Description
Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University (SNRU) (มหาวิทยาลัยราชภัฏสกลนคร) is located 6 kilometers from downtown Sakon Nakhon on a campus of 245 acres, filled with gorgeous trees and landscaping.
The "Rajabhat" university system in Thailand is similar to the State University system in the United States, in that they both started out as education institutions dedicated to training teachers, and eventually transitioned into full universities.
SNRU has six faculties and a Vietnam Studies Center. These faculties include Education, Management Science, Agriculture Technology, Industrial Technology, Science & Technology, and Humanities & Social Sciences (which includes two English programs: English for Business Communication and B.A. English).
The university draws students not only from Sakon Nakhon, but surrounding provinces, such as Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, and Udon Thani.
In 2007, Maha Vajiralongkorn Auditorium (หอประชุมมหาวชิราลงกรณ) was completed. A gorgeous example of contemporary Thai architecture, it is the venue for the graduation ceremony for graduates from Rajabhat universities of the Northeast Region. Learn more about the ceremony and view photos from a recent graduation celebration in our post: Rajabhat Graduation Ceremony.
The landmark auditorium is named after the current King of Thailand, His Majesty Maha Vajiralongkorn, who has a Royal Residence in Sakon Nakhon. It also is a venue for national and international exhibitions, educational seminars, and the promotion of Thai arts and culture.
History of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University
Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University was established in 1964 as the "Sakon Nakhon Teacher Training School" or "Rong Rian Feuk-Hat Khru Sakon Nakhon" (โรงเรียน ฝึกหัด ครู สกลนคร), with an initial group of 70 freshman students,
In the 1965 academic year, the school accepted an additional 152 students, and increased the faculty to 18 members. The following year, the school began offering higher-level teacher education courses for the first time, admitting 146 students and boosting the faculty to 24 members.
Over the years, the Sakon Nakhon Teacher Training School steadily progressed, adding students, faculty, and infrastructure. In 1970, the Ministry of Education in Thailand elevated the school's status to "Sakon Nakhon Teachers College", and began offering both both regular and evening classes. But it wasn't until 1975 that the college began offering its first bachelor's degree programs (B.Ed.).
By 1985, the college expanded its curriculum to include more diverse fields, such as liberal arts and sciences. This expansion effort (conducted by all teacher's colleges in Thailand) proved so successful that King Bhumibol the Great and the Thai government awarded all teacher colleges with the new name "Rajabhat Institute" in 1995.
Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat Institute would ultimately become Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University in 2004, when His Majesty and the Thai government elevated the status of these important education institutions once more. The first acting president of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University was Assistant Professor Dr. Wattana Suwantrai (ผศ.ดร.วัฒนา สุวรรณไตรย์).
How much does it cost to attend Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University? The current price to attend SNRU is 7,500 baht per semester, which converts to about $200 USD.
MORE ARTICLES ABOUT SNRU
Manita Farmer (Miss Thailand) Boosts English in Sakon Nakhon
Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University Graduation Ceremony
SNRU Map (English) – Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University
Thailand University English Programs
Young Thai Artists Exhibition: Area63 SNRU 2024
To stay up to date on the special events occurring at Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University during the 2024/25 academic year, follow our "Thailand Off the Beaten Path" blog.
