“CUDSON” Web Application Helping Students Develop Their Competencies Based on Their Ability

Policy and Operation

“Many students face questions about their identity, strengths, and career path. To help with this, Chulalongkorn University’s Student Affairs Office developed CUDSON, a web application designed to assist students, especially freshmen, in understanding themselves better and making informed decisions about their studies and future careers. CUDSON offers personalized guidance, helping students select suitable courses and activities to develop the necessary knowledge and skills for the workforce.

CUDSON emphasizes that everyone has unique talents and strengths, and the platform is designed to offer a tailored experience for each user. Based on research and input from industry leaders, CUDSON focuses on three areas of development: Self-Management and Relationship Building, Sustainable Value Creation, and Adapting to the Digital Age. Since its launch in 2017 and revamp in 2022, CUDSON has recorded significant growth in student engagement, demonstrating its value in supporting students’ personal and professional development.”

Many students often find themselves pondering questions like, “What kind of person am I? What are my strengths and skills? What should I study to align with these abilities? What career path would suit me best?” Answering these questions can be crucial for personal development, enabling students to choose the right subjects and pursue a career that aligns with their personality, interests, and talents. Understanding oneself is essential, but it often takes time and experience to truly discover the right direction.

To support this self-discovery process, Chulalongkorn University’s Student Affairs Office developed “CUDSON,” a web application designed to assist students, particularly freshmen, in getting to know themselves better and more quickly. The goal is to help students select courses and activities that suit their interests and abilities, ensuring they acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to prepare for their future careers and life. CUDSON aims to provide students with a personalized development experience that aligns with their goals and needs, ultimately helping them transition into the workforce with confidence.

CUDSON operates under the principle that “everyone has unique talents and strengths.” While students gain academic knowledge and hard skills in their regular coursework, they also need soft skills to thrive in the workplace and in life. These include communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, which vary from person to person. Therefore, the development process must be tailored to each individual’s needs, making it impossible to adopt a one-size-fits-all approach. CUDSON was designed with personalization in mind, offering a customized experience for each user.

In developing CUDSON, the team conducted interviews with executives from leading companies and analyzed labor market data. This research identified three key areas of potential that are crucial for personal development:

Self-Management and Relationship Building (Human Touch):
- Self-Management
- Relationship Management
Sustainable Value Creation:
- Systematic Problem Solving
- Leadership
Adapting in the Digital Age (Dynamic Digitalization):
- Change Management
- Digital Management

CUDSON was first launched as a mobile application in 2017. However, due to the complexity of the system and the lengthy 40-minute assessment required from users, it proved difficult to use. As a result, the Student Affairs Office revamped the system into a web-based application, which was relaunched in late 2022. The updated platform is more user-friendly and continues to serve students to this day.

CUDSON also offers a competency-matching feature that connects students’ skills with job requirements. This feature has been utilized in the CU Job and Higher Education Fair. As of August 2023, the platform has logged 573 activities with 15,580 participants. Engagement rates have also surged, rising from 2,624 cases in October 2022 to 55,742 cases in August 2023, demonstrating its growing impact among students.