Naresuan University

Naresuan University
มหาวิทยาลัยนเรศวร
Type	Public
Established	July 29, 1990
President	Prof. Sujin Jinahyon, Ph.D.
Undergraduates	21,036
Postgraduates	5,020
Location	Phitsanulok, Thailand; 16°44′43.42″N 100°11′28.06″E / 16.7453944°N 100.1911278°E
Colours	Grey-Orange
Affiliations	ASAIHL
Website	www.nu.ac.th/english

Naresuan University (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยนเรศวร) is a government sponsored university in Phitsanulok, northern Thailand. It was established as a separate university on July 29, 1990, which was the 400th anniversary of the start of the reign of Phitsanulok-born King Naresuan the Great. A courtyard with a statue of King Naresuan is located on the grounds and the students regularly pay their respects before it. The university has about 20,000 full time students.

History

On January 18, 1964, the Royal Thai Ministry of Education resolved to create a branch of the College of Education (in Bangkok) for teacher training in each region of the country. On January 25, 1967, the Phitsanulok campus was established as the fourth branch of the College of Education and was meant to serve mainly the northern provinces.

In 1974 the College of Education was upgraded to university status and was named Srinakharinwirot University. Originally, only the third and fourth years of university study were offered at Phitsanulok, and students were admitted by competitive examination after completing the curriculum at one of the nation's associate degree level teacher training colleges. In 1976, the first and second years were added. Other majors besides education were gradually included, and in 1990 the Phitsanulok campus became independent of Srinakarinwirot University. It was designated as Naresuan University during the celebrations of the 400th anniversary of King Naresuan the Great's ascending to the throne.

King Naresuan the Great statue at Naresuan University

Naresuan University had second campus in Phayao, which opened in 1999 and upgraded to university level and named "University of Phayao" in 2010, and also offers extension courses across the country by 9 education centers, including Bangkok.

Ranking

In September 2006, Naresuan University was ranked as "Very Good" in a study conducted on Thai universities by the Commission on Higher Education.

Faculties

The university has 16 faculties, organized into three thematic clusters

And there are also schools, colleges and institutes organized by Naresuan University