Rajabhat University system
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The Rajabhat Universities (มหาวิทยาลัยราชภัฏ, RTGS: Mahawitthayalai Ratchaphat) 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. As of 2018[update], 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
- Chiang Mai Rajabhat University
- Chiang Rai Rajabhat University
- Kamphaeng Phet Rajabhat University
- Lampang Rajabhat University
- Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University
- Phetchabun Rajabhat University
- Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University (Phitsanulok)
- Uttaradit Rajabhat University
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
- Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University
- Phuket Rajabhat University
- Songkhla Rajabhat University
- Suratthani Rajabhat University
- Yala Rajabhat University
References
- ^ "พระราชบัญญัติสถาบันราชภัฏ พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๘" [Rajabhat Institute Act of 1995]. Act of 2004 (PDF) (in Thai).
- ^ "พระราชบัญญัติมหาวิทยาลัยราชภัฏ พ.ศ. ๒๕๔๗" [Rajabhat University Act of 2004]. Act of 2004 (PDF) (in Thai).
- ^ a b "Rajabhat enrolments 'shrinking'". Bangkok Post. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
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