THE DEVELOPMENTAL ROLE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN DRIVING INTEGRATED ACTION PLANS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES IN THAILAND’S SOUTHERN BORDER PROVINCES

Abstract

This research article examines the roles and operational approaches of community colleges in supporting integrated programs to address the problems in Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces. The objectives are to study the developmental roles of community colleges in promoting vocational skills, improving quality of life, and fostering a sustainable multicultural society, as well as to analyze the alignment of their operations with the National Strategy, policies for the development of the Southern Border Provinces, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To achieve these objectives, the study employed a qualitative research design, guided by UNESCO’s (1996) and Casey’s (2020) Four Pillars of Learning as the conceptual framework, and analyzed data from community college performance reports (fiscal years 2022–2024) using content analysis. The findings reveal that community colleges play a crucial role in developing vocational skills and lifelong learning to enhance labor potential and improve the overall quality of life. Their operations align with the National Strategy and the SDGs, particularly in reducing inequality, developing human capital, and promoting sustainable peace. Moreover, community colleges serve as key mechanisms in multicultural societies by encouraging community participation, respecting local identities, and fostering peaceful coexistence. The study highlights that community colleges can function as driving forces for holistic local development through learning-based approaches and can serve as a model for developing other marginalized areas effectively.