University info history

In 1973, the Teachers’ College of Surat Thani advanced rapidly finally becoming Suratthani Rajabhat University.

The University is committed to working together with its students towards expanding knowledge and work competencies so that they may serve both the local community and the nation.

Pursuing the goal of becoming a regional prototype university for local development, Suratthani Rajabhat University has, as it was, planted the flag of victory on the field of education, with emphasis on responding to local needs, generating knowledge and taking the lead in preserving and developing our precious heritage of indigenous knowledge.

In its status as “People of the King, servants of the land”, and recalling that His Majesty the King graciously bestowed upon the university the name “Rajabhat” the University works to implement his plans and ideas.

In addition, the University has cooperative agreement with leading universities abroad, both for teachers’ development and for student exchanges.

Recognizing the importance of tourism and hotel management, the University has established the International School of Tourism in Koh Samui, Sarat Thani, partnering with first class hotels and domestic and international airlines, to provide on-the-job training for students and to serve as a knowledge-sharing center.

Suratthani Rajabhat University continues to enhance its potential with modern educational and recreational facilities.

For four decades, Suratthani Rajabhat University has been the firm intention to serve society through quality education, developing the people for the development of the nation.

Over time, the groves of laburnum, symbols of Suratthani Rajabhat University, have grown mighty.

The shoots of knowledge planted deep in fertile soil, cultivated and cared for, have now become beautiful trees cooling the land in the shade of their branches-contributing to the community with the highest academic standards, working in tune with local livelihoods as a regional university for true local development.

Suratthani Rajabhat University is located in Surat Thani Province on the east coast by the Gulf of Thailand, a stone through away from the beautiful tropical islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Surat Thani Province is 700 kilometres to the south of Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. A ten-minute drive away from the city of Surat Thani is located the first and largest university in the city, Suratthani Rajabhat University.

In 2010 International School of Tourism, Ko Samui, Surat Thani has been found. At the present, the school provides 3 curriculums; Bachelor of Arts Program in Tourism, Bachelor of Arts Program in Tourism Industry (Airline Business), and Bachelor of Business Administration (Global Management of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry)

Suratthani Rajabhat University arranged both regular and irregular curriculums to expand the educational opportunities for local people in Surat Thani, Currently offers undergraduate degrees and Postgraduate degrees in 8 faculties.

  • Faculty of Education
  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Science and Technology
  • Faculty of Management Science
  • Faculty of Nursing
  • Faculty of Law
  • International School of Tourism
  • Graduate School

Research Issues

  1. Religions, Arts and Culture
  2. Tourism
  3. Energy, Natural resources And Environment
  4. Community Health
  5. Food, Agriculture and Industry
  6. Human resource Development and Empowerment (Education)
  7. Politics, Society and Law
  8. Supply chain and Logistics
  9. Labor
  10. Science and Technology

“From Teacher’s College to Rajabhat University”

Surat Thani Teacher’s College

Surat Thani Teacher’s College

  • In 1973 Surat Thani Teacher’s College was established according to the policy and goals of the 3rd National Economic and Social Development Plan 1972-1973.
  • In 1976, opened for the first semester in academic certificate.
  • In 1977, according to the Teacher’s College Enactment in 1975 in section 7 and 8 and the Teacher Training Council, the government service is divided on 19 May 1977 as followed:
    1. 1. Office of the President
    2. 2. Faculty of Education
    3. 3. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
    4. 4. Faculty of Sciences

     

  • In 1978, opened for students in academic higher certificate.
  • In 1979, opened for academic staff in training for the first time on weekends (Bachelor’s Degree in Education).
  • In 1980, opened for students in Education, Bachelor’s Degree and cancelled for students in academic higher certificate.
  • In 1982, opened Centre of Training at Physical Education College in Chumpon Province and opened regular classes in Physical Education which is the cooperation with Physical Education College in Chumpon Province.
  • In 1983, opened for students in Career Technical Certificate, weekend classes
  • In 1984, opened for students in Career Technical Certificate, regular classes.
  • In 1985, according to the teacher enactment No.2 in 1984, the colleges were opened for Diploma students and Bachelor’s students in other fields. In this year, the Teacher Training Council was forced to become the United College in Southern area. For this reason, there was a Southern College Council which composed of 5 Teacher Colleges in the Southern area. There was also the United College at the Surat Thani Teacher’s College. It first opened for Junior and High school students to study at Surat Thani Demonstration School.

