Graduate School of Public Administration

1955
Establishment of The Graduate School of Public Administration

The Graduate School of Public Administration, National Institute of Development Administration, was established on July 6, 1955, under Thammasat University. It was the first graduate school in Thailand to offer a Public Administration program, with a collaboration with faculty members from Indiana University for the curriculum development and teaching activities until 1963. 

1966
Establishment of the
National Institute of Development Administration
in Bang Kapi, Bangkok
Establishment of the National Institute of Development Administration

The Thai government established the National Institute of Development Administration on April 1, 1966, with the primary goal of producing and developing personnel in development administration in compliance with the National Institute of Development Administration Act, B.E. 2509. The Graduate School of Public Administration initially offered a regular master's degree program. Later in 1984, it introduced doctoral degree program, with Thai as a medium of language.

1987
Increased educational options
and expanded educational opportunities to the regions.
The Beginning of Innovation in Educational Services in Thailand

In 1987, the Graduate School of Public Administration introduced a special master's degree program in Bangkok, with a primary emphasis on the expansion of educational opportunities.  With a collaboration with administrators from regional educational institutions, the Graduate School of Public Administration introduced a special master's degree program in various regions of Thailand.

1990
Teaching and Learning Activities at the Education Center in Uttaradit

The Graduate School of Public Administration was granted an approval from the National Institute of Development Administration Council to extend its Master of Public Administration program in different regions to provide educational opportunities for service professionals in public and private sectors living in other provinces to pursue the course without commuting to Bangkok. In its initial phase in 1990, the Master of Public Administration program was offered at the Educational Center in Uttaradit as part of the NIDA-UTC project. The office was originally located at Uttaradit Teachers College, and later relocated to Phitsanulok in 1998.     

1991
Teaching and Learning Activities at the Lamphun Provincial Office

The Graduate School of Public Administration introduced its Master of Public Administration program in Lampang by establishing a center at Yonok University for five cohorts. In 1998, some students transferred to the Lamphun Provincial Office.

1991
Teaching and Learning Activities at the Surat Thani Provincial Office
  • The Graduate School of Public Administration offered the Master of Public Administration program at the Surat Thani Provincial Office.
  • The office was located at Surat Technology School (currently renamed as Surat Commercial Technology College), in Mueang District, Surat Thani Province. It has been operated until present.
1991 – 1992
  • Teaching and learning activities at an education center in the northeastern region.
  • The Nakhon Rachasima Provincial Office (located at the Nakhon Ratchasima Teachers College)
  • The Education Center in Ubon Ratchathani
  • Prepared to construct a permanent education center building in Sikhio district, Nakhon Ratchasima.
1993
Introducing the First International Doctoral Degree Program

The doctoral program in Development Administration was revised and offered in English, with the primary focus on developing the institution as a hub for Development Administration education in the Southeast Asian region.

1992
Teaching and Learning Activities at the Provincial Office in Hat Yai, Songkhla

The Graduate School of Public Administration, National Institute of Development Administration at the Hat Yai Provincial Office in Songkhla began offering the Master of Public Administration program on November 27, 1992. The objective was to expand educational opportunities to the southern region residents, especially those who were self-employed, working in private companies, and government officials in the lower southern part close to Hat Yai district in Songkhla Province. This included Nakhon Si Thammarat province, other districts next to Songkhla province, and various districts of Songkhla and nearby provinces, including Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani. The master’s degree program was introduced to develop  a professional administrator’ management potentials. Through the collaboration with the Hat Yai Municipality, under the management of Mayor Khreang Suwanwong at the time, the Graduate School of Public Administration received the multi-purpose building of the Municipal School 4 (Wat Khlong Rian) in Khlong Rian Subdistrict, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. The office and classrooms used for teaching and learning activities were located on the 3rd and 4th floors of the said building. The first enrollment of master's degree students began in the academic year 1992, and the program has continued to operate, reaching its 22nd cohort.

Later, the Education Center relocated its office and teaching facilities to the Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Songkhla, located at 64 Ramvithi Road, Bo Yang, Mueang, Songkhla, on November 15, 2013, through a collaboration with Boromarajonani College of Nursing. The allocated space for the office and classrooms for the Master of Public Administration program was set up on the 2nd and 3rd floors, allowing the faculty to conduct its teaching and learning.

1994
Relocated to a permanent office
at Provincial Office in Sikhio, Nakhon Ratchasima

The National Institute of Development Administration was granted approval from the Ministry of Interior to use 486 rai of public land in Ban Nong Kham, Moo 8, Mittraphap Subdistrict, Nakhon Ratchasima, on February 12, 1993, to establish an educational center for the programs and training courses for local leaders and executives in both public and private sectors in the northeastern region and nearby areas. The institute developed a land development plan in 1993, and assigned faculty members of the Graduate School of Public Administration who were administrators of the Special Master's degree program in Public Administration for executives in Nakhon Ratchasima and the Northeast region, through the coordination with the Master Plan and the Planning Division Committee of the National Institute of Development Administration, to create various project plans for maximizing the land use. This effort was under the collaboration among government agencies, citizens and private sector.

