Srinakharinwirot University is a public university in Bangkok, Thailand. Founded in 1949, the university was the first upper-education institution to concentrate solely on teacher training. The name "Srinakharinwirot" was given by the King Bhumibol Adulyadej to honour his Mother Princess Srinagarindra. The name, additionally, comes from Sanskrit word Sri meaning "glory", Nagara' meaning "city" and Virōdha' meaning flourishing; thus the meaning of "The Glorious of the City". Srinakharinwirot University has two campuses; Prasarnmit Campus in Bangkok's Watthana District and Ongkharak Campus in Nakhon Nayok Province's Ongkharak District. Other minor campuses include Bhodivijjalaya College’s campuses in Sa Kaew Province and Chiang Mai Province’s Mae Chaem District. The university originally had 8 regional campuses; Prasanmitr, Pathumwan, Bang Saen, Phitsanulok, Maha Sarakham, Songkhla, Bang Khen and Phala Suksa. The Prasanmitr campus remains the headquarter of the university, whilst Pathumwan Campus now exists as its teaching school, Patumwan Demonstration School. Some were later established as new universities; Burapha University, Naresuan University, Mahasarakham University and Thaksin University. The Bang Khen Campus was closed, moving to the main Prasarnmitr Campus, its former land is now occupied by the Phranakhon Rajabhat University. Lastly, the Phala Suksa Campus was closed and moved to Ongkharak Campus, being renowned as Faculty of Physical Education. The university's motto "Education is Growth" resembles the initial aim of teacher training and is illustrated through the logo resembling the exponential graph, meaning the exponential growth.
History
The university had its beginnings when the Higher Teacher Training School at Prasarnmit was founded in 1949. Prasarnmit was the first of its kind in the country's history. In 1953, it became the College of Education, having authority to grant a bachelor's degree in Education in the subject majors taught in Thai primary and secondary schools. Subsequently, programs at both the bachelors and masters levels were developed. In 1964, branch campuses were established for the regions of the country. The following were eventually created:
Phitsanulok campus, for the north, now Naresuan University
Maha Sarakham campus, for the northeast, now Mahasarakham University
Bangsaen campus, for the southeast, now Burapha University
Songkhla campus, for the south, now Thaksin University
Additional central campuses were also established:
Pathumwan campus, now merged with Prasarnmit campus
Physical Education campus, now merged with Faculty of Physical Education, Ongkharak campus
Bang Khen campus, now merged with Prasarnmit campus
In 1974, the College of Education became a comprehensive university by a royal decree of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who granted the university the name of Srinakharinwirot, which means 'the glory of the city'. The university offered undergraduate degrees in education, humanities, social science, science, physical education, and graduate degrees in education. In the higher education development plan Phase Five, a faculty of medicine was added; in Phase Seven, engineering, fine arts, and dentistry; and in Phase Eight, pharmacy, health science, and nursing. SWU Prasanmit has developed to be a metropolitan university focusing on graduate studies. SWU Ongkaruk has focused on the development of health science, technology, environment and community services. Over the years, the regional campuses grew in size and became separate universities. However, they preserve an unofficial tie with Srinakarinwirot University and regard the Bangkok university as their "mother campus".
