Kasetsart University

Infobox_University
name = Kasetsart University
native_name = มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์

speedy-image-c
established = 1943
type = Public
staff =
president = Asso. Prof. Vudtechai Kapilakanchana
students =
undergrad = 36,512
postgrad = 10,381 (2005 academic year)
city = Bangkok
country = Thailand
campus = Urban and Rural (varied by campus)
colours = Green
mascot = Yellow Poinciana Tree, Gamecock
affiliations = ASAIHL
website = http://www.ku.ac.th

Kasetsart University (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์) is the first agricultural university and the third oldest university in Thailand. It was established on February 2, 1943, with the primary aims in promoting subjects related to agricultural science. The University has revised its curricula and expanded the subject areas to cover science, arts, social sciences, humanities, education, engineering, and architecture. Recently, the University made an attempt to include medicine and health science. Kasetsart University has established seven campuses in various regions of Thailand. At present, the number of enrolled students at all levels of study exceeds 35,000.

History

The establishment of Kasetsart University was part of the evolution of agricultural education in the country which began with the founding of a system of technical schools. This era may be divided into three periods.

The initial period (1904-1913)

Western-styled agricultural education in Thailand began with the establishment in 1904 of the School of Sericulture or “Rong-Rian Chang Mai” (โรงเรียนช่างไหม) in Tambon Thung Saladaeng, Bangkok, offering a two-year program entirely in sericulture. In 1906, the program was extended to three years and included cultivation of other crops and veterinary science, and the name was changed to the School of Agriculture or “Rong-Rian Vicha Karn Porh Pluke” (โรงเรียนวิชาการเพาะปลูก). In 1908, the School was merged with the School of Surveying, the School of Irrigation by the Ministry of Agriculture in order to train personnel to serve in the Ministry. The school was re-named the School of the Ministry of Agriculture and Thailand’s first tertiary-level agriculture curriculum was drawn up and was inaugurated in 1909. The school was merged with the Civil Service School in 1913 by the Government of Siam and was placed under the Ministry of Public Instruction and Religion.

The middle period (1914-1923)

During this time, the Primary School Agriculture Teacher Training School was established and offered a two-year higher education program awarding a certificate in primary school agricultural education. The school was initially located in Bangkok but was moved to Nakhorn Pathom province in 1918.

The later period (1924-1942)

In 1924, the Primary School Agriculture Teacher Training School was moved to Prajuab Khirikhan Province and a second branch of the School was established in Saraburi Province in 1926. At this time, agricultural education at both primary and secondary school levels were provided through various technical schools. In 1931, Siam’s agricultural education was back in the hands of the Ministry of Agriculture as upcountry agricultural research stations and teacher training schools were planned to be set up in concert.

In 1933, the Mae Jo Primary School Agriculture Teacher Training School was established in Chiang Mai Province. The School is now known as Mae Jo University, Kasetsart’s sister university that bears the same insignia.

In 1935, as the number of agriculture teachers exceeded the demand, the government planned to close down three news primary agriculture teacher training schools, one of which was Mae Jo, the three founding fathers of Kasetsart, namely Luang Ingkhasikasikan, Luang Suwan Vajokkasikij, and Phra Chuangkasetsinlapakan together proposed a project whereby the Mae Jo school was retained as a secondary-level agriculture technical school. This was later elevated to become the College of Agriculture, with the status of a division in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

In 1938, the Ministry of Agriculture established the Central Agriculture Station, or Kaset Klang (เกษตรกลาง) in Bang Khen District of Bangkok, and the College of Agriculture was moved down from Chiang Mai to Bangkok as well. The College offered three-year certificate programs in agriculture, cooperative science, and forestry.

On February 2, 1943, Kasetsart University (มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์), translated as the “University of Agriculture”, was founded by the Kasetsart University Act of 1943. Although the name may suggest accordingly, the university offers many excellent programs considered among the top in the country including agriculture, agro-industry, forestry, fishery and engineering.

Faculties

Bang Khen Campus

* [http://www.agr.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Agriculture]
* [http://www.bus.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Business Administration]
* [http://www.fish.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Fisheries]
* [http://human.hum.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Humanities]
* [http://www.forest.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Forestry]
* [http://www.sci.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Science]
* [http://www.eng.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Engineering]
* [http://www.soc.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Social Sciences]
* [http://www.vet.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine]
* [http://www.edu.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Education]
* [http://www.eco.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Economics]
* [http://www.agro.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Agro-Industry]
* [http://www.arch.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Architecture]
* [http://vettech.vet.ku.ac.th/ Faculty of Veterianry Technology]
* [http://www.grad.ku.ac.th/ Graduate School]
* [http://www.ce.ku.ac.th/ College of Environment]

Kamphaeng Saen Campus

* Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen
* Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen
* Faculty of Education at Kamphaeng Saen
* Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science
* Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Sri Racha Campus

* Faculty of Management Sciences
* Faculty of Engineering at Si Racha
* Faculty of Resources and Environment

Chaloemphrakiat Sakhon Nakhon Campus

* Faculty of Natural Resources and Agro-Industry
* Faculty of Science and Engineering
* Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science Management

Campuses

*Bang Khen (Main and Original Campus)
*Kamphaeng Saen
*Sri Racha
*Chaloemphrakiat Sakhon Nakhon
*Lopburi
*Suphanburi
*Krabi

ee also

* List of universities in Thailand
* List of colleges and universities
* Kasetsart University Laboratory School

External links

* [http://www.ku.ac.th Kasetsart University web site in Thai]
* [http://www.ku.ac.th/english2003 Kasetsart University web site in English ]