#Highereducation

A surge of recent research and media reports has illuminated a worrisome trend: even as more young people enroll in university, many are struggling with basic reading and comprehension skills expected at the college level. The debate has intensified following the publication of several national surveys and firsthand accounts from professors across the United States, which paint a picture of declining literacy among today’s college students. This issue resonates far beyond American borders, carrying important implications for Thai higher education and the nation’s long-term competitiveness.

The passage from secondary school to university marks a profound transformation in family relationships—a reality increasingly recognized by Thai parents as their children head off to college. Recent discussions in international media, such as a feature in Business Insider about evolving parent-child dynamics when children attend university, are amplifying a topic that resonates strongly within Thailand’s own households. As more families engage with higher education, they are encountering new challenges—and opportunities—for connection, growth, and mutual understanding.

Thai families are navigating a quiet but meaningful shift as children head to university. The experience is more than academic; it reshapes daily life, expectations, and relationships. Experts note that higher education can open doors to greater independence while strengthening trust between parents and children.

Leaving home for university brings a mix of excitement and anxiety. For many Thai families, a child’s move—whether to another province or abroad—signals new opportunities for growth and mutual respect. Thai culture has long valued close intergenerational bonds. As youths become more autonomous, parents transition from daily caregivers to mentors who trust rather than control.

A new study has confirmed the suspicions of many young job seekers: Gen Z graduates are entering a job market far harsher than the one faced by their millennial predecessors. According to Kickresume, 58% of graduates in the past year are still searching for their first job, nearly twice the rate seen among millennials and Gen X at the beginning of their careers. The challenges are so severe that only 12% of recent graduates have secured a full-time position by the time they leave university—one-third the proportion seen in prior generations. This shift marks a fundamental break from the age-old assumption that a college degree guarantees a career path, and its ripple effects are being felt globally, including in Thailand, where young people are also facing rising uncertainty about their economic futures (Fortune).

A new study shows that Gen Z graduates face a harsher job market than previous generations. Globally and in Thailand, about 58% of graduates in the past year are still seeking their first full-time position, nearly double the rate for earlier cohorts. Only around 12% secure full-time work by graduation, a fraction of prior norms. This trajectory echoes across Thai society, where uncertainty about earnings is rising among young people.

AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude are entering Thai classrooms, sparking a global debate about cheating, faculty frustration, and the future value of higher education. Thai educators and policymakers now face urgent questions about how universities can respond, adapt, and innovate in the age of artificial intelligence.

As AI models grow more capable, students increasingly use them not only for tutoring but to generate essays, homework, and even exam responses. Critics warn of a “cheating utopia” where the race between technology and assessment outpaces institutions’ ability to uphold learning standards. In Thailand, more students in international programs and English-language courses show similar adoption, prompting calls for clear guidance and robust assessment practices.

A growing wave of concern is sweeping through universities worldwide as advanced AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude become the latest frontline in academic dishonesty, raising fundamental questions about the future and value of higher education. Recent reporting in Vox’s “The Gray Area” podcast and a deeply researched feature by a New York Magazine writer has brought the issue into sharp focus, revealing widespread patterns of AI-enabled cheating, mounting faculty frustration, and institutional inertia that have left many educators and students disillusioned or resigned (Vox).

A massive new study has uncovered detectable “AI fingerprints” in millions of scientific papers, revealing that artificial intelligence has quietly become a pervasive force in academic publishing. Researchers found that at least 13.5% of biomedical research abstracts published in 2024 showed evidence of being written with some assistance from large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini—raising fresh questions about research integrity and the future of scholarly communication (phys.org).

A global study shows AI-assisted language appears in about 13.5% of biomedical abstracts since 2024, as large language models like ChatGPT and Google Gemini quietly influence scientific writing. The finding reflects a shift in authorship dynamics and raises questions about originality, transparency, and how science is communicated. For Thai researchers, the trend comes at a moment when the country expands its research capacity and aims to publish more in international journals.

