History and Development of the Graduate School, Chandrakasem Rajabhat University
Since its establishment, the Graduate School has evolved in line with university policies and the changing societal context. Its development can be described in the following phases:
1. Establishment and Initial Operations (1996 – 2004)
The Graduate School of Chandrakasem Rajabhat University was officially established on 17 November 1996, when the institution was still known as Chandrakasem Rajabhat Institute. A committee was appointed consisting of representatives from five faculties: the Faculty of Education, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Management Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Faculty of Agriculture and Industry. The committee was responsible for preparing graduate-level academic programs, under the leadership of Associate Professor Pannee Dejkamhaeng, who served as Project Chair.
The Graduate School commenced its graduate programs in 1998. In 2002, the Graduate School produced its first cohort of graduates who received their royal degree conferrals. The first group consisted of nine graduates from the Master of Education in Educational Administration and the Master of Social Science for Development programs.
The Graduate School commenced its graduate programs in 1998. In 2002, the Graduate School produced its first cohort of graduates who received their royal degree conferrals. The first group consisted of nine graduates from the Master of Education in Educational Administration and the Master of Social Science for Development programs.
2. Development and Expansion of Instructional Capacity (2004 – 2009)
During this period, the Graduate School enhanced its academic programs to strengthen academic standards. In 2004, Chandrakasem Rajabhat Institute was officially elevated to Chandrakasem Rajabhat University. Consequently, the Graduate School expanded its offerings by developing new programs at both the master’s and doctoral levels.
By this stage, the Graduate School offered four master’s degree programs covering 14 fields of study, and three doctoral programs covering six fields of study.
Additionally, the Graduate School expanded its instructional services to several university-affiliated learning centers, including: - Chandrakasem–Sankhaburi Education Center, Chai Nat Province - Chandrakasem–Satree Angthong School Education Center, Ang Thong Province - Chandrakasem–Rattanathibet School Education Center, Nonthaburi Province - Chandrakasem–Sahapanich Education Center, Bangkok
By this stage, the Graduate School offered four master’s degree programs covering 14 fields of study, and three doctoral programs covering six fields of study.
Additionally, the Graduate School expanded its instructional services to several university-affiliated learning centers, including: - Chandrakasem–Sankhaburi Education Center, Chai Nat Province - Chandrakasem–Satree Angthong School Education Center, Ang Thong Province - Chandrakasem–Rattanathibet School Education Center, Nonthaburi Province - Chandrakasem–Sahapanich Education Center, Bangkok
3. Curriculum Reform under the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and Structural Adjustment
3.1 Curriculum Reform under the National Qualifications Framework (2010 – 2015)
In 2009, the Ministry of Education issued the National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (NQF) to guide curriculum development and ensure comparable standards of graduates across academic disciplines nationwide.
Beginning in 2010, the Graduate School initiated major curriculum adjustments to comply with the NQF. As a result, several programs were not updated accordingly and therefore ceased admitting new students for more than two consecutive years. These programs also suspended teaching activities, although 11 programs still had remaining students who had not completed their studies.
For programs that were successfully revised and continued to operate, administrative responsibility was transferred to three faculties as follows: - Graduate Diploma in Teaching Profession → Faculty of Education - Master of Public Administration and Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies for Development → Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences - Master of Business Administration → Faculty of Management Science
Beginning in 2010, the Graduate School initiated major curriculum adjustments to comply with the NQF. As a result, several programs were not updated accordingly and therefore ceased admitting new students for more than two consecutive years. These programs also suspended teaching activities, although 11 programs still had remaining students who had not completed their studies.
For programs that were successfully revised and continued to operate, administrative responsibility was transferred to three faculties as follows: - Graduate Diploma in Teaching Profession → Faculty of Education - Master of Public Administration and Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies for Development → Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences - Master of Business Administration → Faculty of Management Science
3.2 Adjustment of Roles and Organizational Structure (2016 – 2023)
In 2016, the Graduate School proposed to the University Council a restructuring plan to shift its function from a degree-granting academic unit to a support unit. Responsibility for graduate program management and degree production was transferred to respective faculties.
The restructuring proposal was approved by the University Council on 5 April 2017. Nevertheless, the Graduate School continued overseeing several programs that had not updated their curricula and had suspended new student admissions for more than two years. These programs still had remaining students across nine fields of study.
The restructuring proposal was approved by the University Council on 5 April 2017. Nevertheless, the Graduate School continued overseeing several programs that had not updated their curricula and had suspended new student admissions for more than two years. These programs still had remaining students across nine fields of study.
4. Structural Reorganization within Chandrakasem Rajabhat University
On 17 March 2023, the University Council of Chandrakasem Rajabhat University issued an announcement regarding the internal restructuring of the university. Under this announcement, the Graduate School was reorganized as the Graduate Studies Division under the Office of Academic Promotion and Registration.