Chulalongkorn University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chulalongkorn University

จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย
Phra Kiao, Chulalongkorn University Seal
Former names	Royal Pages School Civil Service College of King Chulalongkorn
Motto	เกียรติภูมิจุฬาฯ คือเกียรติแห่งการรับใช้ประชาชน (unofficial) เสาหลักแห่งแผ่นดิน (vision statement)
Motto in English	Honour of Chula is the Honour of Serving the Public (unofficial) Pillar of the Kingdom (vision statement)
Type	Autonomous public university
Established	26 March 1917; 108 years ago (1917-03-26)
Founder	King Vajiravudh
Academic affiliation	ASAIHL, AUN, APRU, Washington University in St. Louis McDonnell International Scholars Academy
Budget	5,535 million baht (FY2019)
President	Wilert Puriwat
Students	37,626
Undergraduates	26,202
Postgraduates	8,029
Doctoral students	2,627
Location	Pathum Wan, Bangkok , Thailand 13°44′18″N 100°31′56″E / 13.738359°N 100.532097°E / 13.738359; 100.532097
Campus	Downtown 2.0944 km2 (0.8087 sq mi)
Anthem	"Maha Chulalongkorn" ("Great Chulalongkorn")
Colours	Pink
Mascot	Samanea saman
Website

Chulalongkorn University (often called CU or Chula) is a well-known public university in Bangkok, Thailand. It's special because it's an "autonomous" university, meaning it has a lot of freedom in how it runs. It's also a "research university," which means it focuses a lot on new discoveries and studies.

The university started a long time ago, in 1899, during the reign of King Chulalongkorn. It began as a school to train people to work for the royal family and the government. Later, in 1917, it officially became a national university. This makes it the oldest university in Thailand!

King Vajiravudh, King Chulalongkorn's son, helped the school grow. He renamed it "Chulalongkorn University" in honor of his father. The Rockefeller Foundation also helped the university build its strong academic programs.

Chulalongkorn University is one of Thailand's National Research Universities. It's also the only Thai university that is part of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), a group of top universities around the Pacific Ocean.

Chulalongkorn University

Today, CU has many different parts, including nineteen faculties (like departments), a School of Agriculture, three colleges, and ten institutes. Its campus is very large and is located right in downtown Bangkok. A special tradition is that graduates receive their diplomas directly from the King of Thailand. This tradition started with King Prajadhipok.

History of Chulalongkorn University

The university was named after King Chulalongkorn

Statues of King Chulalongkorn and King Vajiravudh

Thailand wanted to become a modern country, and for that, it needed many trained officials. So, in 1899, King Chulalongkorn started the "Civil Service Training School." It was located near the Grand Palace. Students who finished school here would become "royal pages." This meant they would work closely with the king and learn how to manage things. After that, they would work in government ministries.

On April 1, 1902, the King changed the school's name to the "Royal Pages School." Later, on January 1, 1911, King Vajiravudh renamed it the "Civil Service College of King Chulalongkorn." This was to remember his father. The school also moved to Windsor Palace in the Pathumwan District.

King Vajiravudh helped build the university campus. He brought different schools from around the city together to form Chulalongkorn. The college offered eight main subjects through five schools, including:

• School of International Relations
• School of Teacher Training
• Royal Medical College
• School of Legal Studies
• School of Mechanical Sciences

Chulalongkorn University Auditorium

King Rama VI believed that education should be for everyone, not just government workers. So, on March 26, 1917, the college became "Chulalongkorn University." The different schools turned into four main faculties: Arts and Sciences, Public Administration, Engineering, and Medicine.

The Rockefeller Foundation helped improve the medical programs. In 1923, the Faculty of Medicine was the first to accept students who had finished secondary school. Other faculties soon followed. After the 1932 Revolution, the Faculty of Law and Political Science moved to a new place, becoming Thammasat University in 1933.

In 1938, Chulalongkorn University started a Preparatory School. This school helped students get ready for university. Students would spend two years there before going to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. However, this preparatory school later became an independent school called Triam Udom Suksa School in 1947. The university then created the Chulalongkorn University Demonstration School (CUD) for younger students, which also helps train future teachers.

Chulalongkorn University

University Symbols

Phra Kiao Emblem

Pra Kiao model, CU Museum

Since the very beginning, when the university was the Royal Pages School, King Chulalongkorn allowed it to use his personal emblem. This emblem is called Phra Kiao. It's a special Thai coronet, which is like a royal crown worn by young princes and princesses.

When the school became a university, the King still allowed the use of Phra Kiao. Today, you can see Phra Kiao on official documents, souvenirs, and even on student uniforms. It's a very important symbol for the university.

