UVC On-Site Visit Report

APPENDIX A: COMMENDATIONS, AFFIRMATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Criterion 1: Governance and Management Commendations 1. Strong teamwork is evident led by the Director and Deputy Directors. 2. College’s drive to be recognized in national and international scene by participating and winning in various festivals and competitions, such as the Snow Sculpting Festival in Harbin, China and International Candle Sculpting Festival with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Affirmations 1. Vision and mission statements are disseminated to stakeholders in various platforms. One is online via UVC’s website landing page and cover photo of UVC’s Facebook profile. Another one is a foot note of the college’s letterhead, billboard posters/banners which are updated annually, weekly newsletters, yearbooks, internship journals, pamphlets, students’ notebooks, and in the QR code. 2. Vision and mission statements are reviewed every 5 years. UVC involves all stakeholders by collecting inputs from them (e.g. alumni, industries, students and parents) through meetings and conferences. 3. UVC formulates policies and arrives at management decisions through the administrative board which is composed of 23 members (Director, Deputy Directors and Heads of Departments). 4. The College Board, on the other hand, which is composed of 18 committee members / stakeholders, provides external management support by rendering feedback and suggestions on the proposed policies presented at least every year. 5. The college conducts internal quality audit every year, usually in May, following the Internal Assurance System of OVEC and ministerial regulations. Aside from APACC, UVC also submits itself to another external assurance system in Thailand i.e. Office of National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA), which is done every five years. 6. Financial management officials meet 7 times a year for the presentation and approval of proposals, approval of action plans, approval of special projects and the year-end report. It was reported that the college’s budget comes from two streams: 1) operating and tuition from the Government, and 2) tuition and miscellaneous fees collected from students. 7. UVC has two filing and management information systems – manual and electronic. Electronic includes email, e-office linked with website, GFMIS for finance, Rcheewa Management System, and V-cop. Minutes of meetings, individual files, consolidated reports, action plans, performance evaluation, monitoring sheets, directories, statistical data, financial reports, scholarship records, on the other hand, are filed manually. Recommendations 1. The college’s vision and mission statements are in place. It could still be improved if developed based on a well-formulated Strategic Plan. Furthermore, Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) should be applied in every activity of UVC. 2. Aside from Fix it Center projects, UVC may also consider conducting post-evaluation of all special projects to measure the effectiveness and impact of these projects. 3. A better understanding on the questions in the APACC instrument is important for better retrieval and presentation of evidences during on-site visits. 4|P a ge

Criterion 2: Teaching and Learning Commendations 1. UVC makes use of business incubation centers for baking, water bottling, hotel management, retailing, restaurant services and screen printing shop to integrate entrepreneurial skills aside from mastering specific skills and allow students to have a real workplace environment. 2. The college utilizes advanced technologies such as augmented reality (Echo VE mobile application) and Google classroom for teaching and learning. Affirmations 1. The college promotes social responsibility through the integration of moral principles and ethics, which is equivalent to 20 per cent of students’ scores in all subjects. There are also student club activities and outreach services that promote social responsibility to students. Moral principles and ethics of students are assessed based on attendance record, and observation of students’ behavior and involvement in class activities. Some teachers assess students according to working behavior, learning skills and social skills. Teachers also use a blue book, which records class attendance and allows them to assess students’ desirable behaviors. 2. Curriculum review is done every year. UVC involves its stakeholders, which include industries through industry advisory panel meeting, teaching and non-teaching staff, students and parents. All UVC programs were reviewed in the last three years. 3. It was evident that UVC’s programs include core skills, employability skills, non-technical skills, sustainability concepts, entrepreneurship, continuing, specialized skills and upgrading in the curriculum. 4. Print-based books are given for free to all students across all programs. 5. The college employs various methodologies in teaching and learning. The teaching supervision form, which gauges the utilization of these teaching methods, was presented as an evidence. 