     Later, the National Institute of Development Administration received kind support from Phra Rajthamchetiyajarn (Luangphor Viriyang Sirintharo), the abbot of Wat Dhammamongkol in Bangkok. He was firmly and perpetually committed to support higher education at the National Institute of Development Administration. He dedicated his physical and mental energy, financial resources, and the labor of his disciples to support the institute's activities. The stone-laying ceremony was held on April 29, 1993, and construction began on November 18, 1993. The first educational building at the Sikhio campus in Nakhon Ratchasima is a three-story building with classrooms, training rooms, offices, library, and faculty accommodations. The building's exterior reflects the Northeastern region’s style. During the construction, the institute received cooperation from various entities, including the 2nd Army Area in Nakhon Ratchasima, which supported temporary road construction to the building, the Royal Irrigation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which  allocated funds for constructing three ponds, and the Royal Forest Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which supported the planting of various tree species. Meanwhile, students and faculty members of The Graduate School of Public Administration contributed money and other resources. This led to the first building of the National Institute of Development Administration at Sikhio campus in Nakhon Ratchasima being named “Phra Rajthamchetiyajarn Building.” In 1995, The Graduate School of Public Administration relocated its office from the Nakhon Ratchasima Teachers College to the Sikhio Educational Center in Nakhon Ratchasima. 

      Subsequently, the faculty members, students, and staff of the Graduate School of Public Administration donated funds for the construction of a second building as an educational facility for the Graduate School of Public Administration and the National Institute of Development Administration, commemorating the 50th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s (Rama IX) accession to the throne. Phra Rajthamchetiyajarn continued to extend his support and took responsibility for the construction. The stone-laying ceremony was held on Wednesday, December 27, 1995.

   On July 1, 2020, The Graduate School of Public Administration, through the collaboration with Suranaree School 2, moved its operations from the Sikhio Educational Center in Nakhon Ratchasima to the Sikhio Educational Center office in Nakhon Ratchasima, where it remains its operation to this day.

1995
Teaching and Learning Activities at the Phuket Provincial Office

The Graduate School of Public Administration offered the Master of Public Administration program at the Phuket Provincial Office, the office was located at the Vocational College in Phuket. The program has conducted for 6 cohorts.

Teaching and Learning Activities at the Udon Thani Provincial Office

The Graduate School of Public Administration offered the Master of Public Administration program at the Udon Thani Provincial Office in cooperation with Udon Wittaya School in Udon Thani. This initiative was originated from students of the Special Master of Public Administration program at the Sikhio Provincial Office in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, who were working in Udon Thani and had to travel to the Sikhio Provincial Office for their studies. With the desire to promote educational opportunities to Udon Thani residents for a master’s degree program at a qualified institute, the consultations were then made with NIDA faculty members to extend the Special Public Administration program to Udon Thani. Upon the arrangement of land and location for the Udon Thani Provincial Office, Udonwittaya School was considered the most suitable place as it is centrally located in Udon Thani City and is easily accessible. Consultation was made and supported by Mr. Wiboon Triwatsuwan, the President of the Udon Thani Chinese Merchants Association first term. The Graduate School of Public Administration, National Institute of Development Administration, was granted access to Udonwittaya School as the educational center for the Special Master's program. Since the school was under the supervision and patronage of the Udon Thani Chinese Merchants Association, the collaborative education project for the Special regional Master's program in Udon Thani was established between the Graduate School of Public Administration and the Udon Thani Chinese Merchants Association, signed by the Dean of The Graduate School of Public Administration at the time and Mr. Wiboon Triwatsuwan, the President of the Udon Thani Chinese Merchants Association. After signing the project agreement, Mr. Wiboon Triwatsuwan initiated the construction of a new educational building.        

      In March 1995, during the construction of the new building, the first cohort of the Special Master's program in Udon Thani asked for permission to use the office of the Regional Treasury 4 as their temporary classrooms until the completion of the educational building. In January 1996, they moved to the Udonwittaya School (3rd floor) building.    
      Later, in 2020, they relocated the office to the Thailand National Sports University, Udon Thani Campus, Mueang District, Udon Thani, where it remains its operation to the present day.

1996
Introducing Master of Public and Private Management

Initiated a new and unique program in Thailand, Master of Public and Private Management for the first cohort.

