Our Mahidol University

Mahidol University has its origins in the establishment of Siriraj Hospital in 1888 by His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), and the hospital’s medical school is the oldest institution of higher learning in Thailand, granting its first medical degree in 1893. Later becoming the University of Medical Sciences in 1943, Mahidol University was renamed with great honor in 1969 by H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, after his Royal Father, H.R.H Prince Mahidol of Songkla, who is widely known as the ‘Father of Modern Medicine and Public Health in Thailand’.

Mahidol University has since developed into one of the most prestigious universities in Thailand, internationally known and recognized for the high caliber of research and teaching by its faculty, and its outstanding achievements in teaching, research, international academic collaboration and professional services. This diversified institution now offers top quality programs in numerous social and cultural disciplines, including the most doctoral programs of any institution in Thailand, yet has maintained its traditional excellence in medicine and the sciences.
 

The overall philosophy of Mahidol University is best captured by the university motto:

In the Pali language, this translates as the Golden Rule in English: 'Do unto others as you would have others do unto you'. This underlying theme pervades every aspect of Mahidol University as it endeavors to imbue graduates with the conviction that, aside from achieving academic excellence, they have a solemn duty to improve the quality of life for all humanity.

The university's namesake, H.R.H. Prince Mahidol, has eloquently stated Mahidol University's universal view of higher education: 'True success is not in the learning, but in its application to the benefit of mankind'. With the Royal Philosophy as a guiding light, Mahidol University continues to take progressive action to internationalize and diversify itself, so that its graduates will be globally informed as well as socially aware. In this globalized and interconnected world, Mahidol University recognizes that achieving academic and moral excellence requires maintaining strong relationships with the world community, and offering lifelong and equitable quality education for all.
 

To appreciate the meaning of Mahidol University’s new determination statement, “Wisdom of the Land,” it is first necessary to take into consideration two key words involved: mahidol, the university’s name, and paññā, or the Buddhist conception of wisdom.

The meaning of mahidol
The word mahidol is derived from the Pali, and also Sanskrit, mahī “land” + tala “ground, level.” Mahītala can thus be translated as “the ground of the earth.” Other words in Thai with the same morphological structure and meaning are phasuthadol, phuwadol and methanidol (derived respectively from vasudhā + tala, bhuva + tala and medanī + tala. This whole set of words, which can be found in the 1999 edition of the Royal Institute’s Thai Dictionary, can all be translated as “the ground of the earth; the surface of the earth.”
 

Kan phai Mahidol (Afgekia mahidoliae B. L. Burtt & Chermsir.), the symbolic plants of Mahidol University, was named to commemorate the late Princess Mother, Somdej Phra Sri Nakarindra Boromarajajonnani (then Princess Srisangwan Mahidol). It is a rare tropical plant found in limestone mountains in the western side of Thailand. One among only three known species in the genus, A. mahidoliae is a climber in the pea family (Fabaceae). The plant possesses purplish and whitish pea-like florets in inflorescences which are usually in blooms during August to November

Kan phai Mahidol
Afgekia mahidoliae B. L. Burtt & Chermsir.
 

 16 Faculties, 6 Colleges, 8 research Institutes and 7 Centers: offering courses in a wide range of disciplines in medicine; public health; nursing, pharmacy; dentistry ; engineering; natural sciences; computer science; health sciences; social sciences; applied sciences; applied arts; humanities and arts. 

  Over 70 sub-Faculty Centers and Laboratories for focussed research into specialized fields, such as the Excellence Centers, which provide new ground by using interdisciplinary and inter-institutional approach to research and postgraduate training, to meet the present and future needs of government and industry. The Mahidol University Applied and Technological Service Center provides knowledge-based services to both public and private sectors and also promotes and supports research. 
      
  3 Faculties of Medicine, 3 Teaching Hospitals and 1 Medical Center which produce around 1,000 medical doctors annually and serve as centers for comprehensive specialist medical training and patient care, with a total of around 4,000 beds serving nearly 4 million outpatients and 140,000 in-patients per year. 
  
  A dental service unit at the Faculty of Dentistry and the Golden Jubilee Medical Center at Salaya serving about 340,000 patients a year. 
  
  Mahidol University Library and Information Center (MULIC): an automated library system with cyber-linked branches in different campuses; over 1,100,000 books, theses, research reports, and bound journals; 1,200 printed journals, 15,000 electronic journals and 16,000 electronic books; 13,000 audiovisual materials; hundreds of computer terminals and multimedia viewing equipment; a full range of specialized services including online reference services, multi-database searching and document delivery services. 
  
   Mahidol University Computing Network (MUC-Net): accommodating at least 500 local area networks, interconnecting more than 350 servers and 10,000 terminals/PCs in all departments throughout the university; many advanced networked computer systems inter-networked harmoniously; performing multicast and broadcast of data transmission be used within video conferences, distance learning, E-Learning, and IP-TV applications; offering sophisticated solution for Management Information System (MIS). 
  
   A fully-realized 'ICT Campus': Mahidol University's 'Digital Library'; the Mahidol University Library and Information Center Network (MULINET), the Mahidol University Intranet; MUC-Net; Intra-phone, IP-phone, wireless campus network; multi-media and distance learning facilities; video-conferencing facilities; Management Information System (MIS); Center for Administrative Information System (MU-ADMIN-IS).  
  