6. Teaching and learning processes such as delivery of instruction, utilization of laboratories / workshops / industrial training / OJT, student’s assessment / examination, teaching staff performance evaluation and lifelong programs are monitored and evaluated from time to time. Recommendation 1. Aside from the involvement of industry in the curriculum review, UVC may also conduct regular meetings on curriculum review with alumni. 2. It is strongly suggested for teaching staff to apply different communication and presentation skills to equip students to be globally competitive. Criterion 3: Human Resources Commendations 1. The college motivates its employees by conferring awards to deserving teaching and non- teaching staff in three categories: 1) Best Management Skills for Administrators; 2) Best Teaching Skills and good ethics for Teaching Staff; and 3) Best in Work Efficiency and good ethics for Non- teaching Staff. Awarding ceremony is held every 16th of January, where the National Teachers’ Day celebration coincides with UVC’s founding anniversary. Awardees receive certificates of recognition which can be used for promotion later on. 2. UVC employs foreign teachers for internationalization. Co-teaching in classes where a Korean/Japanese/Mandarin/Filipino teacher works with a Thai teacher to deliver bi-lingual classes (e.g. cooking lessons). 3. Professional Learning Community (PLC) is done for teaching staff with no industry background. Affirmations 1. All teaching staff possess the prescribed minimum qualification and experience, while there are only 2 out of 61 staff who do not possess the prescribed academic qualification. 5|P a ge

2. All teaching positions granted by OVEC every fiscal year are filled by UVC. UVC follows OVEC’s recruitment regulations. The college requests OVEC twice a year (or every semester) in filling vacant positions. Vacancies are announced via internet (OVEC and UVC website), public offices posting and radio stations. Background checks are done during the screening, which take 10 days upon submission of application. Administrators and the Head of the hiring department sit to interview contractual applicants after they passed the written test. It usually takes one month in recruiting teaching and non-teaching staff from announcement of vacancy up to contract signing. 3. Industry experts are involved in the interview stage of UVC’s recruitment of contractual staff. UVC presented two recruitment cases where two out of six panel members during the job interview were from industries. 4. Non-teaching staff are competent in their respective works. Currently, there are 5 OVEC- recruited staff and 56 contractual basis with UVC. The number of staff on contractual basis is decided by the administrative board every year. 5. As prescribed by OVEC, UVC teachers spend at least 18 hours per week for teaching, while supervising teachers have at least 12 hours per week. Teaching staff are given overload payment for hours exceeding 20 teaching hours, while non-teaching staff are given overtime payment. 6. Performance evaluation for both teaching and non-teaching staff is done twice a year from October to March, and from April to September. 7. UVC has an individual development plan (teaching staff development plan) which is used to record and monitor each staff’s development requirements and status. Teachers are now allotted 10,000 baht coupon for self-development programs. Recommendation 8. Teaching staff may attend trainings for a deeper understanding of teaching methods and enhance their proficiency in English language for international engagements. Criterion 4: Research and Development Affirmations 1. UVC is engaged in research and development activities with industries where the research on Mushroom Substrate Bio Compost (agricultural industry) was presented and accepted. 2. Four (4) joint researches with other agencies were reported to the accreditors, including researches on: Silk Cocoon Peacock with both Ministries of Industry and Culture; 4G Rice Crisps with Provincial Health Office; Rice Water Soap with the Ministry of Public Health, and Interactive Multimedia Presentation with Animation with the Pathum Wittayakorn School. 3. For commissioned research, the Tourism Authority of Thailand commissioned UVC for researches on candle festival wax sculpture and artificial snow. 4. According to the evidences presented, UVC entered into agreement with 16 industries and agencies for research and development activities. Some of which, include: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Provincial Health Office, Harbin Engineering University, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Culture, Napho Sub-district, Ministry of Public Health, Pathum Wittayakorn School, and Junior Inventor VEC Thailand. 5. More than 80 per cent of the teaching staff are involved in research and development activities. 6. UVC disseminates its R&D outputs internally through UVC Yearbook, Brochure, and In-house exhibition, and business incubator, and externally through journals, UVC Facebook, and conference presentations. 7. UVC provides incentives, such as certificate, prize-sharing and consideration for the promotion of UVC’s research and development activities in the community. Ninety per cent of monetary prizes goes to participants while 10 per cent goes to the college. 6|P a ge

