Social Responsibility of Engineering Students in Autonomous Universities in Bangkok : Associated Problems and Recommendations for Improvement

Abstract

    The objectives of this research were 1) to study the level of social responsibility of engineering students in public universities in Bangkok, 2) to compare social responsibility based on personal factors, 3)  to study relationship between perceived social role models and social responsibility, 4) to identify  associated problems and recommendations for improvement social responsibility. The quantitative study conducted by using questionnaire to 388 students.  The statistical tools  were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, one – way  ANOVA  and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The qualitative study conducted by in-depth interview to 20 lecturers and students.   Results showed that  1) students were in moderate level of social responsibility;

2) sex, year of study the participation in university activities of students had significant effect on students’ social  responsibility; 3) There was a significant positive relationship between social responsibility and perceived social model of students ; and 4) The problems associated with social responsibility of students were the lack of understanding  on scope of social responsibility, the priority given to personal interest  than public interest, and the following to inappropriate social role model. The recommendations for social responsibility improvement were general education class for students,  class assignment, class strictness, encourage lecturer to be a good role model for students, motivate students to join student activities in universities,  training and workshop, campaign and rewards and to promote social responsibility .