   Numerous dormitory rooms and condominium apartments for student accommodation;
 
With these extensive facilities, Mahidol University is fully prepared to meet the educational, training and research needs for Thai and international students in the new millennium.
 

Located in the world-renowned, cosmopolitan capital city of Bangkok, Mahidol University is able to draw on an incredibly rich educational, historical, cultural and social environment to augment its comprehensive academic resources and diverse research activities. Mahidol University also has several campuses: one suburban campus and two older inner-city campuses in the Bangkok metropolitan area, along with a downtown high-rise office site for the College of Management, and provincial campuses in Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Sawan and Amnaj Charoen provinces.
 
        Bangkok Noi Campus
This compact 28-acre (12-hectare) campus situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River is the original location of the Siriraj Hospital medical school where Mahidol University was founded. Specializing in medicine, this campus houses Faculties of Medicine, Medical Technology, Nursing and Physical Therapy and Applied Movement Sciences. Various personal and recreational facilities including dormitories, cafeterias and sporting facilities complement the academic setting. 

        Phayathai Campus    
This urban campus of 78 acres (32 hectares) spreads over three linked compounds in bustling central Bangkok and houses Ramathibodi Hospital and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, with Mahidol University’s traditional focus on medicine and the sciences actively pursued at the Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health, Tropical Medicine, and Science. It also houses the Institute for Innovation and Development of Learning Process, the National Doping Control Center and the Mahidol University Computing Center, along with a full-range of supporting facilities and student accommodation. 

         Salaya Campus    
A suburban campus, Salaya Campus is situated on 520 acres (210 hectares) of natural beauty, landscaped gardens, ponds and streams, and lush tropical scenery. The relaxed semi-rural setting, within easy reach of central Bangkok, makes it an ideal setting for studying or working in tranquility, without losing out on the myriad of opportunities available in the city. It houses the majority of academic and research departments at Mahidol University, and a full range of supporting facilities including the Central Library and many branch libraries, computer labs, the Office of the President, an indoor stadium and 5 swimming pools, the Student Union, many shops and cafeterias, and student dormitories and condominiums. 

      Building     
    The  Building is an office tower on Vibhavadee Rangsit Highway, which was purchased to house the College of Management. 

                                       
       Provincial Campuses in Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Sawan and Amnaj Charoen
Kanchanaburi Campus in western Thailand was opened in mid-2002 with the main objective of expanding higher education in the upcountry region, in order to increase local incomes, create occupational opportunities and improve the quality of life of rural people. Thus far an Administration Building, 2 Lecture and Laboratory Buildings, 13 dormitories and associated infrastructure have been constructed on the large 2,370-acre campus, in addition to 2 field stations for research in population studies and tropical medicine. The Faculty of Veterinary Science has opened the first hospital for livestock and wildlife of the country on this campus. Four plant nurseries in the Faculty of Science have been built for students in the Agriculture Science program. Over the next decade, Mahidol University plans to expand the 6 bachelor degree programs offered at present to around 20, and complete additional building projects, including 6 additional dormitories to accommodate an expected student body of 2,400.

Mahidol University continues to develop two additional provincial campuses of 672-acres in Nakorn Sawan province in the north of the country, and 169-acres in Amnaj Chareon province in the northeast. Nakhon Sawan Campus, with an Administration Building and a lecture and Laboratory Building, is currently accepting students in Management. It is expected that a Science program will be offered in the future. Amnaj Charoen Campus is undergoing construction, with a multipurpose building expected to be completed in 2009.
 

 On 16 October 2007, the Thailand National legislative Assembly approved Mahidol University as an autonomous institution. This transformation will enhance the university’s efficiency, flexibility, and ability to innovate, and standardize its practices with those of other world-class universities.

Always looking toward the future, Mahidol University at Salaya has constructed more facilities and buildings to better accommodate an increasing number of students. The Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies has built a new 6-story Laboratory of Environmental Science and Technology Building to support research, academic activities and services of the Faculty. Mahidol University International College has just finished constructing a new 8-story building adjoining the west side of the old building. This building will provide additional classrooms, studios, offices and also extensions to the College’s Atrium Canteen, Salaya Pavilion Hotel and Herb Garden Restaurant.

A major expansion of Siriraj Hospital has also begun: the çSiriraj toward Medical Excellence in Southeast Asiaé project. Twelve acres of land adjacent to Bangkok Noi Campus have been allocated by the Royal Thai Government to house several innovative new facilities, highlighted by Centers of Excellence in Biomedical Research and Medical Care, which promises to solidify Siriraj Hospital’s reputation as a premier health care institution in the region.

Recognizing the challenges facing humanity in the new millennium and the fundamental responsibility of higher education institutions to assist in meeting those challenges, Mahidol University follows a policy of constant expansion in the breadth and depth of its facilities and academic endeavors. By remaining
globally aware and staying abreast of new academic discoveries and technologies worldwide, Mahidol University continues not only to meet the needs of Thailand for education, training and research, but through internationalization, the needs of the global community as well.