Rajabhat University system explained
The Rajabhat Universities (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยราชภัฏ,) are a group of public universities in Thailand that were originally founded as teacher training colleges.
In 1995, the Thai government elevated existing teacher training colleges to so-called Rajabhat Institutes. The transformation expanded the legal mandate of these institutions, granting them the authority to confer postgraduate degrees, including doctorates.[1] Rajabhat Institutes were further transformed to Rajabhat Universities in 2005, allowing the institutions to function as independent universities.[2]
There are currently 38 Rajabhat Universities. They are generally considered easier to gain admission to than the traditional public universities.[3] Most Rajabhat Universities offer graduate degrees, some even to the doctoral level. Enrollments have been shrinking., students numbered 540,000, down from 600,000.[3]
Name
The word "Rajabhat" is derived from the same origin as the Hindi, "Rajput" (from Sanskrit raja-putra, "son of a king"). In this sense, a "Rajabhat University" might be regarded as being analogous to the English "King's College", or "Royal Institute", or more literally as a "Prince's University" ("Rajabhat" could be considered to mean "prince"). For simplicity they may be considered a "Royal University".
List of Rajabhat Universities
Bangkok group
- Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University
- Chandrakasem Rajabhat University
- Dhonburi Rajabhat University
- Phranakhon Rajabhat University
- Suan Dusit Rajabhat University (since 2015 change to Suan Dusit University)
- Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University
Northern group
Northeastern group
- Buriram Rajabhat University
- Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University
- Kalasin Rajabhat University (since 2016 combined to Kalasin University)
- Loei Rajabhat University
- Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University
- Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University
- Roi Et Rajabhat University
- Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University
- Sisaket Rajabhat University
- Surindra Rajabhat University
- Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University
- Udon Thani Rajabhat University
- Nakhon Phanom Rajabhat University (since 2005 combined to Nakhon Phanom University)
Central group
- Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University (Ayutthaya)
- Muban Chom Bung Rajabhat University (Chom Bung, Ratchaburi)
- Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University
- Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University
- Phetchaburi Rajabhat University
- Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University (Chachoengsao)
- Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University (Chanthaburi)
- Thepsatri Rajabhat University (Lopburi)
- Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University (Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani)
Southern group
Notes and References
- 2004 . พระราชบัญญัติสถาบันราชภัฏ พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๘ . Rajabhat Institute Act of 1995 . th.
- 2004 . พระราชบัญญัติมหาวิทยาลัยราชภัฏ พ.ศ. ๒๕๔๗ . Rajabhat University Act of 2004 . th.
- News: Rajabhat enrolments 'shrinking'. 2 February 2018. Bangkok Post. 2 February 2018.