Recommendations 1. Aside from submitting papers for inclusion in externally-published journals, publishing UVC’s own research journals to disseminate research and development activities of teaching staff and students may also be considered. 2. Aside from the existing practices, UVC may also consider providing monetary or other forms of incentives for research and development. 3. Further research can be undertaken from existing research, such as the bamboo cabinet and silk cocoon. Criterion 5: Image and Sustainability Commendations 1. The Director’s leadership and vast network with private companies and agencies strengthened UVC’s partnership with 16 private entities. (e.g. Du-home sponsored two teaching staff to Harbin and gave a prize to the delegation for winning the competition) 2. Aside from its local community, UVC also extends its resources and services to neighboring colleges in Laos like Champasak Technical-Vocational College. 3. The college was recognized by the Public Relations Society of Thailand as the Top Outstanding College on Making Public Relations Activities for Organization in 2015. So far, UVC is the first and only TVET College that received this award in Thailand. Affirmations 1. UVC implements extension services by request and based on the results of needs survey from the community. 2. Some of the extensions presented by UVC include: community service with National Army on Pottery, Cooking (short course), and Fix-it Center (decorating hat, sewing wallet and key chain, computer repair and preventive maintenance). 3. Research outputs used as extension inputs include: Candle Wax Making and Carving, Rice Water Soap, Mushroom Substrate Bio-Compost for Waste Management, Preservation of Bamboo Cabinet from Moth using Water and Tic Wood Waste, Sandalwood Flower-making, 4G Rice Crisps, Silk Cocoon Peacock, and Fish Fermentation. 4. The experts’ database can be accessed from UVC website. Eleven (11) experts are categorized into three expertise: Fine Arts, Accounting and Education. The database displays personal information, educational background, expertise and list of consultancies done by the experts. Personal information is also linked to experts’ social media accounts for easier accessibility. Experts are determined according to their industry recognition. 5. MOUs were presented as evidences of teaching staff-related and student-related linkages with the following companies and institutions with UVC: Mandarin Oriental Hotel, CP All, S & P, P & K Travel Design Co., Ubon Ratchathani University, and Home Hub. 6. UVC also engaged in consortia and agreements with the following institutions for exchange and other activities: Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education (Korea), Trakarn Phuetphon Technical College, and Hua Taphan Technical College. Recommendations 1. With the database in place, UVC may issue certificates to experts identified to solidify their credentials. 2. Following the successful implementation of staff/student exchanges, UVC may formulate a generic guideline for the process or mechanism in selecting future candidates. 7|P a ge

Criterion 6: Other Resources Commendations 1. A complex called Centerpoint was established inside the campus to serve as the melting pot of various income-generating projects and incubation centers for students. 2. The library promotes reading awareness to students through the Reading Literacy Program and the Best Borrower Award. 3. Having an art hall in the campus to showcase students’ and alumni’s art works and cultural artefacts is one of the strongest points of the college to transfer teaching and learning skills. 4. UVC has developed a commercial/laboratory hotel, giving opportunity to students to learn in actual work setting. 5. The college’s bakery is strategically placed in front of the campus and is open to the public for income-generation. 6. Thirty two (32) CCTVs are strategically located in the campus. Administrators (Director and Deputy Director of Student Affairs and Physical Plant Section) have access to the CCTV. It can also be accessed with their mobile phones. There are three (3) security personnel in UVC to guard the campus. No reported break in the past years. Affirmations 1. In the past three years, UVC allocated 76 per cent of the budget for operation and maintenance, while 22 per cent for developmental activities, on an average. Operational budget is used to acquire teaching and learning materials, research activities, personnel remuneration, maintenance, electricity, water supply and internet connection. Developmental activities on the other hand, include physical and personnel development. 2. The library complies with OVEC standards in terms of seat adequacy in the library. (Standard is 10 per cent of the total population should be seated in the library.) 3. The annual budget of the institution increased by almost 3 per cent on an average for the past three years. 4. UVC submits monthly financial reports to OVEC, Office of the Auditor General of Thailand, Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Office of the Comptroller General. OVEC visits the college for audit once or twice a year per schedule. External visits will only occur if there are errors in the reports submitted. In the past three years, OAGT and URPOCC did not visit UVC, meaning there were no errors in the reports submitted. 