Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus, is located at 30 Village No.1, Khok Si, Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. Its development over the past three decades can be outlined as follows:

1. First Decade: Founding Period (BE 2528 - 2538 / 1985 - 1995)

In the year BE 2528 (1985), the monks from Khon Kaen Province collaborated to establish Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus. This initiative was in response to a royal decree by His Majesty the King, which mandated that monks who had successfully completed their Buddhist Education should be recognized with an educational level equivalent to a bachelor's degree from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, in line with the royal edict on the promotion of Buddhist education in BE 2527 (1984).

The establishment of the Khon Kaen Campus followed the regulations of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University regarding the establishment of campuses, and it was in accordance with the orders of the Most Venerable Phrarajsaramedhi (Ven. Luang Pho Sumanó), the Abbot of Wat That, and the Deputy Ecclesiastical Regional Governor of Region 9. In the meantime, a letter was sent to request the establishment of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus, on October 3, BE 2528 (1985), following the decree of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in the Supreme Patriarch's Royal Grace. The campus's official name became "Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, in His Majesty the King's Royal Grace, Khon Kaen Campus."

The official inauguration ceremony took place on June 25, BE 2530 (1987) at Wat That Royal Temple, with the Most Venerable Somdet Phra Buddhajahn (Arj Ahsapha) as the presiding officer.

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus, established its governance structure, including the appointment of a Council, the designation of Phrarajsaramedhi as the Vice Rector, and the appointment of Phramaha Sowit Kowito as the Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies. Additionally, the faculty members, full-time lecturers, and guest lecturers have been actively involved in educational activities since the establishment of the campus on May 16, BE 2529 (1986) within the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, specializing in Religious Studies. The first batch of students, consisting of 21 monks, enrolled as monastic students in the first and second semesters of the academic year of BE 2530 (1987).

In the second decade of its existence, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus, continued to expand its educational activities:

2. Second Decade: Continuous Expansion (BE 2539 - 2549 / 1996 - 2005)

Despite the promulgation of the royal decree in BE 2527 (1984) that established the academic status of Buddhist monks, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University did not enjoy full recognition as a legal entity similar to other universities. This limited the university's ability to expand its educational programs to the master's and doctoral degree levels, as per the university's objectives and policies. Efforts were made to address this issue, but it took nearly 50 years until BE 2540 (1997) when the government, led by Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, submitted a proposal to the National Assembly to enact the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Act, BE 2540 (1997). The Act was approved on September 21, BE 2540 (1997), and was published in the Royal Gazette on October 1, BE 2540 (1997), which officially granted Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University legal status as a public university, separate from government agencies and state enterprises, emphasizing its focus on Buddhist Education.

In the second decade, the university expanded its educational activities in both curriculum and administration. Specifically:

- In BE 2539 (1996), the university received approval to expand its educational activities at the college level at Wat Sriwicaiwanaram, Kud Pong Sub-district, Mueang District, Loei Province, offering courses in Religious Studies and Thai language. The first batch of students, consisting of 35 monastic students, enrolled.

- In BE 2542 (1999), the university received approval to expand its educational activities at the classroom level. This expansion was approved during the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Council meeting No. 6/2542 on August 27, BE 2542 (1999), and led to the establishment of a branch at Wat Buraphaphiram (Wat Pho Wiang), Phadungphanit Road, Nai Mueang Sub-district, Mueang District, Roi Et Province, specializing in religious studies and philosophy. The first batch of students, consisting of 29 monastic students, enrolled. Currently, it has been elevated to the status of Roi Et Sangha College, effective on November 26, BE 2558 (2015).

The history and development of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus, including its expansion of education and changes over the third decade, are described as follows:

In the Buddhist Era 2549 (2006 AD), approval was granted to expand the educational scope to the level of a full-service academic unit, located at Wat Apisit, Nakhon Sawan Road, Talat Subdistrict, Mueang District, Maha Sarakham Province. It began offering education and teaching programs in the fields of religion and philosophy. The first batch of students consisted of 41 individuals. Eventually, it was elevated to the status of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Khon Kaen Campus –– Maha Sarakham Sangha College on 26th December, Buddhist Era 2561 (2018 AD).

At the same time, the education scope was expanded to establish a centre for education at Wat Klang (Phra Aram Luang), Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kalasin Province. It offered a Bachelor of Arts programme in Buddhist Administration with the first batch of 50 students. Additionally, approval was granted to offer postgraduate education, and a Graduate School was established at the Khon Kaen Campus, initially offering the programme of Master of Arts in Buddhism, the first batch of which commenced in Buddhist Era 2548 (2005 AD).