Student Uniforms

Students at Chulalongkorn University are required to wear a uniform when they are studying, taking exams, or visiting the university offices.

The university uniform was inspired by the clothes worn by King Chulalongkorn's own children. Over time, the uniform has been updated, but there's also a special formal uniform. This formal uniform is usually worn by student leaders and when students graduate.

For male undergraduate students, the everyday uniform is a plain white shirt with dark trousers. First-year students must wear a dark blue necktie with a colored Phra Kiao on it. Older students can choose to wear a black tie with a silver Phra Kiao pin.

Female students wear a short-sleeved blouse with special metal buttons that have a small Phra Kiao emblem pinned on the right side. They wear a dark blue or black pleated skirt with black, white, or brown shoes. First-year female students must wear white leather shoes. Chulalongkorn University's uniforms have been a model for many other universities in Thailand.

Academic Dress

The special robes worn for graduation at Chulalongkorn University are based on traditional Thai ceremonial clothes called khrui. These robes are made from a fine mesh fabric. Originally, these robes were worn by monks before they became priests, by government ministers, and by members of the royal family.

The robes are open in the front and reach to the calves, similar to academic robes in the United Kingdom. However, they don't include a cap or a hood. The edges of the gown are decorated with a felt strip and gold ribbons. The color of the felt strip shows the wearer's degree.

• For Bachelor's and Master's degrees, the felt strip is black.
• For Doctoral degrees, the felt strip is scarlet (a bright red).
• The robes for professors and university leaders have a pink strip with a gold thread.
• A special gown with a yellow facing is reserved for the King of Thailand, who is the "Visitor to the University."

King Vajiravudh allowed the university to use this traditional Thai gown instead of Western-style robes. The rules for wearing these robes were officially set in 1930 by King Prajadhipok.

Examples of Felt Strips

• 

  Visitor to the University's robe
• 

  Officer's robe
• 

  Faculty of Science BSc
• 

  Faculty of Science MSc or MRes
• 

  Faculty of Science PhD
• 

  Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy B.Acc.
• 

  Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy MAcc
• 

  Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy DCom

Rain Trees on Campus

Rain Tree near CU Auditorium

You'll find many Rain trees on the university campus. These trees are special to students and are linked to their school life. When the term starts, the fresh green leaves represent new students. As the trees drop their leaves, the ground becomes slippery. This reminds students to study hard for exams so they don't "slip" (fail). If they are careful, they will pass!

Many rain trees were cut down between 1937 and 1957 to make space for new buildings. King Bhumibol Adulyadej noticed this. On January 15, 1962, he brought five new trees from Hua Hin and planted them in front of the university auditorium. He said these trees would be "an eternal memorial."

University Organization

Chulalongkorn Business School

Bundit Building

Chulalongkorn Business School in 2022

Faculty of Communication Arts

Chulalongkorn University has 19 faculties, three colleges, one school, and many institutes. These are all places where students learn and research is done.

When the university started in 1917, it had four faculties: Arts and Sciences, Public Administration, Engineering, and Medicine. Over the years, it grew to include many more subjects like Pharmacy (1934), Veterinary Science (1935), Architecture (1939), Dentistry (1940), and Commerce and Accountancy (1943).

In 1943, some of the medical faculties became part of a new university, which is now Mahidol University. But later, in 1967, the Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Faculty of Medicine returned to Chulalongkorn University. The Faculty of Dentistry and Faculty of Pharmacy also came back in 1972.

In 2009, the Office of the Commission on Agricultural Resource Education (OCARE) was created. It became the School of Agricultural Resources (SAR) in 2014, offering degrees in agriculture.

In 2019, Chulalongkorn University started the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII). This school offers a unique degree that combines both arts and science, helping students prepare for new jobs in the future.

CU central campus

Health Sciences Programs

• 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

Science and Technology Programs

• Faculty of Architecture
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Science
• School of Agricultural Resources

Social Science and Humanities Programs

• Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy (also known as Chulalongkorn Business School)
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Communication Arts
• Faculty of Economics
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Political Science

Integrated Faculty

• School of Integrated Innovation

International Programs

Inside Chulalongkorn University Auditorium

Chulalongkorn University offers many international programs, with 99 options in total. These include 17 Bachelor's degrees, 48 Master's degrees, and 34 Doctoral degrees. Students from other countries can apply based on rules set by the Council of University Presidents of Thailand.

Some Bachelor's Degrees offered internationally are:

• Chula International School of Engineering
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Architecture – International Program of Design and Architecture -INDA- and CommDe
• School of Integrated Innovation – Bachelor of Arts and Science in Integrated Innovation (BAScii)
• Chulalongkorn Business School – The Bachelor of Business Administration
• Faculty of Architecture
• Faculty of Communication Arts
• Faculty of Economics
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Political Science
• Faculty of Psychology
• Faculty of Law

Graduate Institutes

• College of Population Studies
• College of Public Health Science
• Graduate School
• Language Institute
• Petroleum and Petrochemical College
• Sasin School of Management

Research Institutes

• 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

Associated Institutes

• Police Nursing College
• Red Cross College of Nursing

Research at Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University has many research groups that study different topics.

