Numbers of students from underrepresented group at Thammasat

Proportion of first-generation undergraduate students and international students from developing countries

The total number of students of Thammasat University during the 2021 academic years is 44,053 students, 1,605 of which are first-generation undergraduate students, which accounts for 3.64% of the total number of students.

The total number of international students from developing countries who are enrolled in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs of Thammasat University during the 2021 academic years is 1,266 students, accounting for 2.68% of the total number of students

Proportion of female students and students with disabilities

The total number of students with disabilities who are enrolled in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs of Thammasat University during the 2021 academic years is 167 students, accounting for 0.35% of the total number of students, which is the 4th highest in public universities in Thailand.

Proportion of staff with disabilities

In 2022, the total number of employees in Thammasat University is 9,211 people, 16of which are people with disabilities, accounting for 0.17% of the University’s manpower.

In 2021, the total number of employees in Thammasat University is 8,855 people, 17 of which are people with disabilities, accounting for 0.19% of the University’s manpower.

In 2020, the total number of employees in Thammasat University is 8,899 people, 13 of which are people with disabilities, accounting for 0.15% of the University’s manpower.

Outreach programs and recruitment of students and staff from underrepresented groups

Thammasat University realizes the importance of access to the educational opportunities for those who are interested in pursuing further education and issued the following policies on admission of underprivileged students and expansion of educational opportunities:

Student with Disabilities Project recruits persons with disabilities for enrollment, with a quota for 63 students per academic year. The proportions of eligible applicants with disabilities in each academic year between 2019 – 2021 are as follows:

• In 2019 academic year, there were 7,758 eligible applicants, 21 of which are persons with disabilities, accounting for 0.27% of the total eligible applicants.

• In 2020 academic year, there were 10,128 eligible applicants, 18 of which are persons with disabilities, accounting for 0.18% of the total eligible applicants.

• In 2021 academic year, there were 9,670 eligible applicants, 19 of which are persons with disabilities, accounting for 0.20% of the total eligible applicants.

Thammasat University monitors and evaluates of the outcomes of the Student with Disabilities Project, i.e., monitoring academic performances of students with disabilities twice per academic year and following up on employment and further studies in postgraduate level of the graduates with disabilities. From the evaluation, more than 70% of the students with disabilities can maintain GPAX not lower than 2.00, and more than 80% of the graduates with disabilities become employed or continue in postgraduate study.

REF : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xOpU0CZq9xSNIzEfCyKeIZvPEH3C_J8m/edit 

Thammasat Scholarship for Underprivileged Students with Academic Excellence in Rural Areas recruits underprivileged individuals whose family gross income does not exceed 240,000 THB per year and who are residents of the specified provinces. In each academic year, up to 150 applicants are chosen to receive fully or partially funded scholarships to promote access to educational opportunities and eliminate the barriers due to social status, economic conditions, domicile, or residence. This scholarship covers monthly expenses, costs for uniform, dormitory fees, tuition fee, medical expenses, accident insurance, and books and stationery allowance.

Citizen Volunteer Recruitment Project recruits individuals who participate in citizen volunteer activities both inside and outside school, up to 81 applicants per academic year, to encourage and support those individuals who participate in citizen and volunteer activities including those that benefit others and the society to have access to further education.

Outstanding Talent in Sports Project recruits individuals who have a portfolio of outstanding performance in sports, up to 61 applicants per academic year, to encourage and support those individuals who have outstanding talent in 36 types of sports to have access to further education.

Graduate Scholarship Program for Excellent Foreign Students by Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology grants scholarships to foreign students with academic excellence to allow access to education until graduation. In 2020 academic year, there were EFS students following countries: 1 student from Bhutan, 1 student from Cambodia, 2 students from Indonesia, 4 students from Nepal, 1 student from the Nigeria, 3 students from Pakistan, 6 students from Sri Lanka, and 5 students from Vietnam.

