Emblem of Rajabhat University system

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, 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

References

  1. ↑ "พระราชบัญญัติสถาบันราชภัฏ พ.ศ. ๒๕๓๘" [Rajabhat Institute Act of 1995]. Act of 2004 (PDF) (in Thai).
  2. ↑ "พระราชบัญญัติมหาวิทยาลัยราชภัฏ พ.ศ. ๒๕๔๗" [Rajabhat University Act of 2004]. Act of 2004 (PDF) (in Thai).
  3. 1 2 "Rajabhat enrolments 'shrinking'". Bangkok Post. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
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