Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University
จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย
Motto	• Knowledge with Virtue (official) • Honour of Chula is the Honour of Serving the Public (unofficial)
Established	March 26, 1917
Type	Public
President	Professor Pirom Kamol-Ratanakul, M.D.
Students	37,625[1]
Undergraduates	24,851
Postgraduates	9,458
Doctoral students	2,431
Location	Bangkok, Thailand 13°44′18″N 100°31′57″E / 13.73826°N 100.532413°E / 13.73826; 100.532413Coordinates: 13°44′18″N 100°31′57″E / 13.73826°N 100.532413°E / 13.73826; 100.532413
Campus	Urban
Former names	Royal Pages School, Civil Service College of King Chulalongkorn
Anthem	"Maha Chulalongkorn" ("Great Chulalongkorn")
Colours	Pink
Mascot	Rain Tree
Affiliations	ASAIHL, AUN, APRU
Website	www.chula.ac.th

Chulalongkorn University (Thai: จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย; RTGS: Chulalongkon Maha Witthayalai; pronounced [t͡ɕù.lāː.lōŋ.kɔ̄ːn mā.hǎː.wít.tʰā.jāː.lāj]), officially abbreviated as CU and commonly abbreviated as Chula (Thai: จุฬาฯ), is the oldest university under the Thai modern educational system, founded in 1917 by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI)^[2] who named it after his father, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). It is one of the best universities in Thailand and Southeast Asia according to several university rankings.^[3] It comprises nineteen faculties and institutes.

Bird-angle view of Chulalongkorn University

Its campus occupies a vast area in downtown Bangkok. Diplomas were traditionally handed out at graduation by the King of Thailand, created and begun by King Prajadhipok (Rama VII). But at present, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) delegates the role to one of his daughters, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

History

The university was named after King Chulalongkorn

The demands of officials specialized in various fields by the government in the late 19th century Siam was an result of King Chulalongkorn’s bureaucratic reforms, which aimed to transform the feudal Thai society into a modernized state. In 1899, the king founded the Civil Service Training School^[4] near the northern gate of the Royal Palace. Those who graduated from the school would became royal pages. Being royal pages, they learned how to administer organizations by working closely with the king, which was a traditional way of entrance to Siamese bureaucracy. After being royal pages, they would then serve in the Mahattai Ministry or other government ministries.

On April 1, 1902^[5] the king thought the name of the school should be renamed to increase dignity of students and graduates. Hence the name Royal Pages School (Thai: โรงเรียนมหาดเล็ก) was later used. Later, on January 1, 1911,^[6] King Vajiravudh renamed the school again to Civil Service College of King Chulalongkorn (Thai: โรงเรียนข้าราชการพลเรือนของพระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) as a memorial to his father and moved the school to Windsor Palace (Thai: วังวินด์เซอร์ หรือวังใหม่) in the Pathumwan district.

The academic demands, however, increased all over the country as a whole as Siam was modernized. King Vajiravudh then took the remaining funds of Chulalongkorn’s Royal Equestrian Statue construction, which was collected from people. Then combined with his own funds to subsidize the construction of a university campus. The king organized various schools around the city proper into the Chulalongkorn's College. The college offered 8 majors taught by 5 schools including;

• School of International Relations in the Royal Palace
• School of Teacher Training at Baan Somdet Chao Phraya
• Royal Medical College at Siriraj Hospital
• School of Legal Studies
• School of Mechanical Sciences at the Windsor Palace

King Rama VI then realized that the education should be provided to all people not only for the bureaucrats. On March 26, 1917, the college was upgraded to the Chulalongkorn University (Thai: จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย),^[7] and the schools were transformed into four faculties: Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Public Administration, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Medicine.

Chulalongkorn University main auditorium

The university firstly granted certificates to its graduates. The education for a degree was then prepared. The Rockefeller Foundation reorganized the curriculum of the Faculty of Medicine. In 1923, the Faculty of Medicine became the first faculty to accept students from the secondary education (known as Mattayom). The remaining faculties then followed suit. After the 1932 Revolution, the Khana Ratsadon wanted the legal and political studies to be independent from "royalists'" Chulalongkorn University so they took the Faculty of Law and Political Science into their new Thammasat University in 1933.

