Reporters: Asst.Prof.Chaiya Tanaphatsiri ,Asst.Prof.Kloyjai Krutjon ,
MissNamfon Channual, Asst.Prof.Nasaporn Thammachot
Evidence Date: during 2024 Jan-Dec
Related SDGs: SDGs 4 Quality Education
Related SDGs:
Related Indicators: 4.3.1 Lifelong learning access policy
Details:
Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) has institutionalized a comprehensive policy framework to ensure lifelong learning opportunities for all individuals, regardless of race, religion, socio-economic status, gender, or physical ability. This policy promotes an inclusive environment where people of all ages can enhance their knowledge and develop their potential through multiple modes of learning—formal, non-formal, and informal education. To accommodate diverse learning interests and abilities, the university provides flexible learning formats such as self-directed study, short-term professional training, and open-access educational resources. The policy also ensures accessibility for all learners through libraries, digital learning platforms, and tailored services for people with disabilities or mobility challenges, supported by guidance materials and training programs that help them navigate educational resources effectively and equitably.
At the operational level, RUTS has implemented regulations on undergraduate education and lifelong learning that enable individuals to pursue learning at their own pace based on personal readiness, interest, and capacity. These regulations emphasize outcome-based assessments that recognize diverse learning experiences—whether from formal instruction, social engagement, personal practice, or digital media. In addition, the university’s 20-Year Strategic Plan (2018–2037) articulates the vision of becoming an “Innovation-Driven University for Society,” emphasizing inclusivity and equitable access to education for both formal learners and individuals outside the traditional education system. Through initiatives such as online courses, short-term vocational programs, and community library access, RUTS has expanded educational opportunities to the broader public, effectively positioning itself as a center for sustainable learning and social development.
Impact Result:
The implementation of this policy and long-term strategy has produced measurable and sustainable impacts in both institutional and societal dimensions. First, it has enhanced inclusivity and educational equity, ensuring that learners from marginalized groups—including the elderly, underprivileged individuals, and people with disabilities—have equitable opportunities to access learning resources. Second, it has expanded the reach of higher education through open educational resources and flexible learning models, allowing thousands of individuals nationwide to engage in continuous upskilling and reskilling for employability and personal growth. Third, it has strengthened the connection between education, innovation, and regional development, as RUTS’s inclusive approach helps build a skilled workforce that contributes to the local economy and supports Thailand’s competitiveness in a globalized context. Finally, it has institutionalized a culture of lifelong learning within and beyond the university, making RUTS a model of higher education that integrates policy, operation, and innovation to promote lifelong learning for all.
This policy and strategic plan demonstrate RUTS’s leadership in fostering an inclusive, accessible, and innovation-driven learning ecosystem that directly supports the SDG 4 goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
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