| |
Thammasat University (TU), apart from being the second oldest university in Thailand , is also one of the best known and respected. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the University was initially named, by Dr. Pridi Banomyong, ‘ Vichar Thammasat Lae Karn Muang' – ‘The University of Moral Science and Politics.' It had started out as an open university, with 7,094 people enrolled for its first academic year. The main goal of the University's foundation was “to teach students to love and cherish democracy.”
In 1949, there was a change in the University's curriculum and academic structure. Essentially, four distinct faculties were created – the Faculties of Law, Political Science, Commerce and Accountancy, and Economics. Only in the year 1952 was the name ‘ Vichar Thammasat Lae Karn Muang' changed to the present-day ‘ Thammasat University .' Moreover, in 1960 the university ended its open-university status and has since required the national entrance examinations for admission.Thammasat University was also significant for being Thailand 's first university to incorporate a Faculty of Liberal Arts, thus introducing a liberal arts education in the country. This was a significant innovation in Thailand 's higher education system.
Dr. Puey Ungphakorn, the tenth Rector of Thammasat University, initiated the expansion into Science and Technology with the establishment of Rangsit Center . The year 1986 brought several changes to the University; the new learning center at Rangsit was officially opened to new students. Starting in 2006, new undergraduate students study there throughout the four-year program. Moreover, in order to serve ever-expanding demands for higher education, Pattaya Learning Center in Eastern Thailand and Lampang Center ( Thammasat Lanna College ) in Northern Thailand were established in 1995 and 1996 respectively.
Thammasat is a university of and for the people. It has faithfully served as, and will continue to be, a place for the blossoming of knowledge. Throughout its years, our students have not only demonstrated academic excellence, but they have also been politically and socially active. The university has always been a dynamic proponent of social change. Hence, Thammasat's three guiding principles are democracy, liberty, and equality for all.
|
|
