Rajabhat University system

The Rajabhat Universities compose one of the university systems in Thailand.

They were formerly called Rajabhat Institutes, and originally formed the teachers college system. Most provinces have one and they are generally easier to gain admission to than the so-called "public universities" (formerly the government universities). Most rajabhat universities now offer graduate degrees, some even to the doctoral level.

The word "Rajabhat" is derived from the same origin as the Hindi, "Rajput" (from Sanskrit raja-putra, “son of a king”). In this sense, a "Rajabhat University" could be transliterated as something akin to "King's College", or "Royal Institute", etc.; or perhaps, more literally as "Prince's University" (given that "Rajabhat" could be considered to mean "prince"). The most effective transliteration for simplicity, is arguably "Royal University", given that some "Rajabhat Universities" given the range of names connected to them. These institutions are equivalent to polytechnics that have become universities in the UK, and face a similar challenge of matching the prestige of older institutions, by conferring the word "Rajabhat", this may shield them from criticism and help raise their status.

References:

• [1]
• [2]

List of Rajabhat Universities

• Chiang Rai Rajabhat University
• Chiang Mai Rajabhat University
• Lampang Rajabhat University
• Uttaradit Rajabhat University
• Kamphaeng Phet Rajabhat University
• Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University
• Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University
• Phetchabun Rajabhat University
• Maha Sarakham Rajabhat University
• Loei Rajabhat University
• Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University
• Udon Thani Rajabhat University
• Kalasin Rajabhat University
• Nakhon Phanom Rajabhat University (Now combined to Nakhonphanom University)
• Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University
• Buriram Rajabhat University
• Surin Rajabhat University
• Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University
• Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University
• Roiet Rajabhat University
• Sisaket Rajabhat University
• Rajanagarindra Rajabhat University
• Thepsatri Rajabhat University
• Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University
• Princess Valaya-Alongkorn Rajabhat University
• Rambhaibarni Rajabhat University
• Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University
• Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University
• Phetchaburi Rajabhat University
• Muban Chom Bung Rajabhat University
• Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University
• Phuket Rajabhat University
• Yala Rajabhat University
• Songkhla Rajabhat University
• Surat Thani Rajabhat University
• Chandrakasem Rajabhat University
• Dhonburi Rajabhat University
• Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University
• Phranakhon Rajabhat University
• Suan Dusit Rajabhat University
• Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University