REF : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vCV0z0_Y6N7s4m9DgBJGjP12ZABcCzLU/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/146K2QXEjBe6Bzno7p_74espnLNTeeEcv/edit

Employing persons with disabilities

In addition, Thammasat University has a policy to recruit persons with disabilities to work in agencies or faculties to comply with MINISTERIAL REGULATION PRESCRIBING THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES REQUIRED TO BE EMPLOYED BY EMPLOYERS OR OWNERS OF BUSINESS FACILITIES AND STATE AGENCIES, AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY REQUIRED TO BE REMITTED TO THE FUND FOR QUALITY OF LIFE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BY EMPLOYERS OR OWNERS OF BUSINESS FACILITIES, B.E. 2554 (2011) with a proportion of 1:100, In 2016, the University has been authorized by the University Board of Directors to increase personnel capacity by 10 persons specifically for the recruitment of persons with disabilities by organizing general competitive qualifying examinations that are specific for persons with disabilities.

At present, there are 17 persons with disabilities in the following positions: Audio-Visual Technical Officer; Finance and Accounting Analyst; Supply Analyst, Practitioner Level; Finance and Accounting Analyst, Practitioner Level; and Educator, Practitioner Level.

REF : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iTyVyPNJKm_ffbiuRJ62RSseE3TVBVOA/edit#

Thammasat’s anti-discrimination policies and practice guidelines

Thammasat University recognizes and values the importance of the countermeasures against discrimination and harassment of all forms, leading to the issuance of policies according to the following University Notifications and declaration of intent:

Thammasat University Notification on Policy on Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination against Women, LGBT People, and People with Disabilities designates a policy and practice guideline that focuses on protection from any discrimination or disadvantage in education or employment that is caused by the restrictions on social status, physical status, gender, age, ethnicity, locality, or social class.

This policy requires all agencies in Thammasat University to strictly follow the guideline to reduce inequality. Applicant qualification requirements for positions in Thammasat University will not be limited by social status, physical status, gender, age, ethnicity, locality, or social class, so that every individual has equal access to job opportunities by prioritizing qualifications or skills that correspond with the job description. Decision for admission, scholarship, and educational and skill development are also made without discrimination against gender, age, ethnicity, locality and social class to ensure that all individuals have equal access to education, and all students have access to scholarship as well as educational and skill development. Offenders whose actions are considered as discriminating, limiting, or causing disadvantage because of individual’s status are subjected to disciplinary offense.

Practice Guidelines for Sexual Molestation or Harassment Prevention and Solution, Thammasat University, designates a practice guideline in compliance with the Penal Code section 397 and Gender Equality Act, B.E. 2558 (2015), which prohibit “[performing or not performing] any act dividing, obstructing or limiting any direct or indirect privilege without fairness on the grounds that such person is male or female or expresses themselves differently from their inborn gender”.

Details of the guideline against discrimination and harassment cover the following topics: definitions of sexual molestation or harassment, characteristics of inappropriate behaviors that are considered as sexual molestation or harassment, scope of victim protection, place of incident and feeling of victim, appropriate steps in case of potential sexual molestation or harassment, including the process petitioning a complaint about sexual abuse or harassment, and the measures for petitioner and witness protection. In case of sexual abuse or harassment, the offender, either student or staff, will be given disciplinary offense as the University has designated, and if the action is considered a criminal offense, the offender will be prosecuted by laws.

Declaration of Intent “The Promotion of Equality and the Elimination of Gender Discrimination in Compliance with the Gender Equality Act B.E. 2558 (2015)” as of March 2, 2020 announced Thammasat University’s intention to comply with Gender Equality Act B.E. 2558 (2015) together with Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. This declaration of intent proposes a practice guideline to promote gender equality and eliminate gender discrimination as well as prevention and elimination of sexual abuse and harassment in workplace.

