Attitudes of Students Toward the Credit Bank System and Mechanisms Driving Higher Education Sustainability for Esports Careers in Surat Thani Province

บทคัดย่อ

This qualitative study aimed to examine students’ attitudes toward the credit bank system and identify mechanisms that may support sustainable higher education pathways to careers in the esports industry. The study focused on students in the lower northern region of Thailand and explored their perceptions of flexible learning, credit accumulation, and the development of esports-related competencies. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with selected student informants. The interview data were analyzed thematically to identify key patterns and perspectives regarding the potential application of the credit bank system to esports-oriented education.

The findings revealed that most students expressed positive attitudes toward the credit bank system, particularly its potential to increase flexibility and learner autonomy. Students valued the opportunity to select courses according to their interests, abilities, and emerging labor-market demands. They perceived this flexibility as particularly relevant to the esports industry, which requires diverse competencies, including game design, game development, event organization, teamwork, and competition management. Furthermore, students indicated that credits could potentially be accumulated through a range of esports-related learning experiences, including competitions, professional training, workshops, and project development. Such an approach was perceived as enabling students to integrate formal and experiential learning while developing practical skills and industry-relevant experience. Overall, the findings suggest that a flexible credit bank system could contribute to more personalized and career-oriented higher education by connecting students’ learning pathways with the evolving requirements of the esports labor market. The study highlights the potential of credit accumulation mechanisms to support lifelong learning, competency development, and sustainable career preparation in the rapidly developing esports sector.