In 1938, the Chulalongkorn University’s Preparatory School was founded to provide pre-collegiate education for its students. Those who managed to enter the university had to spent two years in the Preparatory School before going on to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The Preparatory School, however, ceased to be a university-owned preparatory school in 1947 and became independent Triam Udom Suksa School. Later, the university established Chulalongkorn University Demonstration School (CUD) system as laboratory primary and high schools for Faculty of Education.

Faculties

Chamchuri Square, a high-rise building complex near the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, is owned by Chulalongkorn University

The original building of faculty of engineering (Building one) or nickname "the red palace"

Mahamakut Building, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University.

Chulalongkorn University consists of 20 faculties and schools which function as a teaching and researching unit.^[8]

In 1917, the university had four faculties: Arts and Sciences, Public Administration, Engineering and Medicine. The Faculty of Law was established in 1933 as part of the Faculty of Law and Political Science.^[9] During the 1930s to the 1950s it expanded to various fields including Pharmacy (1934), Veterinary Science (1935), Architecture (1939), Dentistry (1940), and Commerce and Accountancy (1943). In 1943, the regency government under General Phibun separated the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Science to become the University of Medical Sciences (now Mahidol University). In 1948, the Faculty of Political Science was re-established. The Faculty of Education was established in 1957 from the School of Teacher Training at Baan Somdet Chao Phraya (Thai: โรงเรียนฝึกหัดครู บ้านสมเด็จเจ้าพระยา).^[10] In 1967, the Faculty of Veterinary Science was returned from Kasetsart University and the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn Hospital was moved from University of Medical Sciences to Chulalongkorn University. In 1972, the Faculty of Dentistry and Faculty of Pharmacy were retrieved.

The Office of Commission on Agricultural Resource Education (OCARE), which will be transformed into "Faculty of Food and Agriculture" in the future, was established in 2009.^[11] It receives students from two groups. The first group comes from Northern Thailand provinces (Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Uttaradit) which are target area of university's agricultural promotion. The second one comes from other provinces.

List of faculties

Associated institutes

• Chulalongkorn University Demonstrational Schools (CUD)
• Petroleum and Petrochemical College
• College of Public Health Science
• College of Population Studies
• Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute
• Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
• Aquatic Resources Research Institute, Environmental Research Institute
• Social Research Institute, Institute of Asian Studies
• Transportation Institute
• Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration (founded by Chulalongkorn University with the support and collaboration of the Kellogg School of Management and the Wharton Business School.)

Rankings

Honorary Degrees

The University has given honorary degrees to heads of state and other international dignitaries, including two US Presidents:

• Lyndon B. Johnson, October 29, 1966
• Bill Clinton, November 26, 1996
• Nelson Mandela, July 17,1997^[20]

Traditions

Chulalongkorn University student traditions include:

• Chula–Thammasat Traditional Football Match: The annual football match between Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University in January at Suphashalasai Stadium. It first started in 1934.
• Loy Krathong: an annual celebration of the full moon night, which usually falls on the first full moon day in November. Since the festival is open to the public, it attracts many people, especially Chulalongkorn students and faculty and those who live in downtown Bangkok, to come to the university to float their Krathongs on the university's pond.
• Chulalongkorn Academic Exhibition: a triennial academic and research exhibition presented by Chulalongkorn University's students and faculty. It is regarded as one of the most important academic fairs in Thailand.

Student activities and clubs

Students dormitory

The University is host to 40 student clubs, including the Buddhism and Tradition Club, the Religious Studies Club, the Mind Study Club, and the Thai Classical Music Club.^[21] Chulalongkorn also has a Morals Network, which actively campaigns to protect student activities from damaging the university's reputation. The University's Cheer Club annually organizes the Chula-Thammasat Traditional Football Match.

Symbols

Phra Kiao

Since the establishment of the Royal Pages School, the former name of the university, Chulalongkorn authorized the use of his personal emblem as school emblem.^[22] The emblem is 'Phra Kiao', or Thai style coronet which is made to fit hair topknot. As the school was transformed into university, the King of Thailand authorized the use of Phra Kiao until nowadays. Today, Phra Kiao is used in formal letters, transcripts, souvenirs made by university and student uniforms.

Student Uniform

Undergraduate students are required to wear uniform as they are studying, taking examinations and contacting the university. For graduate students, collared or polo shirt and dark trousers are required for male students while plain blouse with properly long skirt are required for female students.

Originally, the university uniform was adapted from uniform worn by Chulalongkorn's heirs.^[23] Later, the uniform was changed into more modernized version but original one is reserved as a formal uniform. Formal uniform is usually worn by student leaders and bachelor graduates.

