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History of KMUTT
King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) can trace its
origin to the Thonburi Technology Institute (TTI) which was established
on February 4, 1960 by the Department of Vocational Education, Ministry
of Education. TTI has as its objective the training of technicians, technical
instructors and technologists. By the virtue of the Technology Act, enacted
April 21, 1971, three technical institutes under the Department of Vocational
Education, namely Thonburi Technical Institute (TTI), North Bangkok Technical
Institute, and Nonthaburi Telecommunication Institute, were combined to
form one degree-granting institution under the name of King Mongkut's
Institute of Technology (KMIT) constituting three campuses. TTI thus became
KMIT Thonburi campus. In 1974, KMIT was transferred from the Ministry
of Education to the Ministry of University Affairs.
A new Technology Act was enacted February, 19, 1986: the three campuses of KMIT became three autonomous institutes, each having the status of university. KMIT Thonburi Campus henceforth became King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi (KMITT).
On March 7, 1998 as announced in the Royal Gazette, KMITT became King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT). KMUTT is the first among public universities in Thailand to receive full autonomy. Its administrative system is now patterned after international government owned universities. The new act gives KMUTT total control over its budget, allows it to own and manage property, and grants authority to set up new faculties and departments, as well as introduce new academic programs.
Development of academic programmes of KMUTT can be broadly grouped into three periods. These are
- First decade : The mission of the University was to produce technicians (through 3-year programmes after Grade 12) and practical engineers (through 5-year programmes after Grade 12) and technical instructors for technical colleges (through 2-year programmes after technician diploma) at bachelor degree level.
- Second decade : The University established a broader academic programme in science and technology by offering bachelor degree programmes in engineering and multidisciplinary technologies.
- Third decade : New areas in science, engineering and multidisciplinary technologies
are covered at bachelor, master and doctoral degree levels resulting
in increased emphasis on research, development and international academic
cooperation. Five doctoral programmes in engineering and multidisciplinary
technology are offered. A master programme in applied linguistics and
bachelor also programmes in architecture have been initiated. Technical
services units were established.
Being one of the top technological universities, KMUTT has a mandate to cradle leading scientists and Technologists capable of performing R&D for the broad purpose of enhancing the standard of living for mankind.
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