Introduction
Ramkhamhaeng University is a public university established by Ramkhamhaeng University Act 1971 to be a tertiary educational institution following the "market of subjects" model with an operational philosophy to extend education opportunities and equality to the Thai people. The university was named after King Ramkhamhaeng The Great, a King of Thailand who created the Thai alphabet which is unique to the Thai nation until the present time.
The establishment of Ramkhamhaeng University was to relieve the problem, at the time, that higher education institutions in Thailand had limited capacity to fulfil the demand to proceed in higher level of study among high school graduates. Ramkhamhaeng University was, therefore, established as an educational institution in the form of a "market of subjects" that enabled a large number of students to pursue higher education programs they wish to study in. This is regarded as one of the strengths that Ramkhamhaeng University has always been adhered to.
26th of November in 1975 was the commemorate day of Ramkhamhaeng University. It was the auspicious day that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother graciously presided over the opening ceremony of the Monument of King Ramkhamhaeng The Great at Ramkhamhaeng University (Hua Mak). On that day, Their Majesties also conferred degrees to Ramkhamhaeng University’s first batch of graduates incepted in 1971. The University therefore designated November 26th as the day that Ramkhamhaeng University was solidly established. This coming 26th of November 2024 is marked as the 53rd anniversary of the university since its inception in 1971.
Ramkhamhaeng personnel, from the past to the present time are deeply grateful for the kindness of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother and the members of the Royal Family. Their Majesties’ kindness shall forever cherish in Ramkhamhaeng personnel’s hearts and souls.
On the 15th of January 1999, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously bestowed a plant named "Supannikar" (Fai Kham) or Yellow Cotton Tree to be the symbolic plant of Ramkhamhaeng University. Its golden yellow flowers resemble the color code of Ramkhamhaeng University. This plant can persist in the soil of all regions of Thailand. This represents students and graduates of Ramkhamhaeng University who are prospering everywhere all over the country. Moreover, the flower’s endurance and tolerance to heat and drought signifies graduates of Ramkhamhaeng University who are able to survive everywhere in any terrain.
The university has efficiently and effectively carried out the four main missions of higher education institutions regarding teaching and learning management, research, academic service, and preservation of arts and culture. In addition, Ramkhamhaeng University has added the fifth mission which is the culturing of graduates who coupled "Knowledge” with “Virtue".
Ramkhamhaeng University provides education to serve in the local, national and international levels, adhering to high quality and internationalized academic service principles that are consistent with the society’s demand. The university produces graduates in line with the trend of globalization.
Uniqueness of Ramkhamhaeng University: The organization of “market of subjects” in addition to limited admission system.
Identity of Ramkhamhaeng University: The culturing of graduates who coupled knowledge with virtue.
Vision: Ramkhamhaeng University is a digital market of subjects that provides services to promote lifelong learning.
Corporate Values: Honesty, sincerity, transparency, equality and loyalty.
Philosophy: Promote equality in education. Produce graduates who couple knowledge with virtue.
Determination: To be a resource of knowledge as a “market of subjects” as well as a limited admission educator. To produce graduates with knowledge and virtue and awareness of social responsibility.
Mission: The university adheres to the principles of higher education management in social responsibility, academic freedom, independence, equality, and good governance in the management of the following missions:
- 1. Education Management
- 2. Research and Innovation
- 3. Academic service to the society
- 4. Preservation of arts and culture
- 5. Culturing of graduates who coupled "Knowledge” with “Virtue".
The university offers opportunities and equality in education both within the country and abroad. Ramkhamhaeng University provides two modes of teaching and learning, i.e., on-site at the university and distance learning through modern technology. Degrees are offered at all levels including bachelor, master, doctoral in pre-degree program, international program, and extraordinary (off-hour) program. Every program at the university maintains high standards of quality. Ramkhamhaeng University conforms to the national educational quality assurance system that certifies educational standards.
In order to produce graduates that possess knowledge together with virtue, the university has included a required course named “Knowledge coupled with Virtue" for Ramkhamhaeng students in bachelor's, master's and doctorate levels. This course aims to instills moral foundation in the spirit of students resulting in virtuous behavior.
