Empowering Students to Complete Their University Education
Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU) has implemented a range of support programs for students from low-income families, ensuring equitable access to higher education and fostering academic success. The initiatives, primarily coordinated by the Office of Student Affairs, aim to provide financial, academic, and career assistance to students in need. These efforts are integral to BSRU’s commitment to SDG 1, aiming to reduce poverty through education and opportunity.
1. Educational and Career Guidance Services
Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU) is committed to supporting students from low-income families by providing comprehensive academic, financial, and career assistance, ensuring that financial hardship does not become a barrier to completing higher education. One of the key aspects of this commitment is BSRU’s educational and career guidance services. Through these services, students receive tailored support to navigate both their academic paths and career journeys. Consulting services are available for students, either individually or in groups, to provide essential guidance for overcoming academic challenges and preparing for employment.
The job placement service further enhances this support by helping students secure part-time and full-time employment, allowing them to gain experience while ensuring financial stability.
Additionally, BSRU runs an ongoing project that helps students earn an income while studying, which alleviates financial pressures and enables them to focus on their studies without worrying about immediate financial needs.
2. Scholarships for Tuition-Free Study
In addition to career guidance, BSRU offers extensive scholarships to students. Scholarships for tuition-free study are provided from both internal and external sources, with over 100 scholarships available to students. These scholarships cater to various categories, including those for academic excellence, financially disadvantaged students who excel in their studies, students who bring recognition to the university, and those who demonstrate exemplary conduct. Each category is tailored to meet different needs, ensuring that deserving students receive the support they require.
3. Student Loan Fund for Financial Assistance
Beyond scholarships, BSRU’s Student Loan Fund is an important initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to students in need. This fund is divided into four key categories: loans for financially disadvantaged students, loans for students studying in fields critical to national development, loans that promote specific priority fields, and loans for academically outstanding students pursuing graduate studies. Each loan type addresses a unique aspect of student need, helping those in high-demand fields, financially struggling students, and students with academic potential to continue their education.
In the 2023 academic year, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University’s Office of Student Affairs administered the Student Loan Fund to support students financially. In the first semester, 2,241 scholarships were awarded, totaling 29,563,800.00 THB. For the second semester, 2,164 scholarships were granted, amounting to 25,471,949.00 THB, ensuring that students had access to essential educational resources throughout the year.
To qualify for the following year’s Student Loan Fund at BSRU, borrowers must engage in public service activities aimed at fostering compassion, selflessness, and a public spirit. While new and transitioning borrowers have no set hour requirements, returning borrowers advancing to higher educational levels must complete at least 36 hours of such activities. Participation must be recorded and verified by an assigned head or administrator, serving as proof of fulfilling the fund’s service-oriented criteria.
4. Free Scholarships for Low-Income Students
BSRU also provides free scholarships to further support low-income students. Royal Scholarships recognize students who have excelled academically and shown great potential, while the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation provides additional scholarship funding for students in fields essential to national interests. Furthermore, BSRU offers university-funded scholarships, available to both merit-based and need-based applicants, along with scholarships from external agencies. In 2023 alone, BSRU has provided over 105 scholarships amounting to 4,356,150 baht, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have a fair chance at higher education.
5. Erawan Scholarship Program
The university’s commitment to supporting students in need was further underscored in August 2023, when BSRU students were awarded the prestigious “Erawan Scholarship” from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. This scholarship, intended to address the shortage of teachers in Bangkok, is available to students from low-income backgrounds and children of long-serving Bangkok government employees. The Erawan Scholarship, awarded to students with an agreement to work as educators within Bangkok upon graduation, ensures continuity in the quality of education by supporting students who are committed to giving back to their communities.
6.Securing Scholarship Initiative for Low-Income Student Support
Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU), through its Office of Student Affairs, is dedicated to securing scholarships and financial support for students from low-income backgrounds as part of a strategic commitment to expanding educational accessibility. By actively identifying and collaborating with various scholarship programs, BSRU has facilitated opportunities for students to receive funding from prestigious sources, such as the Royal Initiative Project, Muang Thai Insurance Public Company Limited, the Admiral Sangad Chaloryu Foundation, the Bangkok Insurance Foundation, and the Por Tek Tung Foundation. This proactive approach ensures that financial constraints do not hinder students’ pursuit of higher education, reinforcing BSRU’s mission to foster a supportive and inclusive academic environment for all.
7.Comprehensive Health Support for Student Well-being at BSRU
BSRU’s Office of Student Affairs is committed to promoting student health and well-being by offering regular health check-ups throughout the academic year. These health services are accessible to all students, including new enrollees and third-year students, as seen in the latest check-up session held on July 6, 2023. This initiative is especially valuable for students from low-income backgrounds, as it provides an essential opportunity to monitor their health without financial burden. By prioritizing regular health assessments, BSRU ensures that all students have equal access to necessary healthcare, supporting their overall academic and personal development.
8.Inclusive Student Health and Safety Insurance for All
Aligned with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, BSRU provides accident insurance for all students, ensuring comprehensive protection tailored to the needs of their specific programs. This initiative is particularly beneficial for students from low-income backgrounds, who may otherwise face challenges in affording personal insurance. By covering potential medical expenses resulting from accidents, the university safeguards these students’ health, enabling them to focus on their studies and overall well-being without financial strain.
