Silpakorn University
Silpakorn University is a national university in Thailand. The university was founded in Bangkok in 1943 by Tuscan–born art professor Corrado Feroci, who took the Thai name Silpa Bhirasri when he became a Thai citizen. It began as a fine arts university and now includes many other faculties as well. In 2016, it has 25,210 students.
History
Silpakorn University was originally established as the School of Fine Arts under Thailand's Fine Arts Department in 1933. The school offered the only painting and sculpture programs and waived tuition fees for government officials and students. Its creation owes much to the almost lifetime devotion of Professor Silpa Bhirasri, an Italian sculptor and two more faculties were created, the Faculty of Archaeology and the Faculty of Decorative Arts.In 1966, Silpakorn University diversified the four faculties into sub–specializations to broaden its offerings, but the university's Wang Tha Phra campus proved inadequate. A new campus, Sanam Chandra Palace, was established in Nakhon Pathom Province in the former residential compound of King Rama VI. The first two faculties based on this campus were the Faculty of Arts in 1968 and the Faculty of Education in 1970. Later, three more faculties were created: the Faculty of Science in 1972, the Faculty of Pharmacy in 1986, and the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology in 1992. In 1999, the Faculty of Music was created.
In 1997, Silpakorn extended its reach by establishing a new campus in Phetchaburi Province. The new campus was named "Phetchaburi Information Technology Campus". In 2001 and 2002, the Faculty of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Technology and the Faculty of Management Science were established on the Phetchaburi Campus. In 2003, the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology was established, as well as Silpakorn University International College. Its role is to provide an international curriculum in additional fields of study.
Ganesha, one of the Hindu deities symbolizing arts and crafts, is Silpakorn University's emblem. The "university tree" is the chan tree.
Campuses
Tha Phra Palace
Tha Phra Palace was Silpakorn's first campus. It occupies a small part of the inner city of Bangkok known as Rattanakosin Island. Opposite the Grand Palace and covering an area of 8 rai, the campus was once the palace of Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong. On its west side is the Chao Phraya River. The office of the university president is in Taling Chan District, Bangkok.Sanam Chandra Palace Campus
Sanam Chandra Palace Campus is on the grounds of Sanam Chandra Palace in Nakhon Pathom which was once the royal pavilion of King Vajiravudh of Chakri dynasty. It occupies 440 rai.Phetchaburi Information Technology Campus
The 820 rai Phetchaburi Information Technology Campus is in Phetchaburi Province.Faculties
- Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts
- Faculty of Architecture
- Faculty of Archaeology
- Faculty of Decorative Arts
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology
- Faculty of Music
- Faculty of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Technology
- Faculty of Management Science
- Faculty of Information and Communication Technology
- Silpakorn University International College
- Graduate School
Notable alumni
- Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn – Princess of Thailand
- Princess Chulabhorn – Princess of Thailand
- Princess Siribhachudabhorn – Princess of Thailand
- Angkarn Kalayanapong – National Artist of Thailand, poet
- Chalermchai Kositpipat – National Artist of Thailand, Founder of the White Temple
- Thawan Duchanee – National Artist of Thailand
- Mathar Bunnag – Thai architect
- Chirapat Prapandvidya – Thai archaeologist, Sanskrit scholar and Indologist
- Santi Leksukhum – Thai art historian and archaeologist
- Sujit Wongthes – Thai journalist, historian, and author
- Chavalit Soemprungsuk – National Artist of Thailand, painter
- Chanyawee Sompreeda – Thai novelist with the pen name "Rompaeng", whose novel is the basis for the TV series Love Destiny
- Jumpol Adulkittiporn – Thai actor, model and host
- Jennie Panhan – Thai actress and host
- Jennis Oprasert – former member of the Thai idol group, BNK48
- Wichayanee Pearklin – Thai singer, actress, and television host
- Wirot Nutaphand – Thai herpetology and scientific illustrator
- Wannarot Sonthichai – Thai film and television actress
- Jennis Oprasert – Thai pop singer
- Bhasidi Petchsutee – Thai actress and model
- Thasorn Klinnium – Thai actress, singer and model