Chulalongkorn University (Thai: จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย; rtgs: Chulalongkon Mahawitthayalai; [t͡ɕù.lāː.lōŋ.kɔ̄ːn má.hǎː.wít.tʰá.jāː.lāj]), abbreviated either CU or Chula (Thai: จุฬาฯ), is a public and autonomous research university in Bangkok, Thailand. It is ranked as Thailand's No. 1 university from various organizers such as QS world university ranking, Round university ranking, Center for world university ranking etc. The university was established in 1917, making it the oldest institute of higher education in Thailand.
The university began taking shape during King Chulalongkorn's reign when he founded the Royal Pages School in 1902 at The Grand Palace of Thailand. During the reign of his son, King Vajiravudh, the Royal Pages School became the Civil Service College of King Chulalongkorn. The Rockefeller Foundation was instrumental in helping the college from its academic foundation. On March 26, 1917, King Vajiravudh renamed the college to "Chulalongkorn University".
Chulalongkorn University is ranked as the top university in Thailand in many aspects of qualities covering the quality of the university itself, quality of students, quality of researches, quality in particular subjects, university reputation, environmental management systems. According to QS university ranking 2016. CU is placed 252nd in the world, 45th in Asia, 1st in Thailand, and 151-200 in the graduate employability ranking.
Chulalongkorn University is one of the National Research Universities and supported by the Office of Nation Education Standards and Quality Assessment of Thailand. Moreover, CU is the only Thai university which is a member of Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU).
Admission to CU is highly selective, and applicants are required to have high test scores. Applicants ranking within the top 10 national scores is chosen for study at CU.
CU comprises nineteen faculties, a School of Agriculture, three colleges, ten institutes and two other schools. Its campus occupies a vast area in downtown Bangkok. Graduates customarily received their diplomas from the King of Thailand, a tradition begun by King Prajadhipok (Rama VII); King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the reigning monarch, has since delegated the responsibility to his daughter, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, for health reasons.
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 near the northern gate of the Royal Palace. Those who graduated from the school would become 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 the king thought the name of the school should be renamed to increase the dignity of students and graduates. Hence the name Royal Pages School (Thai: โรงเรียนมหาดเล็ก) was later used. Later, on January 1, 1911, 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), and the schools were transformed into four faculties: Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Public Administration, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Medicine.
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 of "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 spend 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.
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. The emblem is 'Phra Kiao', or Thai style coronet which is made to fit hair topknot. As the school was transformed into the 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 the university and student uniforms.
Undergraduate students are required to wear the 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 a properly long skirt are required for female students.
Originally, the university uniform was adapted from uniform worn by Chulalongkorn's heirs. Later, the uniform was changed into more modernized version but the 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 the 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 a short-sleeved blouse with a 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. Chulalongkorn University's uniform has long been the template of uniforms used in other universities in Thailand.
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 the United Kingdom, the robe is open-fronted and calf-length. Cap and hood, however, are omitted. Colored felt strip decorated with gold-colored ribbons is attached to the margin of the gown including elbow and wrist. Bachelor and master students use the black strip, while respective scarlet and pink are for doctors (including honorary degrees recipients) and lecturers. Yellow strip is specially used for the king of Thailand.
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. The gown was authorized for use by Vajiravudh.
Rain tree is very common on the university campus. It was deeply associated with 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).
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" (Thai: จึงขอฝากต้นไม้ไว้ห้าต้นให้เป็นเครื่องเตือนใจตลอดกาล).
Chulalongkorn University consists of 19 faculties, 3 colleges, 1 school and many institutes which function as a teaching and researching unit.
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. 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). 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.
Office of Commission on Agricultural Resource Education (OCARE) was established in 2009. It is actually not administration office but the school in which teaching and research are carried out. It intakes students from two groups: one from Northern Thailand provinces (Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Uttaradit) and another from the rest of country. It has been upgraded into School of Agricultural Resources with full degree-granting power by university council on 5 March 2014.
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences
Faculty of Dentistry
Faculty of Medicine
Faculty of Nursing
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Faculty of Psychology
Faculty of Sport Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Faculty of Architecture
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Science
School of Agricultural Resources
Chulalongkorn Business School
Faculty of Arts (Language&Literature)
Faculty of Communication Arts
Faculty of Economics
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts (Art)
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Political Science
College of Population Studies
College of Public Health Science
Graduate School
Language Institute
Petroleum and Petrochemical College
Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration
Aquatic Resources Research Institute
Energy Research Institute
Environmental Research Institute
Institute of Asian Studies
Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute
Social Research Institute
Transportation Institute
Police Nursing College
Red Cross College of Nursing
Chulalongkorn University has research organizations in many fields of study.
The other research supporting organization.
The Unisearch purposes to promote academic staffs and researchers to publish their researches and The Intellectual Property Institute purposes to help the researchers register their patents. CU also supports endowments to set up Research Units(RU) and Center of Excellence(CE). Nowadays, CU has over 100 research units and 20 national Center of Excellence.
In the QS Asia University Rankings 2016. Chulalongkorn has been ranked as the top Thai university and 45th in Asia
In the QS World University Rankings 2016/17. Chulalongkorn is ranked the 1st in Thailand and 252nd in the world
In the QS graduate employability rankings 2016. Chulalongkorn is No. 1 university in Thailand and No. 151 - 200 in the world
In the Center for World University Ranking or CWUR, Chulalongkorn is ranked as number 1 university in Thailand and 320th in world rankings in 2016, considered by alumni, researches, quality of curriculums and instructors.
