Cooperative Strategies of Higher Education between Beijing and Thailand under the Ideology of the “Belt and Road Initiative”

Abstract

Beijing was usually greatly respected in Thailand and ensured the alliance of both countries. Thailand is one of the biggest promoters of Chinese language education in Southeast Asia. The objectives of this quality research were 1) to investigate the current situations and problems for the cooperation of higher education between Beijing and Thailand under the ideology of the “Belt and Road Initiative”; 2) to analyze factors supporting the success of the cooperation of higher education between Beijing and Thailand under the ideology of the “Belt and Road Initiative”; and 3) to develop the cooperative strategies of higher education between Beijing and Thailand under the ideology of the “Belt and Road Initiative”. The instruments used in this research were a semi-structured interview form, agenda questions for focus group discussion, and analysis issues for connoisseurship. Data were analyzed by content analysis, summarizing, and descriptive analysis. The results of the research revealed as follows: 1) The current situations and problems for the cooperation of higher education between Beijing and Thailand under the ideology of the “Belt and Road Initiative” consisted of nine issues as follows: 1.1) policy and government support; 1.2) cultural exchange and understanding; 1.3) academic collaboration and research; 1.4) student mobility and exchange programs; 1.5) quality assurance; 1.6) academic communication; 1.7) academic communication, and              1.8) sustainability of educational partnerships. 2) The factors supporting the success of the cooperation of higher education between Beijing and Thailand under the ideology of the “Belt and Road Initiative” consisted of four important agendas. 3) The cooperative strategies of higher education between Beijing and Thailand under the ideology of the “Belt and Road Initiative” consisted of one vision, five missions, one goal, and five strategies with twenty-two measures.