1998
Teaching and Learning Activities at the Chon Buri Provincial Office

The Graduate School of Public Administration was granted an approval from the National Institute of Development Administration Council on June 17, 1998, to offer the Special Master of Public Administration program (Management for Executives) in Chon Buri. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Department of General Education to offer a Special Master of Public Administration program at Phothi Samphan Phitthayakhan School in Bang Lamung, Chonburi. Three cohorts were taught in total. Later, the National Institute of Development Administration relocated to the Interior College in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, under an agreement between the National Institute of Development Administration and the Ministry of Interior. The Ministry of Interior permitted the Graduate School of Public Administration to use the 3rd floor of the Interior College building for conducting graduate-level educational programs. As part of the agreement, the Graduate School of Public Administration offered scholarships for Ministry of Interior officials to study at the Graduate School of Public Administration's educational centers nationwide.

Teaching and Learning Activities at the Phitsanulok Provincial Office

The Graduate School of Public Administration program was offered at the Phitsanulok Provincial Office, located at Phitsanulok Business Administration Technological College (PL-TECH). Later in 2016, the office was relocated to the Bungphra Phitsanulok Commercial College in Mueang District, Phitsanulok, where it remains its operation to this day.

Teaching and Learning Activities at the Lamphun Provincial Office

The Lamphun Provincial Office received a donation of four plots of land, totaling 19 rai 1 ngan and 19 square wah, along with a 4-story concrete building in Mueang Chi, Mueang District, Lamphun, from Mrs. Dueanchai Ampunan, Mr. Chatchai Ampunan, Mr. Methee Wutthichayanan, and Mrs. Nansiri Ueakarawa, as a teaching and learning property for the Graduate School of Public Administration at the Lamphun Educational Center from the academic year 1996 to 2008. Currently, the institute has ceased its educational operations there, and the site has been repurposed as the "Community Learning Center" for social activities.

2001
Introducing the First International Master’s Degree Program
  • Offered the Master of Public and Private Management (English program).

  • Offered the Master of Public and Private Management program at the Sikhio Provincial Office in Nakhon Ratchasima.
2004
Introducing the Doctoral Program (Thai Program)

Offered the Doctor of Public Administration program (Thai program).

2007 – Present
Updating the curriculum every 5 years

Updated the master’s and doctoral degree programs in compliance with the standard criteria for graduate program and program management, and criteria for global quality assurance

Graduate School of Public Administration, National Institute of Development Administration l Bangkok,THAILAND

The Graduate School of Public Administration offers three master’s degree programs, namely, Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Master of Public and Private Management (M.P.P.M.), and Master of Management in Digital Governance and Sustainability (M.M. in Digital Governance and Sustainability). The M.P.A. and M.P.P.M. programs have been assessed and found to meet the standard requirements of the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance Standard (AUN-QA) and they are offered in both Thai and English languages. Moreover, the school provides two doctoral degree programs, which are the Philosophy Program in Public Administration (PhD in Public Administration in Thai Language) and the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Governance and Development (PhD in Governance and Development), which is available for international students.

GSPA’s Provincial offices

  • The Graduate School of Public Administration, National Institute of Development Administration offers two master’s degree programs.
  • The Master of Public Administration program (M.P.A.) is available in four off-site locations in the northern, northeastern, and southern regions of Thailand.
  • The Master of Public and Private Management program (M.P.P.M) is available in one off-site location in the eastern region of Thailand for executives who want to pursue a master’s degree in their free time. 
  • GSPA has partnered with educational institutions in different provinces to set up off-site education locations. These locations offer classes on Saturdays and some Sundays.
  • Students are allowed to study courses in accordance with the teaching schedule in Bangkok and at any off-site locations by specified conditions.
  • All programs offered in GSPA’s provincial office have been assessed and considered to meet the standard requirements of the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance Standard (AUN-QA). 
  • Currently, there are five GSPA’s provincial offices for students who want to continue study in the master’s degree in M.P.A. Program (Thai language program) and M.P.P. Program (Thai language program). 

Bueng Phra Phitsanulok Commercial College 410 Bueng Phra, Mueang Phitsanulok District,Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, 65000 Tel: 0 5533 7518, 08 1379 1691

 

Thailand National Sports University Udon Thani Campus, Erawan Building 3th floor 380 Moo 5, Udon Thani-Nong Bua Lamphu Road, Mak Khaeng Subdistrict, Mueang District, Udon Thani Province, Thailand 41000

 

Suranaree Wittaya school 2, Srisura building 4th Floor.118 Leab Klong Chonprathan Road, Nong Krathum,Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand, 30000 Tel: 0 4475 6790

Surat Commercial Technology College8/23 Road, Si Wichai 59 Tambon Makham Tia,Mueang Surat Thani District, Surat Thani Province, Thailand, 84000 Tel. 08 1849 3527