The Community: Phitsanulok
Encompassing an area of 10,815 square kilometres, the
Proserous province of Phitsanulok is divided into nine
districts. The province is approximately 490 kilometers
north of Bangkok and it serves as a trading and transportation
link between the northern and the central regions of Thailand.
The former name "Song Kwae" was changed to Phitsanulok
during the fifteenth century by King Boromatrilokanart
and the city was the residence of Crown Princes during
the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767). Phitsanulok was the
birthplace of King
Naresuan the Great (reign: 1590 - 1605), and his brother
Prince Ekathosarot. The province was a major centre of
recruitment when Ayuthaya waged war with Burma, and was
the capital of Thailand for 25 years during the 1448-1488
reign of the Ayuthaya, King Boromtrailokanat.
The University
Before becoming the university it is today, Naresuan University
journeyed through several stages of struggle and growth.
Initially, it was an offshoot of the then College of Education,
under the Ministry of Education. As part of the Department
of Teacher Education's policy to expand degree programs
in teacher education upcountry, the Department of Teacher
Education, the Council of the College of Education, on
January 18, 196A, resolved to establish a campus of the
College of Education in Phitsanulok. On January 25,1967,
the Ministry of Education, by the authority vested in
the College of Education Act B.E. 2497 (1954), issues
an executive order to establish the College of Education,
Phitsanulok – the fourth campus after Prasarnmitr,
Pathumwan, and Bangsaen campuses, respectively.
In 1974, the College of Education,
Phitsanulok, was granted university status under the
name Srinakharinwirot University, Phitsanulok.
This campus remained part of Srinakharinwirot University
for 16 years until in 1990, when it became Naresuan
University.
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