Regarding the extension of educational opportunity to the region, starting from 1995, the university has established 23 regional campuses in the Honor of His Majesty the King. The establishments were successful by securing cooperation from public and private sectors in the regions. The university has organized teaching and learning of bachelor, master, and doctoral programs in the regions in accordance with the needs of personnel in the regions. Ramkhamhaeng University has established 41 bachelor degree program’s examination centers in 39 provinces so that students can choose to take examination close to their hometowns.
Moreover, Ramkhamhaeng University has been organizing borderless education system. Students can take classes from anywhere on the globe. The university offers programs for Thais residing abroad in, so far, 32 countries and arranges 41 examination centers in those countries. The arrangement of examinations abroad has received kind cooperation from The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy, and Consular in foreign countries.
Ramkhamhaeng University has 13 Faculties and a Graduate School that manage educational programs, administration, academic and research services. In addition, there are 7 Offices and 7 Institutes that offer teaching and learning supports, administration, research, arts and cultural preservation, and other activities. The Overseas Academic Services Center (OASC) was established to coordinate the teaching and learning in foreign countries. The offices of twenty-three Campuses in the Honor of His Majesty the King report to the Office of the President.
In the first semester of 2012, Asst. Prof. Wutisak Lapcharoensap, the president at the time, changed the grading system from the former grades of G, P, and F in order to be compatible with the international system of A, B, C, D, and F. Hence, the grades transfer is equivalent to other domestic and international universities.
Ramkhamhaeng University envisions the importance of research as well as teaching and learning. The university has invested heavily in the promotion of research programs in all faculties and all levels. In addition to research budget allocated from the government and external institutions the university allocates a large fund for research projects. The aim is to create knowledge which can promote the economy and society. The university has various research cooperation projects in the national and international levels. Research centers are established in regional and in the central campuses. Thai and English academic journals are created to disseminate knowledge in the international arena.
One of the major mission of the university is community services. The university has been emphasizing community services since the beginning. Academic services in various forms are offered in the central and regional level as well as abroad. New projects are initiated and developed in response to the needs of the society and globalization.
Ramkhamhaeng University has been realizing the significance of the preservation of arts and culture. This is another important mission. The preservation of the nation’s arts and culture helps to maintain the identity and existence of the country. The university’s personnel and students realize the value and preserve Thai arts and culture as the nation’s heritage. The university supports students and personnel in arts and cultural events throughout the years in all regions. Culture helps to lay positive foundation of the mind and enhance the values of graduates and personnel.
The university has been developing toward internationalization and catching up with changes in the globalization era. Ramkhamhaeng University has established cooperation with private and public institutions in the national and international levels. The university is developing in order to compete in the national arena. MOU’s are signed with 43 institutions in 12 countries in addition to 23 MOU’s signed with domestic institutions.
The university’s Institute of International Studies (IIS) is internationally renowned. English-as-the-medium-of-teaching courses are offered in bachelor’s and master’s levels. Faculties are invited from famous universities around the world. The teaching and learning has the same atmosphere as classes abroad. Current students comprise of Thais and foreign students. Moreover, there also are short-term exchange students from other countries coming to join the Institute.
The university has policy to support personnel development. Scholarships are offered for personnel to study locally and abroad. Various training courses are organized continuously for example foreign languages, Information Technology, academic seminars in other institutions, publications, educational trips. Personnel are kept abreast of modern academic/research/educational management in other countries. Moreover, there are extra activities such as national and international seminars, educational exhibition, and etc. Funds are provided by the university and external sources.
The university has also supported sports activities. The university’s stadiums are kept modern and has up-to-date equipment. Budgets are allocated to promote sports. Sport section of the university has been developed and recognized in the national level.
Student’s extracurricular activities are supported to enhance students’ learning experience. Activities are organized throughout the academic year. Students learn to manage activities effectively and efficiently. Student’s council and organization are established with the funds from the university. Faculty members continuously supervise and provide advises to students’ activities.
Welfare are arranged for students and personnel. Many facilities and infrastructure such as infirmary, sport arena, exercise area, security, internet, banks, ATM, post office, book store, cafeteria, air-conditioned study room, recreation areas, wi-fi system throughout the university and etc. are offered.
