Problems and Obstacles in the Cooperative Education Practicum in Bachelor of Public Administration Program at Khon Kaen University in COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This article aims to study the problems and obstacles in cooperative educationpracticum in the Bachelor of Public Administration Program at Khon Kaen University in the COVID-19 pandemic of students, enrolling in the second semester of the academic year 2020, consisting of 77 students. Of those, 26 people were selected as purposive sampling namely 13 heads of departments or mentors, and 13 students. Data were collected by The supervision record form, an assessment form for cooperative education agencies, an assessment form for cooperative education research reports, an evaluation form for the presentation of the results of cooperative education training in public administration, and an assessment form for participation in orientation activities and preparation prior to cooperative education training in public administration, as well as interview guidelines, All data were analyzed by using the content analysis. The results of the study revealed that: 1. The majority of the students faced with operational problems during the COVID-19 pandemic due to many establishments cancellation of student internship. The operating style has shifted frequently. There was the anxiety and stress about working performance and lack of understanding of the use of statistics for data analysis. 2. Most department heads' or mentors' assessments of the suggested that student trainees should be more enthusiastic at work and performance 13 Students’ trainees’ working ranked between 40 and 50 points. They suggested that student trainees should be more enthusiastic at work and should be able to design or define operational guidelines for their work achievement and should have technological knowledge.