Thammasat ranked the 7th out of over 1,000 institutions around the world along with winning the number 1 position in the country in driving SDG 5 on Gender Equality.

Tuesday 20 June 2023

     The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, a world-renowned university ranking agency, has released its fifth ranking of institutions that drive the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SDGs Goal 5 on Gender Equality. On June 1, 2023. It was found that Thammasat University (TU.) ranked at 7 out of 1,081 educational institutions around the world and is regarded as the number 1 in Thailand.

     Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University revealed in the activity "Pride @Thammasat: Celebrate with Pride, Unite in Diversity, Be Different: Be Confident in an Equally Safe Space" held on June 19, 2023, that on the occasion of the 89th anniversary of Thammasat University has carried out its vision with the concept of Trinity TU: Equity, Opportunity, Sustainability which reflects the importance of gender equality and nondiscrimination, and promote the importance of gender equality in all dimensions.

     Assoc. Prof. Gasinee said that the university places great importance on the SDGs Goal 5. In the past, there have been actions aimed at reducing gender disadvantages in education and employment. This includes having a policy that does not discriminate against women and gender diversity along with creating facilities to support the lifestyles of all sexes as well as setting up a committee to promote safety and create understanding of gender since 2019, which has come to define policies and operational plans of Thammasat University, realizing the sensitivity in the gender difference dimension along with the preparation of measures to prevent and solve the problem of violation or sexual harassment.

     Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pisanu Tuchinda, Vice Rector for Rangsit Campus Administration on Quality of Life, Thammasat University said that although Thai society has transcended the term male and female as a result of greater diversity, but it is still necessary to develop welfare in order to elevate the quality of life for all groups of people equally. This is what the university has always given priority to. For example, the allocation of educational quotas from early childhood to higher education, as well as child support services that are available for strengthening the family institution.

     Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pisanu went on to say that every policy driven by Thammasat has been followed up and heard from the four Thammasat communities, whether it is students, staff, professors, as well as various agencies that have joint cooperation such as the Department of Women's Affairs and Family Institutions, communities, provincial administrative organization, etc., so that the policies can be concrete and truly meet the needs.

     “Certainly, in driving forward we will not be stopping at the 7th in the world, we expect to go even further. Being able to achieve this point, it is not purely just the policy of the university administrators alone, but the voice from all of us who helps to reflect what is good and what is not good, and taking part in helping each other think. There are many new dimensions that can be presented to the university and society," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phitsanu said.

     Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chumkhet Sawaengcharoen, Vice Rector for Physical Affairs of Rangsit Campus, Thammasat University said that Thammasat University does not only aim to create gender equality, but there is also a drive to reduce inequality, which is the 10th SDGs goal, by allowing all groups to have equal access to other resources on campus without borders. For example, there is an electric bus in the university with ramps that can accommodate all types of wheelchairs in which announcements will be made when arriving at a stop along the way to provide information to the visually impaired.

     “Asking about what Thammasat has done? We allow students to dress according to the gender of their choice. We have a safe space for our students. We have a Thammasat Sexual Health Clinic that supports counseling for everyone of all genders. We start with the correct root causes, solve various issues from the beginning and finally those problems will be tackled and resolved accordingly, ”said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chumkhet.