Today, the normal uniform for male undergraduate students are plain white shirt with long or short sleeves and black (or dark blue) trousers. Dark blue necktie with colored Phra Kiao in its front is required for first year students but optional for higher years. However, black tie with silver Phra Kiao pin is usually used by higher year students in some faculties. For female students, they are required to wear short-sleeved blouse with fold along the spine. The buttons must be made of metal and Phra Kiao emblem must be pinned on right chest. Slightly dark blue or black pleated skirt and any black, white, brown shoes that conceal heels are also required. For female first year students, white leather shoes are required.^[24] Chulalongkorn University's uniform has long been template of uniforms used in other universities in Thailand.

Academic Dress

The academic dress of Chulalongkorn University is based on ceremonial attire called suea krui, which is long-sleeved robe made of very fine mesh. Like dresses worn in United Kingdom, the robe is open-fronted and calf-length. Cap and hood, however, are omitted. Colored felt strip decorated with gold-colored ribbon is attached to the margin of the gown including elbow and wrist. Bachelors and masters use black strip, while respective scarlet and pink are for doctors (including honorary degrees recipients) and lecturers. Yellow strip is used specially for the king of Thailand.^[25]

In addition, the colored yarn (bachelor) or ribbon (master and doctor) is added to the center of the strip longitudinally, according to degree granting faculty.^[26] The gown was authorized for use by Vajiravudh.^[27]

Example of Felt Strips

• 

  King of Thailand's ceremonial robe

• 

  Lecturer's ceremonial robe

• 

  Faculty of Science's BSc

• 

  Faculty of Science's MSc

• 

  Faculty of Science's PhD

Rain Tree

Rain tree is very common on the university campus. It was deeply associated to the university since the past. Fresh green leaves in the beginning of the semester represent freshmen's enjoyment. As the tree produces slimy pods and sheds leaves, the below ground becomes dirty and slippery. As a simile, it is described as a warning to students to be ready for examination. When they walk carefully, they do not slip (able to pass examination). Whereas if they walk carelessly, they would slip and get injured (unable to pass examination).^[28]

Around 1937–1957, many rain trees were to be cut down to allocate the area for new buildings and enhance cleanliness. The King Bhumibol Adulyadej recognized the dramatic decrease in the number of rain trees. Hence on January 15, 1962 the king planted five trees that he brought from Hua Hin in front of the university auditorium and said "Hence I give these five trees as eternal memorial" (จึงขอฝากต้นไม้ไว้ห้าต้นให้เป็นเครื่องเตือนใจตลอดกาล).

Notable alumni

Chit Phumisak, "Che of Thailand".

Yong Poovorawan, a noted scientist in the fields of pediatric hepatology, viral hepatitis and virology, and an expert on the H5N1 avian influenza virus

Mallica Vajrathon, a sociologist, political scientist and former United Nations Senior Staff member.

Surakiart Sathirathai, a Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture and the former Thailand’s candidate for United Nations Secretary-Generalin 2006

Banjong Pisanthanakun, co-directed and co-written of a box-office hit film such as Shutter (which was re-made in the US as Shutter, and in India as Sivi and Alone)