(REF: https://www.matichon.co.th/lifestyle/news_2041938)

Thammasat appoints Sexual Safety and Sexual Awareness Promotion Board

Thammasat University has established Sexual Safety and Sexual Awareness Promotion Board in 2019 to regulate and manage all issues related to sexual safety and gender equality. This Committee comprises 15 specialists from within and outside of Thammasat University and is responsible for setting policy, strategic plans and action plans in the area of Thammasat University that recognize and take into account the subtlety of differences between genders, organizing activities that respect the human dignity and honor all individuals, preparing comprehensive preventive and corrective measures against sexual abuse or harassment and other related processes, as well as defining the processes of petition submission and assistance for victims of sexual abuse, harassment, or discrimination.

Sexual Abuse and Harassment Investigation Subcommittee, consisting of 8 experts and representatives of the students and staff, was established with the responsibilities to investigate, collect evidence, and summarize the facts from sexual abuse or harassment cases that occur to the students of Thammasat University and report to the Sexual Safety and Sexual Awareness Promotion Board of Thammasat University for further actions.

Activities and projects to support underprivileged students and staff

Thammasat University together with Office of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has issued a policy on implementing The Integrated Subdistrict Economic and Social Enhancement Project (U2T) where Thammasat University is responsible for 50 districts, consisting of 48 districts in the Northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Lampang, Nan, and 2 districts in the Central province of Pathum Thani. The goals of this project are to increase employment opportunities for new graduates, students, and the public and to utilize the knowledge from the University to help enhance the economy and the society in each district toward sustainability, as well as to develop and improve 4 types of skills (digital, investment, languages, and social) to the employees.

REF:     https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gfz4f03oQK04FRvJr_NEHogdtNmVeYvc/edit

Volunteers are recruited to produce of learning materials for students with disabilities to assist with learning and foster imagination in visually impaired persons by producing e-books for visually impaired students, including MS Word and PDF files, producing Braille books from class materials or textbooks, producing audio books from class materials or textbooks, and recruiting volunteers to produce e-books, Braille books, and audio books.

REF: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oXjsZLHkMyr0-7Tex2VKorV9G5t1QmPG/edit

Thammasat University has implemented a project to prepare students with disabilities through the online system prior to attending the University to ensure their access to learning skills, daily self-help skills, as well as ability to communicate with other people effectively. The activities of this project includes educating about preparation for further education, developing skills in using equipment and supporting technology to assist in learning and seeking knowledge, including developing skills that students with disabilities require in daily life in the University.

REF: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gaKQPXJDbtRbOy-txO-n6L7V1f1ReBEv/edit

Support services for persons with disabilities

Thammasat University recognizes the importance of equal access to opportunities and services, regardless of individual status or restrictions. To support persons with disabilities, the University has established Disability Support Services to serve and support students with disabilities in various aspects with main responsibilities to support and help students with disabilities to access education and live in the University independently without obstacles and on equal terms with other people, so that the students achieve educational success and the graduates become employed. Disability Support Services offers the following services and supports:

1. Organizing educational guidance for students with disabilities
2. Organizing orientation and the project to prepare students with disabilities prior to attending the University
3. Supplying volunteers or buddies to help students with disabilities
4. Assisting during enrollment, adding or withdrawing from a course, midterm and final examinations, supplementary classes and tutoring, as well as tracking academic performances and organizing study plan
5. Providing financial support (tuition fee)
6. Providing technological facilities, class materials, dorm rooms, and other physical environments that are suitable for students with disabilities
7. Counselling services for academic and personal issues
8. Potential development training for students with disabilities
9. Assisting graduates with disabilities with employment

REF: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n0VKjXjDJejHZefuTn6M3vXP2HiDD9Cp/edit   

Thammasat University has organized the following services for persons with disabilities:

1. Equipment and tools, including desktop image and letter magnifiers, portable image and letter magnifiers, white canes, braille displays, braille note-taking devices, electric wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, wheelchair movers, electric adjustable computer desks, desktop computers, notebook computers, tablets for note taking, subtitles, voice recorders, and hearing aids
2. Physical facilities, including accessible toilets, ramps, handicap parking, signs, elevators, poles, traffic light poles for students with disabilities, and sidewalks for visually impaired students
3. Information media facilities, including braille books, audio books, media with magnified texts, and electronic documents

REF: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TKBDOpurL_aAN_9De4AZYGY1GepVnYs7/edit#

          In addition, Thammasat University has appointed The Board of Directors for the Disability Support Services and the Student with Disabilities Project Fund to correspond with the establishment of Student with Disabilities Project and Disability Support Services in expanding educational opportunities to persons with disabilities who have educational potential. This board is responsible for planning the management and supervising the operations of Disability Support Services and Student with Disabilities Project Fund in various aspects to achieve equality and justice; protect the rights of students with disabilities; manage and coordinate with internal and external agencies to maximize the benefits of students with disabilities; study, plan and design the physical environment of the University for equal utilization of all individuals, as well as to propose guidelines in improving the physical environment of the University so that students with disabilities can live independently and have access to education and all services.

REF: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tS6rjtA4CvmmaKmt8z9qQM4N_in6paAz/edit

Universal design for all

Facilities and housing for persons with disabilities

Thammasat University has a policy to make areas within the University an area of universal design that allows the people of all groups in the Thammasat University and in the society an equal access and utilization of all the buildings. Disability Support Services has implemented projects to improve the physical environment since 2012. So far, 21 projects have been completed which include development of the physical environment to facilitate students with disabilities, such as ramps, accessible toilets, handicap parking, signs, sidewalks for visually impaired students, elevators, etc.

REF: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mKiQ31Py01rBxCIZAyVIUEbcBEaAZCc9/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SGvA1Ct1qIdIBzNThH8L1JuPKRiEOV-U/edit

According to Thammasat University Notification on Policy on Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination Against Women, LGBT People, and People with Disabilities which has designated policies and practice guidelines for all sectors to set up areas that are appropriate for the number of people, their limitations, and their gender identities and in accordance with student admission through Student with Disabilities Project, Thammasat University has implemented a policy on the provision of housing for persons with disabilities by providing rooms for all students with disabilities who wishes to stay in the University dormitories. Disability Support Services will submit the list of students who wish to stay in the dormitory together with their disability requirement to Property and Sports Management, which is the agency that manages the University dormitories, to allocate rooms to all students with disabilities. The University also gives students with disabilities the right to specify their roommate (1 student with disabilities can specify 1 roommate) to serve as a buddy or assistance volunteer within the dorm room. This process allows all students with disabilities the right to live in the University dormitory without entering the dorm room reservation process with other students.

In addition, Disability Support Services together with Property and Sports Management has made improvements to the dormitories to make them appropriate for students with disabilities and allow the students to perform daily activities independently. Various parts of Asian Games Dormitory Building C8 has been improved, including 7 dorm rooms (bathroom and emergency button in the room, furniture, and other facilities) and 2 access ramps.

REF: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H49kudLAkSE94u5u_Oj9wYs1efKqT9SW/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18SorsUMWIOYJd7MpYaDCMFlNEGFPBUkb/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WZoMt1Y9umvx-NyJPeaTGo5xIqZ2xopy/edit

All-gender restrooms

In addition, all-gender restrooms have been made available on campus which demonstrates Thammasat University’s priority on freedom and equality, especially on promoting awareness on gender diversity and expressions that differ from the assigned sex at birth, including reducing the inequality that arises from the use of toilets that are separated according to gender binary. All-gender restrooms have been established to serve as symbolic and practical expression of the equality of all genders, to create awareness and recognition of gender diversity.

REF: https://docs.google.com/document/d/156E4fTXEpi2wWbCiMd8VJpUpcNqImrHB/edit