Strengthening Higher Education Access for Southern Thai Students through Participatory Outreach and International Partnership Development

Abstract

This international community service program aimed to strengthen higher education access for students in Southern Thailand through participatory educational outreach and the development of international institutional partnerships. The program was implemented by Universitas Malikussaleh in Yala and Pattani on 28–30 July 2026 and involved the Islamic Council of Yala Province, Islamic Patana School, Islam Sasn Withya School, Fatoni University, Muhammadiyah Thailand/Islamic Lukmanul Hakim School, and Suntisart Wittaya School. The implementation combined partner mapping, institutional visits, presentations, videos and brochures, participatory question-and-answer sessions, institutional dialogue, partnership exploration, MoU signing, documentation, and follow-up planning. Direct outreach at Islamic Patana School and Suntisart Wittaya School involved approximately 200 final-year students and at least 15 teachers. The activities produced three signed MoUs, recorded Islamic Patana School's expectation of sending approximately 20 graduates to Universitas Malikussaleh in 2027, and documented Muhammadiyah Thailand's commitment to assist in identifying five prospective scholarship candidates. Discussions with Fatoni University identified opportunities for student and faculty exchanges, Accounting collaboration, instructor support, and possible joint academic programs. Because no pre-test-post-test or standardized satisfaction instrument was administered, outcomes are reported descriptively and are not interpreted as statistically measured changes in knowledge or attitudes. The program established an initial cross-border pathway linking educational information, prospective student recruitment, scholarship access, and institutional cooperation, with sustainability directed toward MoU implementation, online consultation, applicant assistance, reciprocal visits, and measurable academic follow-up.