Kasetsart University (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์; RTGS: Mahawitthayalai Kasetsat; commonly Kaset or KU) is a public research university in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the largest university in Thailand.[4] It was Thailand's first agricultural university and Thailand's third oldest university.[5][6] It was established on 2 February 1943 to promote subjects related to agricultural science. Since then, Kasetsart University has expanded its subject areas to cover life sciences, science, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. Kasetsart University's main campus is in Bangkhen, northern Bangkok, with several other campuses throughout Thailand.
History
In 1902, King Chulalongkorn attempted to promote the country's silk, silverware, and weaving industries. He hired Dr Kametaro Toyama, from the University of Tokyo, to train Siamese students in Japanese silk and weaving crafts.[7] In 1904, the School of Sericulture was founded at Tambon Thung Saladaeng, Bangkok by Prince Benbadhanabongse, the director of the department of sericulture of the Ministry of Agriculture.[8] The school was renamed the School of Agriculture in 1906.
In 1908, the School of the Ministry of Agriculture was founded at Windsor Palace as the Ministry of Agriculture merged three schools, the School of Surveying (founded in 1882), the School of Irrigation (founded in 1905), and the School of Agriculture. Thailand's first tertiary-level agriculture curriculum began to offer courses in 1909. However, the Siamese government merged the School of the Ministry of Agriculture with the Civil Service College in 1913, due to the objective of founding the school meets the royal initiative of establishment the Civil Service College of King Vajiravudh.
In 1935, the Primary School Agriculture Teacher Training School in each part of the country was closed and merged following the agricultural education policy in that time. Luang Ingkhasikasikan, Luang Suwan Vajokkasikij, and Phra Chuangkasetsinlapakan[10] together proposed to maintain the Mae Jo School (today's Mae Jo University) at Chiang Mai Province only and renamed it Secondary-level Agriculture Technical School before it was elevated to the College of Agriculture, under the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The Ministry of Agriculture established the Central Agriculture Station or "Kaset Klang", in Bang Khen District, Bangkok. It caused the College of Agriculture to move to Bang Khen District in 1938 and the government office at Chiang Mai Province became Kasetsart Preparatory School to prepare students to study at the College of Agriculture in Bang Khen.
In 1943, Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram promoted the College of Agriculture and established Kasetsart University as a department of the Ministry of Agriculture.[11] The university initially consisted of four faculties: agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and cooperatives (today's divided into Faculty of Economics and Faculty of Business Administration).[12]
In 1966, Mom Luang Xujati Kambhu, the Fifth President of Kasetsart University, judged the Bang Khen campus too confined and unable to support the education in agricultural sciences called for by the National Social and Economics Development Plan.[13] The Kamphaeng Saen campus was established on 12 November 1979 as a result.[14]
Kasetsart University's symbol is Phra Phirun, the god of rain mounted on a Nāga with encircled by lotus petals and then by the words "มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ พ.ศ. ๒๔๘๖" in the Thai version and "KASETSART UNIVERSITY 1943" in the English version.[18]
Nontri tree
The Nontri tree has been a symbol of Kasetsart University since 1963. King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit planted nine nontri trees in the front of Kasetsart University's main auditorium on 29 November 1963 which became historic day for Kasetsart University people.[19]
The nontri is a tree in the family Fabaceae. It is a long-lived evergreen with grey-brown bark with upright branches. The leaves are bipinnate compound and the flowers are yellow, produced in large compound racemes. Its fruit is a pod containing seeds.
The Kamphaeng Saen Campus is the first and largest branch of Kasetsart University established in 1979. The campus is situated in Kamphaeng Saen District, Nakhon Pathom Province with the area of 7,951.75 rai (1272 hectares).
Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen
Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen
Faculty of Education and Development Sciences
Faculty of Hospitality Industry
Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science
Faculty of Sports Science
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Kamphaeng Saen
Sriracha Campus
The Sriracha Campus was established in 1988, and occupies an area of 199 rai (32 hectares) in the Si Racha District of Chonburi Province.
Faculty of Management Sciences
Faculty of Engineering at Sriracha
Faculty of Science at Sriracha
Faculty of Economics at Sriracha
Faculty of International Maritime Studies
Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus
The Chalermphakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus was established in 1996 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Accession to the Throne. The campus occupies the area of 4,488 rai (718 hectares) in Mueang District of Sakon Nakhon Province.
The QS World University Rankings 2021 ranked Kasetsart University 149th in Asia and 801-1000th in the world. For the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021, the university was ranked 63rd in Agriculture & Forestry, 301-305th in Environmental Studies, 351-400th in Engineering - Chemical, 451-500th in Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Engineering - Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing, and 501-550th in Business & Management Studies.[34] Kasetsart University was ranked 29th in Agriculture and Forestry worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2017.[35] It was ranked in the 651-700 tranche in the QS World University Rankings 2015–2016.[36]
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2017–2018 ranked Kasetsart University in the 800-1000 tier in the world and 251-300th in the Emerging Economies.[37] Moreover, the university was ranked 601-800th in Computer Science and Life Sciences, 601th+ in Business & Economics and Social Sciences, 801-1000th in Engineering & Technology, 1001+ in Physical Sciences by THE World University Rankings 2021 by subject.[38]
Research
Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute
Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI) administers and coordinates research projects and research efforts.[39]
Institute of Food Research and Product Development
The Institute of Food Research and Product Development (IFRPD), is a science and food technology research institute, with the mandate to provide information and services to society as well as research in support of governmental policies to resolve the country's economic problems related to agricultural products.[40]
Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute
Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute (KAPI), is an agricultural and agro-industrial product research institute, established on 29 July 1991 to research and develop quality standards in non-food innovation.[41]
Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced Studies
Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced Studies (KUIAS) consists of four research centers: the Center for Advanced Studies for Agriculture and Food; the Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources; the Center for Advanced Studies in Nanotechnology for Chemical, Food and Agricultural Industries; and the Center for Advanced Studies In Industrial Technology. They are responsible for carrying out targeted research initiatives.[42]
Princess Sirindhorn International Center for Research Development and Technology Transfer
Princess Sirindhorn International Center for Research Development and Technology Transfer (PSIC) is an agency established through a collaboration between the Bureau of the Royal Household and Kasetsart University with tasks in the royal projects according to Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and the royal family in supporting and coordinating research, development and technology transfer at the national and international level. PSIC has visions to improve quality of life and well-being, promote knowledge to the disadvantaged, cooperate with the government, private sector and international organizations, create opportunities for people in remote areas.
Center for Excellence in Silk
Housed at Kamphaeng Saen campus, the center is a provider of silkworm eggs and know-how to Thai farmers.[43]
^"Introduced organization". Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
^"Introduced organization". Institute of Food Research and Product Development. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
^"About us". Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute. Retrieved 3 January 2017.