Cinical Professor Niwes Nantachit, M.D., FRCP(T)
President of Chiang Mai University
The Commemoration of Chiang Mai University’s 55th Anniversary
Friday, 31st January, 2020 At Chiang Mai University Convention Center
Voice Governor of Chiang Mai, Distinguished Presidents, Administrative staff of Foreign Universities, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen… Good morning
It is my immense pleasure, privilege and honour to welcome you here today to attend the commemoration of the 55th year of the establishment of our very own Chiang Mai University.
Over the 55 years of our existence we have faced many challenges, but through perseverance, hard work and vision we stand today at the doorstep of becoming a world class university, a university of innovation and sustainable development. A university which has, I am proud to say, over the years produced more than 206,283 graduates to serve, with honour, the community, our society and most importantly our nation.
Ladies and gentlemen, it would be impossible to describe the accomplishments of the last 55 years in such a short time. I would therefore like to show you on the screen the different stages we have gone through, that have brought us to where we stand today.
In1958,Chiang Mai University became the first regional university in Thailand under the government’s Regional Education Development Program.
Since 1950, the Lanna people had been asking for a regional university and finally, their demands were met with the establishment of Chiang Mai University
- On 29 March 1960, it was approved that Chiang Mai University would open its first academic year in 1964.
- On 15 January 1964, His Majesty, the King himself designed the Chiang Mai University logo and announced it effective in the Government Gazette, Book 81, Chapter 7, dated 21 January 1964.
The First Decade (1964 -1973) : Foundation and Development of Education
- June 18, 1964 marks the first academic school day for Chiang Mai University
-24 January 1965, His Majesty the King Rama IX and the Queen graced the opening ceremony of Chiang Mai University.
With both the government and the people in the northern region united in the desire to establish Chiang Mai University as a high academic and professional center, in the initial stages, it aimed at establishing a stable base to support the main mission of the university. The focus was on creating an environment suitable for education. Three faculties were initially established: The Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Science. Other Faculties were later established as follows:
- 1964, the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science,
- 1965, the Faculty of Medicine was transferred from the Chiang Mai Medical School.
- 1967, the Faculty of Agriculture
- 1968, the Faculty of Education and Chiang Mai University Demonstration School
- 1970, the Faculty of Engineering
- 1972, the Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Nursing
In addition, other important sites at CMU were constructed during this period.
In addition to academics, the university also emphasized on developing students social skills and awareness by organizing CMU’s traditional activities such as paying homage to Phrathat Doi Suthep, and The Doi Suthep Trek.