Agricultural Education Reform for Better Life Project in college of agriculture and technology in Region I of Thailand : its impact on graduates' quality of life

The study investigated the quality of life of graduates from the Agricultural Education Reform for Better Life Project at the colleges of agriculture and technology (CAT) in Region I of Thailand. This was done using a survey questionnaire in gathering the data. The study employed purposive sampling method and proportion allocation method to arrive at 379 samples of 3,006 graduates. Data from them were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation coefficient analysis, Pearson's Chi-square test (X2), t-Test, and stepwise multiple regression. Results revealed that most of the respondents were male, with age ranging from 18 to 28 years, single, residing in rural area, and took plant science as a course. School characteristics described by the respondents as very good were school building, educational resources, and student services. Likewise, their perceptions on school programs while they were still studying and taking their courses were very good in both theoretical learning and practical skills. Moreover, 31.9 percent of the respondents were graduates of agriculture certificate. Majority (51.2%) were employed. Of these, 35.4 percent were self-employed. Their mean monthly income was 5,425.25 Baht with a standard deviation of 2,575.83 Baht. They indicated that they have access to clean potable water and able to watch TV and video during weekends. Also, 93.4 percent indicated they own their house and 38.5 percent have acquired their residence for more than 15 years. The most popular appliances at home of the respondents were TV (86.6%), radio (70.2%), refrigerator (66.0%) and video (51.7%). Less than half (49.9%) of the respondents performed a role in an organization where they belong. Most of them conducted agricultural projects while a few got outstanding farmer awards or recognition. Furthermore, results showed that some socio-demographic characteristics were correlated with graduates' quality of life. These were sex and community participation; course taken and position, and ownership of their residence and household appliance. Moreover, school factors that correlated to quality of life of the graduates were lecture rooms and position of employment; laboratory rooms and position in employment, family leisure activities, membership in organization, community participation, and awards received; demonstration farms and position in employment; library and household appliance owned. The educational resources found to be correlated were printed media and family leisure activities, membership in organization, community participation, and awards received: IT media and family health status, family leisure activities, membership in organization, community participation, and awards received. Among student services, dormitory was correlated to family leisure activities, household appliance owned, membership in organization, and community participation; sport facilities to family health status, membership in organization, and community participation. Also, health care services were correlated in family leisure activities while food services were correlated to household appliance owned, membership in organization, and community participation. As regards school program, theoretical learning was correlated to position of employment, household appliance owned, membership in organization, and community participation. On the other hand, practical skills were correlated to position in employment, family leisure activities, household appliance, membership in organization, community participation, and awards received. As a whole, almost all the selected socio-demographic characteristics, school characteristics, and the respondents' perceptions on school program were found to have influenced the quality of life of the graduates. Moreover, significant differences were found between male and female graduates in terms of community participation and awards received.