Co-organizers
Chulalongkorn University (CU)
“Thailand’s first institution of higher learning”, Founded in March 1917, Chulalongkorn University is Thailand’s first institution of higher learning. The groundwork and preparation for the university’s establishment, however, took place almost half a century earlier. The worldwide economic, social and political changes in the late nineteenth century compelled Siam, as Thailand was officially called until 1939, to adapt in order to avoid Western colonization. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) introduced a royal policy to strengthen and improve the government so that the country could successfully resist the tides of colonialism. One of the major parts of this policy was to improve the Siamese educational system to produce capable personnel to work in both the public and private sectors. To this end, a school was founded in 1871 at the Royal Pages Barracks within the Grand Palace compound. Then, in 1882, King Chulalongkorn upgraded the school and gave it the name “Suankularb”. In the same year, the King also established other schools, including the Army Cadet School, the Cartographic School, the School for Princes and the School for Dhamma Studies.
Mission
The main mission of Chulalongkorn University is to be the center for academic learning and professional excellence. This is in line with the vision of the university’s founder, King Rama VI, who established the university as a tribute to his father, King Rama V.
Through the pursuit, development, dissemination and application of knowledge, Chulalongkorn University works to educate students with professional know-how and research skills, as well as preserve the arts, culture, and values. In addition to academic knowledge and learning, the university hopes to instill in students a sense of morality, social responsibility, and public service.
Contact
Chulalongkorn University Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Thailand Tel: +66 2215 3555
Website: www.chula.ac.th
Email: int.off@chula.ac.th
Thai National Commission for UNESCO (Thai Natcom)
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO, was founded on November 16, 1945. UNESCO’s mission is to contribute to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.
Thailand became a member of UNESCO on January 1, 1949, and on October 26, 1949, the Secretariat of the Thai National Commission for UNESCO was established at the External Relations Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education. Since July 7, 2003, the External Relations Division has been known as the Bureau of International Cooperation. The Thai National Commission for UNESCO, as per the Cabinet resolution on June 5, 2001, is chaired by the Minister of Education, with the Permanent Secretary for Education as the Vice-Chairperson, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Education (Foreign Affairs) as the Secretary-General and the Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation as the Deputy Secretary- General.
The specialized committees of the Thai National Commission for UNESCO were also appointed by the Cabinet. Currently, there are 7 specialized committees as follows:
1. The Education Committee
2. The Science Committee
3. The Cultural Committee
4. The Social Sciences Committee
5. The Communications Committee
6. The National Committee on Memory of the World Programme
7. The National Committee on Man and the Biosphere Programme
Contact
Thai National Commission for UNESCO
Bureau of International Cooperation, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education,
Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, Dusit, Bangkok 10300 THAILAND
Tel: (662) 281 0565 Ext. 114-116 Fax: (662) 281 0953 Website: www.bic.moe.go.th
E-mail: thainatcom@sueksa.go.th
