The Use of Digital Skills to Equip Public Administration Students, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Thepsatri Rajabhat University, for the Shift in Digital Government

Abstract

   This research aims to 1. examine the level of digital skills, and 2. propose guidelines to enhance the digital skills of Public Administration students in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Thepsatri Rajabhat University to support the transition to a digital government. For the quantitative approach, data were collected from 420 weekday students from the first to fourth year in the Public Administration program, using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Frequency, percentage, and standard deviation were employed to analyze the data. In the qualitative part, the data were collected from 12 employers, selected through a purposive sample technique, using a structured interview form and a focused group discussion. Data were analyzed through content analysis.

   The study revealed that 1. overall, the digital skills of Public Administration students were at a moderate level. Considering each aspect, all were also at a moderate level. Ranked from higher to lower mean scores, the following skills were observed: digital literacy and technology application, digital skills for enhancing organizational potential, governance and compliance skills, digital management policies and standards, digital skills for planning, managing, and leading organizations, and digital skills for driving change and innovation were observed respectively; 2. for the proposed guidelines to enhance digital skills, three guidelines were found: 1) self-learning should be encouraged, 2) classroom training programs specifying required skills at each year level should be enhanced, and 3) integrated teaching and learning that incorporates digital skills across various subjects in the curriculum should be promoted.