UBON RATCHATHANI RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY (UBRU)

BACKGROUND

UBRU is a state-run university under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Commission on Higher Education, Ministry of Education.  The University was established at its present location in 1942 as a pre-university school of the Northeast, affiliated with Chulalongkorn University and then converted to a Teacher Training School in 1947, offering a primary certificate and a provincial certificate in teaching.  In 1955, a certificate of education was offered.  Students were admitted from various provinces, namely, Ubon Ratchathani, Sri Sa ket, Surin, Sakon Nakhon, and Nakhon Phanom.  In 1968, it was elevated to be Ubon Teachers’ College where a Higher Certificate of Education, an Associate Degree in Education, was offered.  It was not until 1973 that a degree program in education majoring in biology was first offered.  Other majors were then offered to match the preparation of relevant departments.

In 1984, the Ministry of Education stipulated that the teachers’ colleges function as community colleges, offering vocational programs in order to serve the community demand.  Due to the change in the functions, the name Rajabhat Institute was graciously granted by the King to all teachers’ colleges in 1992.  The King’s crest was also granted to Rajabhat Institutes for their symbols.  It can be seen that the University has had a long history, starting from specifically providing teacher education and extensively expanding into other areas of study commensurate to the need of the society and the country.

Accordingly a strategic plan has been set to provide educational opportunity with focus on the development of locality, the quality of graduates, community empowerment, the standard of higher education to build competitive potential, and other aspects including searching for cooperation and expanding educational network with universities both inside and outside the country, especially in the GMS countries and in other regions with mutual interest and benefit. Based on the Rajabhat University Act 2004, UBRU is a comprehensive university effective 15 June, 2004.  It is operating its degree programs through nine faculties, two colleges, one graduate school and several other support units.

Since the University has been expeditious in many aspects of development to serve future progress, it therefore established a new educational service campus, 30 km from the main campus of Mueng District.  The newly established campus is situated in Yang Noi Village, Kor Ei Sub-district in Khueng Nai District of Ubon Ratchathani Province, on a 1,027 rais plot of land.  By extending service this way, the University has carried out many important projects as follows:

Organizing an agricultural form project on the occasion of celebrating the 50^th birth anniversary of HRH.  Prince Vajiralongkorn, as demonstrated in various models of agricultural farms such as rubber-tree plantation, orchards, poultry and hog farms, and integrated dairy farms (raising dairy cows and building a milk-processing factory).  Establishing a model learning center based on self-sufficient economy philosophy.  Conserving Mekhong-aquatic-plant species.  Founding a training center and an academic service building for the local community.

VISION

To be a leading university aimed at human resource development in the local areas and the Greater Mekhong Sub-region (GMS), conducting research, providing technical services to the society, and being a key mechanism to enforce national strategies for sustainable development.

MISSION

• To provide quality education for new graduates and human resource development in accordance with the need of the society and the country.
• To study and conduct research to create a new prospect of knowledge, integrating global and local wisdom for sustainable local development.
• To integrate the teaching and learning activities, and the research to support community affairs in order to maintain the University’s position as a center for local and regional development.
• To conserve, renovate and disseminate the local and cultural heritage to establish pride in being locality and being Thai.
• To prepare and develop educational personnel and elevate the teaching profession.