One of the most notorious project of the university is the “Star Dorm Project”. The university has created a project with the Office of Promotion and Protection of Children, Youth, the Elderly and Vulnerable Groups, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. This project is the first of its kind that a university cooperates with the Office and the cooperation from Bangkapi District Office, Pravej District Office, Hua Mak Police Station, U-domsuk Police Station who join efforts to improve and develop the quality of dorms and apartments around the Hua Mak and Bang Na campuses to build good and safe environment for students to reside within. The university invited dorms and apartment owners in the areas to join the project which assess 5 dimensions of quality, i.e., the congruence to the Dormitory Act, hygiene, services, safety and security, and dorm management. The dorms are awarded with 3-star (good), 4-star (very good), and 5-star (excellent). Since 2009 up to the present time, the project has assessed and certified more than a hundred dorms. This project has created an improvement in the quality of dorms around the university. The environment, safety, crime and drug problems are taken care of. Students stay in these dorms happily. Parents are rest assured that students reside in homey and safe dorms.
The university has equipped Super Service System to provide best quality services to create utmost satisfaction from service users. For example, One Stop Service system is implemented in the student application system hence the process is much faster than before.
Academic dimension is emphasized especially in research. Technology is introduced into the teaching and learning systems such as e-Book and e-Testing. The university has developed the internet system to support large number of users. http://www.ru.ac.th website is created to provide information services to students.
The birth of ASEAN Community in 2015 brought about the cooperation of 10 Asian nations. This integration increases competitive ability of Asian countries in the international arena as well as the contribution to solve global issues. Ramkhamhaeng University, as one of the ASEAN’s major educators, has been adjusting and creating visions and improve the quality of education in par with institutions in other countries to build quality people, students, and graduates in the international level.
In addition, Ramkhamhaeng University staff and students were encouraged to be aware of Thailand's need as one part of the ASEAN Community. Proficiency in languages, especially English, that is the formal language of ASEAN is promoted. Training courses in various languages are organized for personnel and students. Information and knowledge about the ASEAN Community are provided through various media. Information relating to the development of ASEAN are provided continuously to keep personnel and students abreast about all aspects of ASEAN member countries. Personnel and students can prepare and adjust their roles to get along with ASEAN era.
Ramkhamhaeng University has proven to be successful in university management and development as well as the administration of education beyond borders. Throughout the time, it has carried out the main missions of the higher education institution with efficiency and effectiveness and become a model university in providing educational opportunities and providing educational equality to Thai people in the central, regional and abroad.
All roads lead to Ramkhamhaeng. Students and interested people from all over the country have come to visit and enroll for degrees at Ramkhamhaeng University because of the reputation and standards of academic quality.
Ramkhamhaeng University is the country's largest university. There are hundreds of thousands of students. From the date of its first batch of inception until now, it has produced more than a million graduates. These graduates have been serving the society and the nation, both in the public and private sectors for a long period of time. The university has played a significant role in the development of the nation's education and human resources.
Alumni of Ramkhamhaeng University are successful in various careers in both the public and private sectors. They are recognized and manifested in the quality that they possess knowledge, ability, perseverance and responsibility in their professions. This has proved the university has attained the objective to produce “graduates that have knowledge coupled with virtue.” Instructors are dedicated to teach and polished students to be strong in knowledge and walk with virtue. The university is proud to be an educator for Thai people in accordance to the university’s motto “Candle shed light, Ramkhamhaeng offers paths.”
From the year it was founded in 1971 until the present, Ramkhamhaeng University has been successful in university management and development in building the future of Thai children. Furthermore, Ramkhamhaeng University will continue to strive to develop the university and develop the nation’s education and to become one of the internationally renowned university in the world.
The educational management of Ramkhamhaeng University has expanded higher education opportunities for Thai people throughout the country and throughout the world. Holistic benefits to public and the nation is prioritized. The university adheres to the principle “education builds people...and people build the nation.” Thai nation will be prosperous and progress further and further in a sustainable manner.
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Source of information: Divisions and units of Ramkhamhaeng University
Prepared by: Overseas Academic Services Center (OASC)
(as of November 2022)