In the Round University Ranking 2016. Chulalongkorn is ranked the 1st in Thailand and ranked 424th in the world.
In the RUR Research Performance World University Rankings 2016. Chulalongkorn is No. 1 university in Thailand and No. 424 in the world
In the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2016. Chulalongkorn is ranked the 1st in Thailand and ranked 432nd in the world.
In the THE World University Rankings 2016. Chulalongkorn is ranked 601- 800 in the world.
In the RUR Reputation Rankings 2016. Chulalongkorn is No. 1 university in Thailand and No. 182 in the world.
In the SCImago institutions Ranking, which ranks international researches of universities. Chulalongkorn is ranked 475th in World rankings in 2016, up six places from last year.
In the U.S. News. Chulalongkorn is ranked 579th in the world. considered by the university's reputation, medium, citations, international cooperation, the quantity of Ph.D. students, etc.
QS World University Ranking by Subject 2016
27 subjects that CU tops in the country's list includes:
Arts & Humanities
Anthropology
English Language & Literature
History
Modern Languages
Linguistics
Philosophy
Engineering & Technology
Chemical Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering
Mineral & Mining Engineering
Life Sciences & Medicine
Biological Sciences
Dentistry
Psychology
Veterinary Science
Natural Sciences
Physics & Astronomy
Mathematics
Environmental Sciences
Earth & Marine Sciences
Chemistry
Materials Sciences
Geography
Social Sciences & Management
Accounting & Finance
Communication & Media Studies
Social Policy & Administration
Economics & Econometrics
Politics & International Studies
9 subjects that CU comes in second on the country's list includes:
Arts & Humanities
Architecture / Built Environment
Engineering & Technology
Engineering – Civil & Structural
Life Sciences & Medicine
Medicine
Nursing
Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Social Sciences & Management
Education
Business & Management
Sociology
Statistics & Operational Research
3 subjects that CU ranks third in the country's list includes:
Arts & Humanities
Performing Arts
Social Sciences & Management
Development Studies
Law
Other Rankings
QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2017 indicates the impressive alumni outcomes or the strongest reputation among employers. Chulalongkorn University has been ranked as Number 1 in Thailand and 151-200 in the World.
In the Nature Index, the affiliations of high-quality scientific articles. Chulalongkorn is ranked the 1st in Thailand in 2016.
In the UI Green Metric-City Center, Chulalongkorn was ranked the 1st in national rankings and the 15th in world rankings. considered by Setting and Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Waste, Water, Transportation and Education.
The Webometric ranking indicates quantity and quality of the university's medium, considered by being searched by search engines, online documents, and citations in Google Scholar. Chulalongkorn is ranked 452th in the world.
Panoramic view of Chulalongkorn: http://www.chula.ac.th/CUpanoV1/CuPano.html
International Programs offered at Chulalongkorn University
The 90th Anniversary of Chulalongkorn University Scholarship
CU.Graduate School Thesis Grant
Overseas Research Experience Scholarship for Graduate Student
Overseas Academic Presentation Scholarship for Graduate Students
Overseas Academic Presentation Scholarship Option II for Graduate Student's and Postdoctoral Fellow's Publication
Domestic Academic Presentation Scholarship for Graduate Student
Postdoctoral Fellowship
The 100th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University for Doctoral Scholarship
H.M. the King Bhumibhol Adulyadej's 72nd Birthday Anniversary Scholarship
Thainess Study Schorlarship for Graduate Students
60/40 Support for Tuition Fee
Teaching Assistant Scholarship
Research Assistant Scholarship
Tuition fees Scholarship for Master to Doctoral
ASEAN Scholarship
Scholarship for International Graduate Students
for more details see Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University.
Chulalongkorn University International House (CU iHouse)
Chulalongkorn University International House ( CU iHouse) is a 26-storey, 846-unit, on campus residence for international students and lecturers. Rooms come fully furnished with air conditioning, modern conveniences, 24-hour security and safety systems. The residence is included in the university’s shuttle bus services.
for more details see website
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
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.
The University is host to 40 student clubs, including the Buddhism and Traditions Club, the Religious Studies Club, the Mind Study Club, and the Thai Classical Music Club. Chulalongkorn also have 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.
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
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)
Surakiart Sathirathai, former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture and the former Thailand's candidate for United Nations Secretary-General in 2006
Mallica Vajrathon, a sociologist, political scientist and former 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
Thanpuying Dhasanawalaya Sornsongkram, daughter of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana
Apinan Poshyananda, Director-General, Office of Contemporary Art, The Ministry of Culture and one of the top curators in the Asian region
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
Thitiya Rangsitpol a Politician, the 1st Spokesperson Ministry of Defence 1995,Deputy Secretary of Defence 2001and Congress Woman of Thailand 2001-2005
Suporn Watanyusakul, pioneer in vaginoplasty & facial reconstruction
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 (Thai: โฉมหน้าศักดินาไทย, Chom Na Sakdina Thai). He also has been described as the "Che of Thailand".
Alexander Rendell, Thai actor and model.
Natapohn Tameeruks, Thai actor and model.
Urassaya Sperbund, Thai actor and model.
Two medals from Olympic 2016 Rio de Janeiro games
Tawin Hanprab, Silver medal, Men's −58 kg taekwondo.
Panipak Wongpattanakit, Bronze medal, Women's −49 kg taekwondo.
The PH21 team, Computer Engineering students at Chulalongkorn University, got the 1st prize from the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2016 in the games category
Chulalongkorn University Concert Choir Won Gold Award in World-Class Musical Competition 2014
The university Robocup team, Plasma‐Z, got several prizes from the robotics competition as follow.
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.