More college students than ever before are choosing to major in psychology, drawn by the field’s versatility and its promise to help understand both themselves and others. Yet, as the latest research and economic data reveal, this boom comes with a significant financial catch for graduates. While the degree opens doors to a host of industries, the starting and mid-career salaries for psychology majors often lag behind those of peers in more specialized or technical disciplines—a tension now under scrutiny for both Thai and global students making career decisions in today’s changing economy (Newsweek/MSN).

A growing number of Thai students are choosing psychology for its versatility and its promise of understanding human behavior. Yet new data reveal a gap between expectations and earnings for graduates, prompting families and policymakers to rethink career paths in Thailand and beyond.

The rise of psychology is not sudden. Globally, it remains a top undergraduate choice, and interest has surged since 2020. In the United States, psychology accounted for about six percent of bachelor’s degrees in 2020–2021, reflecting cross-industry appeal. In Thailand, larger psychology cohorts are visible as awareness of mental health grows and school counseling expands, aided by media coverage of pandemic-era needs.

As Thailand advances its digital economy ambitions, a growing debate is unfolding in classrooms, recruitment offices, and government policy circles: What sets computer engineering apart from computer science, and which path offers Thai students and professionals the greatest opportunities? A recent report published by Regent University and analyzed by the Bangkok Post sheds light on this crucial topic, offering Thai learners, parents, and educators a nuanced understanding that may shape future career choices and the nation’s workforce development.

As Thailand accelerates its digital economy, students, parents, and policymakers seek clarity on two related but distinct paths: computer science and computer engineering. A recent analysis cited by the Bangkok Post helps Thai readers understand which path aligns with their goals and Thailand’s workforce needs.

Thailand’s digital transformation relies on a skilled tech workforce. Under Thailand 4.0 and Smart Thailand initiatives, many learners face choices between computer science and computer engineering. The distinction matters because it shapes job prospects, innovation, and the country’s competitiveness in Southeast Asia’s tech scene.

A recent nationwide study ranking America’s most and least educated metropolitan areas has revealed that several Texas cities are near the bottom of the list, underscoring growing concerns about regional educational disparities. Compiled by personal finance website WalletHub, the 2025 report compared the 150 largest U.S. metropolitan areas based on educational attainment and the quality of education, with four Texas metros ranking among the bottom 11 and one Texas city, Austin, placing prominently among America’s best-educated urban centers.

Universities across the globe must redefine their purpose to prioritize lifelong learning in an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), according to the president of Northeastern University, who warns that higher education risks becoming obsolete if it fails to adapt. Speaking during a keynote address at the event “Engineering the Future with Artificial Intelligence,” held at Saint Joseph University in Beirut, the Northeastern University president emphasized the urgent need for higher education to extend its focus beyond young students, highlighting the transformative impact of AI on both learning and society.

A global shift toward lifelong learning is essential as artificial intelligence reshapes work and education. A Northeastern University president urged universities to redefine their mission during a Beirut keynote, warning that higher education risks obsolescence without adapting to AI’s rapid advancements. The message emphasizes extending learning beyond traditional students to adults and mid-career professionals.

Traditionally, universities focused on educating new generations and pursuing research. Now, AI’s expanding role demands continuous, adaptive learning models aligned with both employer needs and individual goals. The Northeastern leader, author of Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, argues for programs that fit busy adult lives and deliver fast, practical outcomes.

A growing chorus warns that AI tools like ChatGPT erode academic integrity. Yet student voices tell a more nuanced story: AI is being embraced as a pragmatic response to disrupted education, resource constraints, and post-pandemic realities. Rather than laziness, many students see AI as a tool to navigate upheaval and maintain momentum in higher education, especially as they juggle part-time work and financial pressures.

The UK experience mirrors Thailand’s concerns: educators and policymakers grapple with assessment fairness, digital learning, and AI ethics. A recent student-led commentary argues that learners are not abandoning study; they are struggling to keep pace with changing expectations and uneven evaluation methods. For Thai universities, these insights underscore the urgency of clear AI guidelines, stable assessments, and equitable access to digital resources.

As artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT become increasingly integrated into education systems worldwide, much of the narrative has focused on a supposed crisis of academic integrity. Critics warn of students cheating en masse, forfeiting genuine learning, and entering the workforce less prepared than their predecessors. Yet, first-hand student perspectives reveal a more nuanced reality: the rapid embrace of AI in higher education is less about laziness and more about adapting to systemic upheaval, resource scarcity, and the lingering aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic (The Guardian).

Artificial intelligence is driving a dramatic transformation in higher education, pushing universities worldwide to shift beyond their traditional focus on young students and research to embrace lifelong learning for all. The latest research and expert commentary, highlighted by a keynote address from the president of Northeastern University, underscores a global pivot—one that is increasingly relevant for Thailand’s rapidly evolving educational landscape (Northeastern University; Forward Pathway). Amid the rise of generative AI and large language models such as ChatGPT, higher education institutions face mounting pressure to adapt, or risk obsolescence.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education, pushing universities to move beyond traditional programs for young students. The latest research and expert insights highlight a global shift toward lifelong learning that includes adult and mid-career learners. This momentum matters for Thailand as the country accelerates digital economy initiatives and workforce upskilling.

Leaders in higher education argue that the workforce now requires flexible, modular, and experiential learning. University presidents emphasize the need to customize offerings to employer needs while tailoring learning paths to individuals. The aim is to build a system that supports continuous education throughout a person’s career, rather than a single-degree model. International think tanks and higher-education groups echo this call, urging institutions to adopt flexible formats that align with today’s unpredictable career trajectories.

A mounting crisis in academic mental health is coming into sharper focus, with recent research revealing that “gruesome” workloads and escalating job demands are taking a heavy toll on university faculty worldwide—including right here in Thailand. An Australian-led analysis, as reported by Times Higher Education, highlights how non-stop workdays stretching over nine hours have become standard for many academics, eroding boundaries between professional and personal life and producing measurable declines in mental and physical health. This trend is mirrored by new, Thailand-specific data showing similarly alarming rates of burnout and stress among university lecturers, raising critical questions about the future of higher education and the well-being of those who deliver it.

A rising crisis in academic mental health is drawing global attention, including in Thailand. An Australian-led analysis highlighted how nine-hour daily workweeks and nonstop demands are eroding work-life boundaries for university faculty, with tangible declines in both mental and physical health. Thailand-specific data echo these concerns, showing high levels of burnout among lecturers and prompting questions about the future of higher education in the country.

International research shows that while academics often enjoy relatively robust benefits versus other sectors, those perks are increasingly outweighed by relentless duties. A recent survey described heavy teaching loads, research expectations, student advising, grant applications, and spiraling administrative tasks. Many academics report dissatisfaction with pay and conditions, warning that chronic overwork threatens both well-being and the quality of teaching and mentorship.

California’s public colleges are spending heavily on AI-detection tools to curb plagiarism and AI-assisted cheating. Yet a growing body of evidence points to blind spots, privacy risks, and questionable educational value. The California case offers a cautionary preview for Thai educators as digital learning expands nationwide.

The surge of AI writing tools like ChatGPT has unsettled professors who worry students may not be the true authors of their work. In response, providers began marketing detection systems that promise to identify both plagiarism and AI-generated writing. California State University recently budgeted an additional sum for Turnitin’s AI-detection upgrades, pushing annual licensing past the seven-figure mark. Across the state, Cal State campuses have spent millions on Turnitin since 2019, with many community colleges and University of California campuses adopting similar contracts. These findings come from investigative reporting by CalMatters and The Markup, which examined spending and policy choices across the system.

California’s public colleges and universities are spending millions on high-tech solutions to catch plagiarism and artificial intelligence (AI) misuse, but mounting evidence reveals these investments may be rife with technological blind spots, privacy risks, and questionable educational value. As higher education worldwide faces a new era of “AI arms race,” the experience of the California system demonstrates how quick fixes may fall short, fueling new debates that resonate in classrooms from Bangkok to Berkeley.