Chiang Mai University was awarded the Thailand Quality Class 2020 organised by Thailand Quality Award, Thailand Productivity Institute, Ministry of Industry. Clinical Prof. Niwes Nantachit, President of CMU, received the award from Mr. Kobchai Sungsitthisawad, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Industry and the host of the 2020 award ceremony held on March 19, 2021 at Main Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre, Bangkok.
Clinical Prof. Niwes Nantachit, President of CMU, states that CMU has adopted TQA criteria as the administrative framework for world-class excellence, also called ‘Education Criteria for Performance Excellence in the education sector. It is used to improve the operations and developments in various domains, both at the university and division level, and stimulate exchanges between sectors, resulting in effective integrated collaboration and consistent improvement in performance.
Factors contributing to this hallmark of success include
Leadership - the executives have always strived to develop the University according to its resolution in providing benefits for the Northern region and the nation, and thus, adopted the TQA criteria, or EdPEx, to enhance the administrative capacity in all dimensions. This has received policy supports from the University Council, especially from the Chairman, Emeritus Prof. Kasem Wattanachai, M.D., and the Vice Chairman, Emeritus Prof. Avudh Srisukri, M.D., who was the pioneer in adopting the TQA/EdPEx for use in the education sector. Other important figures are Assist.Prof.Dr. Nipon Tuwanon and Emeritus Prof. Pongsak Angkasith, former Presidents of CMU, who first used the TQA criteria as the guidelines for the development of the working process in different domains, and its implementation has been ongoing to the present.
Engagement – the connection between the members and the organisational culture in giving a helping hand practised by all executives and staff.
Attitude – creating positive attitudes for staff at all levels in terms of learning, developing and improving the quality of work in a systematic and continuous manner, as outlined by the TQA criteria.
Deployment – deploying the University’s strategies in all sectors, encouraging participation in progressing the University.
After having continuously implemented the TQA criteria, CMU has made important adjustments, including defining a clear direction and goal, communicating, and creating a connection between members, administering strategic plans that respond to the needs of the customers and stakeholders, stimulating innovation and translating strategies into practice at all levels for mutual success. This is an important achievement not only for fulfilling the vision of becoming a leading university committed to social responsibility and sustainable development, but also for yielding benefits to the Northern community and society, in line with the University’s founding objective.
It is a great pride for CMU to receive this prestigious award, which is a testimony of the University’s systematic administrative framework for excellence, and CMU strives to continue improving indefinitely to serve the community, society and country.