In 1987, according to the teacher enactment No.8 in 1975, amended by the teacher enactment No.2 in 1984 and on 17th April 1987 the Government Service of Surat Thani Teacher’s College was divided as followed:

  1. The President’s Office
  2. Faculty of Education
  3. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  4. Faculty of Management
  5. Faculty of Science and Technology
  6. Centre of Research and Academic Service
  7. Centre of Art and Culture
  8. Office of Student Affairs
  9. Office of Planning and Development
  10. Office of Academic Support

 

  • In 1989, the college was still opened for students like in the past and it also opened the Training Centre for the college staff at Sa-aard Phaderm Wittaya, Chumpon Province.
  • In 1990, there was the cooperation between the Institute of Science and Technology of Canada and Surat Thani Teacher’s College in order to develop the Management subject for 3 years. In the same year the college opened Health Science major for regular classes with the cooperation of Physical Education College in Chumporn.
  • In 1991, the Training Centre for the college staff at Sa-aard Phaderm Wittaya changed location to Sriyaphai School in Chumpon. In this year, the college had the cooperation with the Japan Government (JICA) by setting the Region Centre of Academic for teacher development in Chemical and Computer.

Surat Thani Rajabhat Institute

Surat Thani Rajabhat Institute

On 14th February 1992, King Rama IX changed the name Teacher’s College to Rajabhat Institute.

In 1993, the Arts Department opened for new students, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and the Science Department also opened Diploma for Computer Education Students as well as Agricultural Science for fourth years Students.

In 1995, according to Rajabhat Institute Enactment, Surat Thani Rajabhat Institute still opened for students like the past years.

In 1997, Surat Thani Rajabhat Institute stopped opening for Demonstration students because it had the policy to expand educational base from Bachelor Degree to Master Degree and the change of Teachers’Training.

In 1999, the Graduate School was built and first opened for Graduate students in Social Sciences for Development.

In 2000, there was the improvement in Education management from the staff  to the local people in order to open for everyone and opened one more Education Center in Ranong Province.

In 2001, Surat Thani Rajabhat Institute opened for both regular and contribution students. Also, there was the Education Management Project for local people and this year the Graduate school first opened for Education major students.

In 2002, the Institute increased more Science majors and decrease Education majors. There was only Diploma in Teaching Profession while there weren’t any Contribution students left. The new Center of Education was built in Koh Samui, Surat Thani Province and opened for the Graduate students in Development Strategy major and it was prepared  for being the University.

In 2003, the Institute was developed for being a complete university by increasing various majors both in Bachelor Degrees  and Graduate school.

Suratthani Rajabhat university

Suratthani Rajabhat university

In 2004, King Bhumipol (Rama IX) signed the Rajabhat University enactment on 9th June 2004 and it was announced in Government Gazette on 14th June 2004 and became effective the following day on 15th June 2004 onwards. This made all 41 Rajabhat Institutes become universities which are independent and legal. According to the law, they are Government Agencies with the budget of Office of the Higher Education Commission,  Ministry of Education.

In 2005, according to section 6 and section 11 paragraph 1 of Rajabhat University enactment in 2004, the Education Minister divided the Government agencies as followed:

  1. Office of the President
  2. Faculty of Education
  3. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  4. Faculty of Management
  5. Faculty of Science and Technology
  6. Institute of Research and Development
  7. Office of Academic Resources and Information Technology
  8. Office of Arts and Culture
  9. Office of Academic Support and Registration
  10. International School of Tourism

In 2008, Suratthani Rajabhat University opened two new faculties which were Faculty of Law and Faculty of Nursing and also the Tourism Industry Curriculum (Airline Business) English Programe.

In 2010, opened class Tourism Industry (Airline Business) at International School of Tourism, in Koh Samui, Surat Thani Province and opened PhD in Education Curriculum, Education Management Leadership major.

In 2012, the university adjusted the vision from “University Model of Asian Community for Local Development” and in 2013 it set the policy “Build and Development to become a 5-dimensional university” by the President Assist.Prof.Dr.Prayote Khupkarnchanakul and the Language Institute was built in this year for teaching and learning a foreign language as well as improving English skills of students and staff.

According to Education Development and various factor motivations, Surat Thani Rajabhat University was grown and strong in all sections. This made it became good quality for serving students and other people’s needs suitable for their capacities and Education Benchmark.

Management

Suratthani Rajabhat University is under the Board of Higher Education, there is the university council which is the highest organization to manage the university and to set all policies.

For Education management, the university has the Education Council to manage the academic, teaching and learning standard as well as to focus and set the academic policies. The university is divided into the internal sections as followed:

Faculty/College

There are 8 faculties/colleges to manage teaching and learning, research and Arts and Culture preservation as followed:

  1. Faculty of Education
  2. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  3. Faculty of Sciences and Technology
  4. Faculty of Management
  5. Faculty of Nursing
  6. Faculty of Law
  7. International School of Tourism
  8. Graduate School

Offices/Institutes

            There are 5 Offices/Institutes which support the faculties/colleges:

  1. Office of the President
  2. Office of Academic Support and Registration
  3. Office of Academic Resources and Information Technology
  4. Office of Research and Development
  5. Office of Arts and Culture