3. The Third Decade: Striving to Become a Centre for Propagating Buddhism in the North-eastern and Indo-Chinese Regions (B.E. 2550 - 2560)

In the third decade, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Khon Kaen Campus aimed to become a centre for propagating Buddhism in the northeastern and Indo-Chinese regions. Various developments occurred in this regard:

In the Buddhist Era 2550 (2007 AD), due to an increase in the number of students, the existing educational facilities at Wat That (Phra Aram Luang) were insufficient. Therefore, the campus relocated to a new location at Wat Pa Sri Jaroentham in Koksee sub-district, Khon Kaen. The new campus was equipped with classrooms, a library, an information technology centre, a radio broadcasting station, and a conference hall. On December 17, Buddhist Era 2550 (2007 AD), Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Sirindhon officially opened Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus.

In terms of educational programs, additional courses in various fields were approved, and a vision was established for Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus, to be a university focused on "Education Arrangement and Buddhism Propagation in the Northeast of Thailand and Indo-China Region." This was based on the responsibility to create new knowledge in Buddhism, integrate it with modern sciences, develop minds, and benefit society. Additionally, a radio station for propagating Buddhism was established, playing a significant role in spreading Buddhism in the region, including the promotion of various university activities.

In Buddhist Era 2551 (2008 AD), a Centre for Moral Promotion, Ethics, and Stability of the National Religion and the Great Monarchy was established to support the teaching and moral guidance provided by monks in various schools in all responsible Sangha Colleges under the Khon Kaen Campus.

In Buddhist Era 2552 (2009 AD), approval was granted to offer a doctoral programme and a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies.

In the Buddhist Era 2553 (2010 AD), for the benefit of propagating Buddhism, two organizations were established: the Centre for Promoting Virtue and Morality in Service of the Nation, Buddhism, and the Great Monarchy, and the Academic Service Centre for Buddhism and ASEAN.

In Buddhist Era 2554 (2011 AD), a radio station for propagating Buddhism was established in Phu Khieo District, Chaiyaphum Province, to operate alongside the main radio station of the Khon Kaen Campus, resulting in a more extensive network for propagating Buddhism and more effective public relations and Buddhism propagation activities.

Currently, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus, offers a wide range of educational programmes at various levels to allow applicants to choose their preferred field of study. These programmes include:

Certificate Level (Equivalent to Bachelor's Degree)

1. Certificate Programme in Buddhist Administration (C.B.A.)

2. Certificate Programme in Teaching Moral and Ethical Values in Schools (C.T.M.E.)

3. Certificate Programme in Vipassana Meditation (C.V.M.)

Bachelor's Degree Level

4. Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies (B.A.B.S.)

5. Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (B.A. Phil.)

6. Bachelor of Education in Social Studies (B.Ed. in Social Studies)

7. Bachelor of Education in Teaching Thai Language (B.Ed. in Teaching Thai Language)

8. Bachelor of Arts in English (B.A. English)

9. Bachelor of Political Science (B.Pol.Sc.)

10. Bachelor of Public Administration (B.P.A.)

11. Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)

Master's Degree Level

12. Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies (M.A.B.S.)

13. Master of Arts in Philosophy (M.A. Phil.)

14. Master of Education in Buddhist Educational Administration (M.Ed. in BEA)

15. Master of Education in Social Studies (M.Ed. in Social Studies)

16. Master of Political Science (M.Pol.Sc.)

17. Master of Education in Teaching Thai Language (M.Ed. in Teaching Thai Language)

Doctoral Degree Level

18. Doctor of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies (Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies)

19. Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy (Ph.D. in Philosophy)

20. Doctor of Education in Buddhist Educational Administration (Ed.D. in BEA)

21. Doctor of Education in Social Studies (Ed.D. in Social Studies)

22. Doctor of Political Science (Ph.D. in Political Science)

23. Doctor of Education in Teaching Thai Language (Ed.D. in Teaching Thai Language)

In addition, in the Buddhist Era 2555 (2012 AD), a significant organization was established to facilitate the propagation of Buddhism, namely, the Centre for Language, Wisdom, and ASEAN Culture. This centre is dedicated to preserving and promoting the languages, wisdom, and cultures of the ASEAN region. Simultaneously, it serves as a hub for driving local cultural issues in ASEAN that require the spotlight on cultural aspects related to Buddhism in the Indo-Chinese region.

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus, has expanded its educational offerings to provide opportunities for students to explore various fields of study and contribute to the propagation of Buddhism and cultural preservation in the region.

Contributed by Suriya Bunyarang

6th October 2023