• HRH Prince Mahidol Adulyadej of Songkhla, father of King Ananda Mahidol and King Bhumibol Adulyadej
• HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, princess of Narathiwat, Thailand
• HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, princess of Thailand
• HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, princess of Thailand
• Prawes Wasi, a winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award
• Banjong Pisanthanakun, a Thai film director and screenwriter, notable for his films Shutter and Alone.
• Surakiart Sathirathai, former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
• Mallica Vajrathon, a United Nations Senior Staff Member
• Win Lyovarin, a Thai writer, two-time winner of the S.E.A. Write Award
• Binlah Sonkalagiri, a winner of the S.E.A. Write Award
• Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, the deputy leader of the Thai Rak Thai party, former Thailand's Minister of Agriculture
• Thanpuying Dhasanawalaya Sornsongkram, daughter of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana
• HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, princess of Thailand
• Apinan Poshyananda, Director-General, Office of Contemporary Art, The Ministry of Culture and one of the top curators in the Asian region
• Montien Boonma, one of the most celebrated Asian contemporary artists
• Thongchai Winichakul, a professor in the History Department, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a specialist in the intellectual and cultural history of Thailand
• Decha Boonkham, Thailand National Artist in the area of applied arts (landscape architecture)
• Krisda Arunvongse, Thailand National Artist in the area of applied arts (contemporary architecture)
• Rawee Pawilai, a renowned expert on astronomy, and Thailand National Artist in the area of literature
• Prayom Songthong, Thailand National Artist in the area of literature
• Supachai Chansuwan, Thailand National Artist in the area of Thai dance
• Khunying Vinita Diteeyont, Thailand National Artist in the area of literature
• Jullatat Kitibud, Thailand National Artist in the area of applied arts (contemporary architecture)
• Nithi Sthapitanonda, one of Thailand's most renowned contemporary architects, and Thailand National Artist in the area of applied arts (contemporary architecture)
• Supa sirising or Botan, Thailand National Artist in the area of literature
• Pinyo Suwankiri, Thailand National Artist in the area of applied arts (Thai architecture)
• Borwornsak Uwanno, a Thai legal expert and a cabinet secretary-general under the Thaksin-government
• Kiatisuk Senamuang, a professional football player
• Sukhumbhand Paripatra, the 15th Governor of Bangkok
• Pasu Decharin, a guru in Blue Ocean Strategy
• Teerati Banterng, a columnist, www.eduzones.com, Top visited education website in Thailand by Truehit.net Web Award
• Montri Toemsombat, a well-known fashion artist
• Russamee Gulyanamitta or Russy Gulyanamitta, a professional golfer
• Narongrit Dhamabutra,^[29] Thai Composer
• Suporn Watanyusakul, pioneer in vaginoplasty & facial reconstruction
• Supachai Lorlowhakarn, Director of National Innovation Agency (NIA)^[30][31][32]
• Wichai Cherdshewasart, researched pueraria mirifica, known as kwao krua, and markets products claimed to be naturally breast enhancing.^[33]
• Pakorn Chatborirak, Thai actor and model.
• Yong Poovorawan, a noted scientist in the fields of pediatric hepatology, viral hepatitis and virology, and an expert on the H5N1 avian influenza virus
• Chit Phumisak, a Thai author, philologist, historian, poet and Communist rebel. His most influential book was The Face of Thai Feudalism (โฉมหน้าศักดินาไทย, Chom Na Sakdina Thai). He also has been described as the "Che of Thailand".

International Reputation

Robocup competitions

The university Robocup team, Plasma‐Z, got several prizes from the robotics competition as follow.^[34]

• In 2005, almost reached the quarter final at Osaka RoboCup.
• In 2006, the third place and technical challenge at Bremen RoboCup.
• In 2007, second place Atlanta World RoboCup.
• In 2008, finally the team got champion of World RoboCup Small‐Sized Robot League at Suzhou, China.

Moreover, another university Robocup team, Plasma-RX has participated in Rescue robot league at World RoboCup 2008, Suzhou, China, and won the first prize and the best-in-class in mobility award.^[35][36]

Academic controversy

• In April 2012, Times Higher Education raised concerns that Chulalongkorn failed to act against Supachai Lorlowhakarn, a senior government official who was found by a university investigation to have plagiarised his PhD thesis and who has also been accused of plagiarising an academic paper about organic asparagus production.^[37][38][39] Later, on 21 June 2012, the University formally withdrew the degree of PhD from Supachai Lorlowhakarn, the first time it had ever revoked a PhD.^[40]

Notes

See also

• Academic dress of Chulalongkorn University
• Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration of Chulalongkorn University
• Education in Thailand
• Chula United football club

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chulalongkorn_University.

• Chulalongkorn University official website
• Chulalongkorn University's channel on YouTube
• Chulalongkorn University on Facebook
• Chulalongkorn University on THES University Rankings

v t e Chulalongkorn University Faculties Allied Health Sciences Architecture Arts Chulalongkorn Business School Communication Arts Dentistry Economics Education Engineering Fine and Applied Arts Law Medicine Nursing Pharmaceutical Sciences Political Science Psychology Science Sport Sciences Veterinary Science Graduate studies Graduate School The Petroleum and Petrochemical College College of Public Health Science College of Population Studies Sasin Business School Research institutes Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute The Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Aquatic Resources Research Institute Environmental Research Institute Institute of Asian Studies Social Research Institute Transportation Institute The Halal Science Center History History People Alumni and faculty Sports and organizations Art for All Foundation Book Center Chamchuri Square Chula–Thammasat Traditional Football Match Jamjuree Art Gallery