting this fiscal year. In FY2003, PTC窶冱 budget for purchasing equipment will be around 4.5 million baht, 45% of which is expected to go to the mechatronics department. Of the 20 instructors sent to Japan for training during the Project窶冱 duration, 15 are currently at PTC, showing a high retention rate. Currently, 11 of the 15 teachers have master窶冱 degrees and two have PhDs. The number of people earning PhDs is gradually increasing, but the percentage of university teachers with this degree should be raised even further.

3-2 Factors that Promoted the Realization of Effects

(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
N/A

(2) Factors Concerning the Implementation Process
There is a strong demand in the industry for graduates from a mechatronics department, and PTC has been able to accept talented students in general. Also, PTC窶冱 reputation grew due to its relationships with corporations forged through specialists and strong relationships with Japanese universities.

3-3 Factors that Impeded the Realization of Effects

(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
N/A

(2) Factors Concerning the Implementation Process
1) The Project was restricted by the fact that PTC was not an option for students interested in going to university because it was not able to provide university degrees until 1998. Moreover, it was not able to receive adequate funding from the government due to the fact that it was a technical school and due to the economic crisis.
2) Almost all of the mechatronics department teachers graduated from PTC when it was still a technical school. Their qualifications as teachers have become inadequate, now that PTC has gained university status.

3-4 Conclusion

This Project can be considered a success, in that it achieved its goal of supplying graduates from the mechatronics department to the industrial sectors. The necessary number of teachers and level of teaching skills have been maintained, and the equipment is utilized efficiently by teachers and students. Sustainability is very high. Through cooperation with Japanese universities, PTC current acts as a forerunner in the field of mechatronics in Thailand.

3-5 Recommendations

(1) PTC is aiming to train engineers with practical skills, but it must also strengthen its level of education in the areas of basic science and foreign languages, particularly English and Japanese, in order to meet university requirements and the needs of the market.

(2) Complex equipment must use external maintenance services. Since there are many expensive pieces of equipment, PTC should consider sharing them with other universities or other departments to ensure more efficient operation.

3-6 Lessons Learned

The Project was implemented under the condition that the mechatronics department would receive university status, but it did not actually receive this status until after the Project was completed. This resulted in problems with budget allocation. In the future, the Project team should conduct an adequate survey of the partner institution窶冱 state of readiness and acceptance capabilities.

3-7 Follow-up Situation

N/A