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H1: There is significant relationship between social intelligence, emotional intelligence and strategic learning behaviour.

H1a: A relationship exists between emotional intelligence and strategic learning behaviour.

H1b: A relationship exists between social intelligence and strategic learning behaviour.

H2: There is significant different in students emotional intelligence, social

intelligence and strategic learning behaviour according to their demographic factors. H2a: Students demographic factors significantly influence their emotional

intelligence.

H2b: Students demographic factors significantly influence their social intelligence.

H2c: Students demographic factors significantly influence their strategic learning behaviour.

16 1.6 Significance of the Study

This study refers to several learning theories and also focuses on practical interventions that might improve students’ strategic learning behaviour, which is an indicator of the academic success of a student. From a practical perspective, this study is important for the administrators, lecturers and students at Songkhla Rajabhat University as well as administrators, lecturers, and students across the nation.

The Thailand Kasikornthi Research Center (2012) found that the development of education is important for the continuing development of the ASEAN Community (ASEAN Community, 2015). The ten member states of the ASEAN obtain benefits from better education because education is a key in developing the population and creating a modern economy. As a result, courses and programs must be developed to produce qualified personnel and the necessary skills and knowledge in the ASEAN and more specifically in Thailand.

1.6.1 Administrators

According to the National Education Act (1999) of Thailand, educational institution administrators must have far-reaching vision, commitment to education and establish a high-quality educational system. Moreover, administrators should collaborate and coordinate activities with all interested parties to operate academic activities more effectively.

Songkhla Rajabhat University is the oldest higher education institution in southern Thailand. The institution has developed steadily since changing from a teacher’s

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college to the present-day university. Songkhla Rajabhat University students will gain benefits if educational institution administrators can be made aware of their important roles, understand the supporting roles of management, and perform their roles consistently (Songkhla Rajabhat University Academic Report, 2011). Therefore, the findings of this study will be a guide for administrators to follow to ensure the well being of students and improve their learning strategy behaviours while studying at this university as well as other universities in Thailand. In no small measure, the tertiary education system must ensure students are well equipped with the necessary social and emotional skills to ensure their sustainability during their study years at the university as the country needs trained and skilled workers to develop a modern economy.

This current research is one way for the administration to obtain data relating to developing more efficient learning strategies for the students. By carrying out the recommendations developed in this research, the leadership of Songkhla Rajabhat University as well as other universities in southern Thailand can use the results of this study to make informed decisions with respect to the development of the students. Doing so will bring the research results into action in a systematic way and all units concern with students development will be involved in the problem-solving processes. Thus, the findings of this study will contribute vital facts with regard to students’ social and emotional intelligence and to what extend these influences their strategic learning behaviours. The study will further suggest a pathway to improve strategic learning behaviour among university students in Thailand.

18 1.6.2 Lecturers

Lecturers are a key element for success in education. As articulated in The National Education Act of 1999 one primary duty of a lecturer is to help students to learn well and a second is that a lecturer must use research as part of the learning process.

To teach effectively, lecturers must innovate continuously in order to meet the ever- changing needs of today’s world. Research is one way in which this can be achieved as it reveals classroom problems and can offer solutions, improvements and developments. In this way, lecturers can improve both teaching and learning. Thus, the findings of this study will help lecturers identify the social and emotional problems faced by their students during their study years. In addition, lecturers also discover the type of learning strategies that their students have been using. All these information will be an eye opener for the lecturers on the current issues faced by their students and this hopefully will encourage the lecturers to take measures to help the students to overcome these issues.

1.6.3 Students

Students are the most important stakeholders in the education system. There are benefits that may be derived from this study for students at the university who may be able to adjust their learning behaviours through improved strategies and tactics and consequently improve their chances of completing their study. Successful completion will impact their lives positively in general and in work in the future. This finding will reveal the issues that university students face so that they will be aware of the obstacles they are facing and this will help them to improve their social and emotional skills as well as their learning strategies.

19 1.6.4 Body of Knowledge

The finding of this study will add to the existing body of knowledge on emotional intelligence and social intelligence as they are found to be related to successful academic. Not many studies on these aspects have been studied among university students except in Pakistan (Fatima, Shah, & Kiani, 2011; Javed & Nasreen, 2014) and in Thailand (Khamkhien, 2010; Suntornpithug, 1986). But these studies focus only on the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievement. The inclusion of social intelligence with emotional intelligence as associated with successful learning strategies will push the boundaries of knowledge on Thai educational system. The findings will reveal factors having impacts on students’ learning, social, and emotional lives.

1.7 Limitations

The study is based upon the following limitations. The population of the study are university students in southern Thailand; from six provinces. However, the sampling is focused on one university - Songkhla Rajabhat University, as this university has students coming from all the six provinces. In addition, this university faces a high rate of students drop out. The respondents are only first-year students of 2013 session 2. They comprised students from the faculty of Education, Humanities and the Social Science, Science and Technology, Management Science, Agricultural Technology, Arts, and Industrial Technology.

The study focused only on first-year students because various studies have shown that the transition from the familiar high school and home and hearth to the

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university is difficult and greatly impacts a student’s sense of well-being (College, 2015; Venesiz & Jaeger, 2013; Conley, 2007; Weinstein, 2011). They are away from home, need to adjust to a new life style and need to socialize and make new friends; all these combine to create a new life experience for most first-year students. Because of these drastic life changes, these students are more suitable as respondents for this study compared to those in later semesters who may have already overcome earlier psychological adjustments.

Lastly, Songkla Rajabhat University is currently facing a large problem with respect to student failure as reflected in the large student dropout rate, and, therefore, it is appropriate that this study focus on identifying the contributing factors that will help the university to develop new and more effective-intervention programs for new students.