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.

Emblem of Rajabhat University system

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. "Rajabhat enrolments 'shrinking'". Bangkok Post. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
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