An education specialist has called on the Office of Vocational Education Commission (Ovec) not to lose focus as the agency prepares to introduce academic titles for lecturers.
Somphong Chitradub, a professor of education at Chulalongkorn University, said vocational education is distinctly different from university education and therefore the focus needs to be on other areas.
His remarks came in response to Ovec's plan to introduce professor, associate professor and assistant professor titles at vocational institutions that offer bachelor's degrees.
Mr Somphong welcomed the move but warned that that "Ovec should focus on innovation and application. This shouldn't be about publication to obtain academic titles while research work gathers dust," he said.
He suggested that the evaluation of lecturers should also take into consideration fieldwork, private sector training and the collection of knowledge for teaching work-ready skills.
"They shouldn't copy academics at universities. If they do, they will lose their way. Vocational education is different," he said.
Ovec secretary-general Suthep Chittayawong said the draft plan is in line with the 2008 Vocational Education Act which requires vocational institutions that offer bachelor's degrees to have tenure track lecturers.
The draft has been approved by Office of the Teacher Civil Service and Educational Personnel Commission, he said, noting that tenure requirements for lecturers at vocational institutions will initially follow those of university lecturers.
"Currently lecturers at vocational institutions don't have academic titles, so we have to ensure they now comply with the law," he said.
