History
“The founding of Khon Kaen University as another university is a great advantage, for it extends high education to another important region of the country. It will tremendously bring good outcomes to the development and upgrading of the regional people.” The success in founding Khon Kaen University is to be gladdened by all. –
His Majesty King Bhumipol’s saying on the occasion of the auspicious foundation ceremony of Khon Kaen University on December 20, B.E. 2510.
Khon Kaen University is the first university in the Northeast. The thought of establishment of a university in this region can be traced back to the period before the Second World War. However, plans and true preparation had not been carried out until under the government led by General Sarit Thanarat when this region was being developed in 1962. Hence, construction work started in 1964. An agreement was made to initiate two programs in engineering and agriculture at a place named “Ban Seethan”, Khon Kaen Province. The proposed name of the university was Khon Kaen Institute of Technology (K.I.T.), a tertiary level institution affiliated to the National Education Council. Later in 1965, the cabinet at that time had a consensus to change the name to Khon Kaen University. His Majesty the King ordered the issuance of Khon Kaen University Act and the announcement in the Government Gazette on January 25, 1966, the date abided by all the University Foundation Day.
Determination and Philosophy
Khon Kaen University is the center of social thoughts and intellects. It is the educational center of the Northeast. Khon Kaen University holds firm to academic excellence and extends relationships with worldwide institutions for exchanges of knowledge and technology. Khon Kaen University is geographically located close to the Indochina countries, and is a link for Indochinese knowledge.
Khon Kaen University has mechanisms to develop towards academic excellence in all fields and has laid the foundation for the regional information center with support from efficient administration.
Graduates of Khon Kaen University are individuals with knowledge, moral, and intellect that can be applied in their actions towards optimal benefits for the region, the country, and the world.
Khon Kaen University Logo
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The picture of two angels bracing Phra That Phanom relics in order to respectfully engage blessings to the university. Phra That Phanom sits on a log engraved with the university’s name. The background is divided into 3 parts to represent the three ethics for the students, namely ‘wittaya’ or good knowledge, ‘jariya’ or good behavior, and ‘panya’ or wisdom from learning and good thinking.
University’s Color
The University’s Color is the color of the red earth which denotes the areal characteristic and the geographical name. The University is situated on a highland area full of ripples of red earth called “mor din daeng” (red earth hill).
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The University’s Flower is ‘kalapruek’.
‘kalapruek’ is the tree planted by HM the King and the Queen on the auspicious ceremony of the foundation of the University on December 20, 1967. The scientific name of the tree is Cassia bakeriana Craib and the common English name is ‘pink shower’. ‘Kalapruek’ is a medium size tree, with wide leaves and pink flowers that turn white when they are falling. The flowers bloom in bunches at the end of winter.