University Rankings

Overall Rankings

Chulalongkorn University is often ranked as one of the top universities in Thailand and Asia. Here are some of its past rankings:

• In 2016, it was ranked as the top Thai university and 45th in Asia by QS Asia University Rankings.
• In 2017/18, it was ranked 1st in Thailand and 245th in the world by QS World University Rankings.
• In 2016, it was the No. 1 university in Thailand for graduate employability and ranked 151–200 in the world.
• In 2017, the Center for World University Ranking (CWUR) placed Chulalongkorn as the No. 1 university in Thailand and 308th in the world.
• In 2017, the Round University Ranking placed it 1st in Thailand and 398th in the world.
• In 2016, the Nature Index ranked Chulalongkorn 1st in Thailand for high-quality scientific articles.
• US News ranked Chulalongkorn 522nd in the world in 2023.
• In 2018, the Times Higher Education Emerging Economies Index ranked Chula 126th.
• Chulalongkorn was ranked 1st nationally and 15th globally in the UI Green Metric-City Center for its efforts in sustainability.

Subject Rankings

The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 showed Chula as number one in Thailand in 32 different subjects. Here are some of its top global rankings:

University Campus

Chulalongkorn University dormitory

The university campus is located in downtown Pathum Wan District. It covers a large area, about half of the land owned by the university. The rest of the land is used for businesses or other institutions.

Centenary Park

On the west side of the campus is the Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park. This park was built to celebrate the university's 100th anniversary in 2017. It has special features like a pond that can hold a lot of water and a "rain garden." These features help to manage water and prevent flooding in Bangkok during heavy rains.

Student Accommodation

Chulalongkorn University International House (CU iHouse) is a tall building with 26 floors and 846 rooms. It's on campus and provides housing for international students and teachers. The rooms are fully furnished and have air conditioning, modern comforts, and 24-hour security. The university also provides shuttle bus services to the residence.

Honorary Degrees

The university has given special honorary degrees to important leaders and famous people from around the world. These include two U.S. presidents:

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

University Traditions

Chulalongkorn University has several fun and important traditions for its students:

• Chula–Thammasat Traditional Football Match: This is an annual football game between Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University. It happens in January at Suphashalasai Stadium and started in 1934.
• Loy Krathong: This is a yearly celebration on the night of the full moon, usually in November. Many people, especially students and faculty, come to the university to float their krathongs (decorated baskets) on the university's pond.
• Chulalongkorn Academic Exhibition: Every three years, the university holds a big exhibition to show off the academic work and research done by its students and teachers. It's one of the most important academic fairs in Thailand.

Student Activities and Clubs

The university has about 40 student clubs. These include clubs for Buddhism and Traditions, Religious Studies, Mind Study, and Thai Classical Music. There's also a Morals Network that works to make sure student activities are good for the university's reputation. The student government helps organize the Chula-Thammasat traditional football match with the university's alumni.

The Student Union of Chulalongkorn University is the main student group. It has two parts: the Student Government and the Student Council. The Student Government handles the day-to-day running of things, while the Student Council makes the rules. The Student Union was created in 1986.

The Student Government has 30 students. Ten of these, including the President, are chosen by all students in direct elections. The other 20 positions are filled by the leaders of student unions from each faculty.

The Student Council has 60 full members, with three representatives from each faculty. These members then choose the President of the Student Council. Also, 20 first-year students from each faculty join as associate members, but they can't vote in the main meetings.

The university requires students to wear school uniforms. In 2022, the Political Science Student Union discussed ideas for changes in dress practices.

Notable Alumni

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

Thawan Thamrongnawasawat

Paetongtarn Shinawatra

Wan Muhamad Noor Matha

Padipat Suntiphada

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut

Chaithawat Tulathon

Chadchart Sittipunt

Sudarat Keyuraphan

Surakiart Sathirathai

Chit Phumisak

Tiang Sirikhanth

Boonlua Debyasuvarn

Prince Subhadradis Diskul

Violette Wautier

Urassaya Sperbund

Panipak Wongpattanakit

Sapsiree Taerattanachai

Many famous people have studied at Chulalongkorn University, including:

• Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, a Princess of Thailand
• Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, a Princess of Thailand
• Thawan Thamrongnawasawat, a former Prime Minister of Thailand
• Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a former Prime Minister of Thailand
• Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, a Thai politician and Speaker of the House of Representatives
• Padipat Suntiphada, a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives
• Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, a former President of the Senate of Thailand
• Surakiart Sathirathai, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Kittiratt Na-Ranong, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
• Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce
• Phumtham Wechayachai, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce
• Mingkwan Saengsuwan, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce
• Kosit Panpiemras, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry
• Yongyuth Wichaidit, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
• Sudarat Keyuraphan, a Thai politician and former Minister of Public Health
• Chaikasem Nitisiri, a Thai politician and former Minister of Justice
• Kalaya Sophonpanich, a Thai politician and physicist, former Minister of Science and Technology
• Anek Laothamatas, a Thai political scientist, former Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation
• Jakrapob Penkair, a former Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister
• Tiang Sirikhanth, a Minister and leader of The Free Thai Movement
• Chaithawat Tulathon, a Thai politician and Leader of the Opposition
• Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, a Thai politician and Leader of the Opposition
• Chadchart Sittipunt, a Thai politician and Governor of Bangkok
• Bhichit Rattakul, a Thai politician and former Governor of Bangkok
• Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a Thai politician and businessman
• Chit Phumisak, a Thai historian, activist, author, and poet
• Boonsanong Punyodyana, a Thai politician
• Boonlua Debyasuvarn, a Thai writer and educator
• Kitti Thonglongya, a Thai ornithologist (bird expert) and mammalogist (mammal expert)
• Prince Subhadradis Diskul, a Thai archaeologist and historian
• Nidhi Eoseewong, a Thai historian
• Therdchai Jivacate, a Thai orthopedic surgeon and inventor
• Nilawan Pintong, a Thai feminist
• Panipak Wongpattanakit, a Thai taekwondo athlete who won gold medals at the 2020 Summer Olympics and 2024 Summer Olympics
• Tawin Hanprab, a silver medalist in taekwondo at the 2016 Summer Olympics
• Chanatip Sonkham, a bronze medalist in taekwondo at the 2012 Summer Olympics
• Sapsiree Taerattanachai, a Thai badminton player who won a gold medal at the 2021 World Championships
• Dhasanawalaya Sornsongkram, daughter of Princess Galyani Vadhana
• Pinyo Suwankiri, a Thailand National Artist in Thai architecture
• Anchalee Vivatanachai, a Thai writer
• Chiranan Pitpreecha, a Thai writer
• Binlah Sonkalagiri, a Thai writer
• Win Lyovarin, a Thai writer
• Yong Poovorawan, a Thai scientist and professor
• Pornanong Aramwit, a pharmaceutical scientist and pharmacist
• Prasarn Trairatvorakul, a Thai banker and former governor of the Bank of Thailand
• Phanya Nirunkul, a Thai businessman and TV presenter
• Banjong Pisanthanakun, a Thai filmmaker and screenwriter
• Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, a Thai writer, screenwriter, and film director
• Artiwara Kongmalai, a Thai rock music singer
• Violette Wautier, a Thai singer, songwriter, and actress
• Alexander Rendell, a Thai actor and model
• Chaiyapol Julien Poupart, a Thai actor and model
• Chutavuth Pattarakampol, a Thai actor and model
• Pakorn Chatborirak, a Thai actor and model
• Tawan Vihokratana, a Thai actor and model
• Thitipoom Techaapaikhun, a Thai actor
• Natapohn Tameeruks, a Thai actor and model
• Urassaya Sperbund, a Thai actress and model
• Taksaorn Paksukcharern, a Thai actress and model
• Pimprapa Tangprabhaporn, a Thai actress and model
• Sutatta Udomsilp, a Thai actress
• Pachara Chirathivat, a Thai actor and TV presenter
• Suppasit Jongcheveevat, a Thai actor and model
• Waruntorn Paonil, a Thai actress and singer
• Tontawan Tantivejakul, a Thai actress and model

International Recognition

• The PH21 team, made up of Computer Engineering students from Chulalongkorn University, won first prize in the games category at the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2016.
• The Chulalongkorn University Concert Choir won a Gold Award at a World-Class Musical Competition in 2014.

Robocup Competitions

The university's RoboCup team, Plasma‐Z, has won several awards in robotics competitions:

• In 2005, they almost reached the quarter-finals at the Osaka RoboCup.
• In 2006, they won third place and a technical challenge award at the Bremen RoboCup.
• In 2007, they took second place at the Atlanta World RoboCup.
• In 2008, the team finally became champions of the World RoboCup Small‐Sized Robot League in Suzhou, China.

Another university RoboCup team, Plasma-RX, also won first prize and the "best-in-class in mobility" award in the Rescue robot league at the World RoboCup 2008 in Suzhou, China.

See also

In Spanish: Universidad Chulalongkorn para niños

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