5. Income-generating Projects include fees collected from students’ tuition and miscellaneous fees, incubation centers, and business centers. Percentage of income generated compared to annual budget on an average of three years is 48 per cent. 6. All key persons in financial management are involved in the budget preparation, allocation, management and control. 7. National standards for campus area should not be less than 0.8 acres, UVC is compliant with its 7.11-acre campus. UVC is also strategically located near Rom Kiao Hospital, UB- Provincial Public Health Office, UB National Museum and Si Ubon Rattanaram Temple are around the campus. Buildings have permits provided and blueprints approved by the OVEC. 8. UVC’s learning resource center is divided into 4: Academic Resource Center, Internet Center, Culture and ASEAN Studies Center, and Ratchathani Sriwanalai Art Hall. 9. UVC are linked with 8 other libraries (Library of Sappasitthiprasong Hospital, Ubonratchathani Public Library, Academic Resources and Information Technology Center of Ubonratchathani Rajabhat University, Library of the North Eastern Polytechnic Vocational College, Champasak Technical-Vocational College, Academic Resources Center of Ubonratchathani Technical College, Academic Resources Center of Ubonratchathani Polytechnic College, and Suan Dusit University.) All supported by MOU. 10. Introduction of new books is done weekly. Library week is celebrated every August. Library orientation to students is done every start of the semester. Library has sufficient electronic learning materials such as English learning videos, augmented reality, e-books and e-journals. 8|P a ge

11. Workshops/laboratories’ space is adequate, well-ventilated, properly maintained and periodically. Safety measures are taken into consideration through signages and first-aid medicine kits are available in workshops for accidents. 12. UVC has 515 PCs on LAN. Internet connection is available to all UVC constituents as WiFi is available in the campus with 70 access points and 50 users can access each access point. 13. UVC has multimedia center available for students. Maintenance of IT equipment is done more than once a week. Recommendations 1. For the security and safety of students and staff, regular monitoring of CCTV is needed as UVC has a public road in the middle of the campus. 2. For environmental purposes, proper waste management system incorporating the 6R Concept may be implemented to produce organic fertilizers. UVC may also measure carbon footprints or measure how much waste is being generated by each person in the campus. Another option would be to measure waste to money conversion. 3. Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) through the Happy Library Program is in place. User experience could still be improved with the addition of feature to renew books borrowed or reserve a book for borrowing online. 4. In connection with the library’s Best Borrower Award, UVC may do a research to assess the academic performance of frequent borrower awardees and frequent library visitors. 5. The existing art hall can be a source of income for UVC. Its infrastructure could still be improved to make it a college museum. 6. Tools and equipment in workshops and laboratories, especially in the food processing area, should be properly labeled and organized for better inventory monitoring and retrieval. Criterion 7: Support to Students Commendations 1. UVC’s strong support to students is evident through existing linkage with alumni. Several alumni experts keep coming back to the college as teaching staff and in various professional capacities. 2. Since UVC does not have an in-house dormitory for students, teaching staff are divided into groups to conduct home and local dormitory visits to check students’ welfare from time to time. Affirmations 1. Some of the students’ services offered by the college include Student Welfare, Student Activities, Student Disciplinary, Registrar, Student Guidance and Employment and Advisory. 2. UVC follows the national guidelines on guidance service of the guidance association of Thailand and OVEC policy on counselling and student adviser. The national standards is 1 guidance counsellor: 500 students. With 8 registered guidance counsellors and an average of 3,650 students in the past 6 semesters, UVC has a 1:444 guidance counselor-student ratio. 3. UVC follows the regulation of OVEC in admitting students. The college conducts placement and talent tests to screen students. Admission activities are always reported to the OVEC. 4. Students may register on the website or go to UVC personally apply for these programs. 5. The college’s retention average is 72 per cent in the past three years. UVC conducts remedial classes for students who are lagging behind. 6. UVC sends students to the only government-approved bank (i.e. Krungthai Bank) for student loans. 7. Students are represented through the Association of Future Professional Personnel of Thailand. 8. Other extra-curricular activities for UVC students, include: religious and cultural activities, sports day and volunteer activities. 9. The placement program of UVC is in place to assist graduates to get employment / self- employment. 9|P a ge