The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Khon Kaen University has set a new precedent in Thai higher education by successfully passing the Thailand Quality Class (TQC) assessment and receiving the prestigious award. This achievement marks it as the first fine and applied arts faculty in the nation to be certified under this organisational quality management framework, which was developed by the Thailand Quality Award Office under the supervision of the Thailand Productivity Institute.
The award was presented at the 24th National Quality Award Ceremony 2025, held on Thursday, 26 February 2026, from 17:30 to 21:00 hrs at the Makkhawan Rangsan Ballroom, Royal Thai Army Club, on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Bangkok. The ceremony commenced with guest registration and an introductory presentation on the National Quality Award. Mr Surachet Polwanich, Director and Secretary of the Thailand Quality Award Committee and President of the Thailand Productivity Institute, delivered a report to the chairperson of the ceremony.
Dr. Nattapol Rangsitpol, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, presided over the ceremony. Mr. Piyyabutr Cholvijarn, Chairman of the National Quality Award Committee, announced the awards and commended the winning organisations. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the National Quality Award, the Thailand Quality Class, and the Leadership Excellence Award, where the Permanent Secretary presented the awards, offered his congratulations, and joined the recipients for a commemorative group photograph. The ceremony concluded at 21:00 hrs.
Representing Khon Kaen University at this distinguished occasion was a delegation from the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, led by Assistant Professor Burin Plengdeesakul, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty, accompanied by members of the administrative board, heads of departments, programme chairs, and faculty staff. The atmosphere was marked by pride and appreciation for the collective dedication that led to this historic achievement.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Burin Plengdeesakul remarked, “This success is the result of the unwavering commitment and dedication of our executive team, academic staff, and all personnel, who have collaboratively and systematically developed our management system to meet the TQC criteria. We also received strong encouragement and support from Khon Kaen University, which prioritises elevating organisational quality to national standards. This achievement, therefore, reflects the power of cooperation between the Faculty and the University in our journey towards sustainable excellence.”
Receiving the TQC award demonstrates the robustness of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts’ management system, which encompasses leadership, strategic planning, a focus on learners and stakeholders, evidence-based decision-making, personnel development, academic process management, and a clear emphasis on tangible outcomes.
The integration of TQC criteria into educational management has enabled the systematic enhancement of curricula aligned with the evolving needs of the creative industries. This includes clearly defined learning outcomes, continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and the promotion of research, innovation, and creative outputs by both faculty and students.
This accomplishment is not only an honour for the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts but also a testament to Khon Kaen University’s capacity to drive its organisation towards national quality standards. It reinforces the role of Thai higher education institutions in successfully integrating artistic disciplines with world-class organisational management systems, positioning them for continued excellence on the international stage.
