Ramkhamhaeng University

Ramkhamhaeng State Open University in Thailand, named after the royal ruler Ramkhamhaeng the Great of Sukhothai, is the oldest university in the country. He began his academic career in 1971 - at that time there were more people wishing to get a higher education than universities. The Parliament of Thailand at the legislative level decided to create Ramkhamhaeng University, which immediately took the first lines of the rating in terms of the quality of services provided.

The higher educational institution is located within Bangkok, within its walls students from more than 50 countries of the world of different religions and nationalities receive up-to-date academic knowledge. The university has more than 400 students, 50 qualified teachers.

The prestigious university offers programs in such areas as:

• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Legal & Political Science
• Business Administration
• Economics, pedagogy
• Fine and Applied Arts
• Mass Communications
• Human Resource Development
• Business & Service
• International Studies
• Science and technology
• Natural sciences, engineering
• Medical Sciences, Optometry
• Public health.

As of 2019, the Thai government has allocated 1179 million baht to the university – this is significantly more compared to previous years.

The Ramkhamhaeng University Institute (IIS-RU) does not offer on-campus accommodation. Coordinators are ready to help students recommend apartments or hotels within walking distance from the university and with the possibility of obtaining a good discount. Basically, foreign students live in the following houses:

• Home Residence
• The Inspire Place ABAC Rama 9
• The Family Room Apartment
• The Bangkok Inter Place Hotel
• CASA Boutique Mansion.

The university often arranges joint trips for students – for example, visiting a newspaper publishing house and a well-known company in Thailand. The institute offers cultural excursions for students who want to experience the Thai way of life. Student activities can help deepen knowledge and add value to Thai faith and culture, raise awareness of respect for the diversity of other cultures.

IIS-RU also advocates for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The university provides an opportunity for IIS-RU students to participate and prepare for the AEC era. The College organizes exhibitions, a Day of Culture and an academic seminar about the countries of Southeast Asia. The Institute of International Studies supports public volunteer services: teaching English to Buddhist beginners, building a clay house for a dhamma retreat.

• Ramkhamhaeng is in the top 20 best universities in Thailand
• Included in the top 5% of universities in the world (1286 position of the overall ranking)
• It is on the 14th place in the ranking of the best universities in the whole of Thailand
• More than 50% of students are foreign students from all over the world, including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Europe
• For pupils there is an interesting and rich student exchange program, allowing them to go to Japan, China, Australia, Europe or even the USA.
• There is distance learning
• The institution has accreditation from the Ministry of Education, Thailand, which is an indicator of proper quality
• He is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL).

The campus is conveniently located in Bangkok itself. In total, the university occupies 125 acres in the east of Bangkok, both campuses are located there. At the university there are:

• Central Library

Provides students with a wide selection of books, articles, scientific papers, journals, periodicals and educational materials for self-study. Students can get into the library by presenting a student certificate. Students must comply with the dress code when visiting the library - long trousers and suitable closed shoes. Those wearing a T-shirt, shorts, sandals or slippers will not be allowed into the library.

• Book Center

The book center is located on the second floor of the printing house of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It offers a wide selection of books containing more than 100,000 titles in Thai and foreign languages, teaching materials, consumables and stationery.

• Sports Office and Sports Complex

It is located on the 2nd floor of the Sports Office of Ramkhamhaeng University and offers weightlifting, aerobics, Thai boxing, sauna, streaming, treadmill, exercise bike and stretching exercises. Students can use the student certificate to get a discount on the membership fee as a student rate – and pay only 500 baht per month.

• Medical services

The Department of Medical Treatment and Health Care provides medical care to students and visitors of RU - the initial assessment, diagnosis, presentation and treatment of common diseases.

• Ramkhamhaeng University Optometry Clinic:

It is part of the Optometry Faculty, where students are trained in all clinical areas, including primary care, diagnostics, binocular disorders, contact lenses, low vision, eye diseases, geriatrics, and selected special cases.

• Soufannik Massage House

It is located under the stadium near the Srihum Building and offers various types of Thai traditional massage.

The academic year is divided into several semesters:

• Autumn semester, first: July – November
• Spring semester, second: December – April
• Summer session, third.

Personal living expenses (food, transportation, laundry, etc.) cost 12,000 baht (about $ 375) per month, and the cost of living is about $ 180-500 per month.

Enrollment occurs based on the results of the examinations and after the evaluation of the received package of documents.

For undergraduate students:

• Completed Application Form
• Copy of passport
• Motivation letter
• Current resume
• Copy of grades from the school in recent years
• Two letters of recommendation from professors and lecturers
• A letter of appointment from a home university, institute, or school.

For masters and doctoral students:

• Completed Application Form
• Copy of passport
• Motivation letter
• Current resume
• Copy of current results from bachelor's degree and diploma
• Portfolio
• Two letters of recommendation from professors and lecturers
• Letter of appointment from the home university or institute.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision