Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University (SNRU) is located 6 kilometers from the city center, towards Udon Thani province, and spans a total area of 636 rai, 2 ngan, and 4 square wah. The land was originally owned by the Ministry of Defense and the Police Department, and was once the location of the Police Academy Region 4 in Sakon Nakhon province. However, the academy’s operations were consolidated with other regions, and the Ministry of Interior later used the site to construct a new provincial hall for Sakon Nakhon. The construction of the new hall was completed in 1963, but the building was never used. The Ministry of Interior then changed plans and built the provincial hall at the current government center of Sakon Nakhon. Consequently, the Ministry of Education requested the land and buildings to establish a teacher training school. Under the orders of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, the then Prime Minister, the land and buildings were transferred to the Ministry of Education, and Sakon Nakhon Teacher Training School was officially established on July 17, 1964.
Sakon Nakhon Teacher Training School began its operations in the 1964 academic year with an initial intake of 70 students (48 men and 22 women), who were enrolled at Ubon Ratchathani Teacher’s College, Mahasarakham Teacher’s College, and Udon Thani Teacher’s College. Mr. Chamnong Phavaphuthanon of Mahasarakham served as the principal. In the 1965 academic year, 152 more students were admitted, and the school had 18 teachers. In 1966, the school began offering a higher certificate in teacher education (P.G.C.) and enrolled 146 students, with 24 teachers on staff. Mr. Phot Thanyakhan served as the principal. The school continued to grow, both in terms of student enrollment and faculty, as well as the expansion of its buildings. This led to the school being upgraded to Sakon Nakhon Teacher’s College on January 16, 1970, offering both day and evening classes.
In the 1975 academic year, the college began offering a bachelor’s degree (B.Ed.) for the first time.
In 1976, the Teacher’s Training Council introduced a semester-based system, and the evening students were renamed continuing students until 1978.
In 1978, the college began offering a 2-year bachelor’s degree (post-diploma) for the first time and began training in-service teachers and educational personnel.
In 1985, the college expanded its offerings to include various disciplines, such as liberal arts and sciences.
In 1986, it introduced a 4-year and 2-year bachelor’s degree program for in-service personnel.
In 1987, the “Kuruthayath” teacher training project was launched for the first time.
On February 14, 1992, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej graciously bestowed the name “Rajabhat Institute” to all teacher training colleges across the country. In 1994, the government submitted the Rajabhat Institute Act to the Parliament, which was signed into law by King Bhumibol Adulyadej on January 19, 1995, and announced in the Royal Gazette on January 24, 1995. This act officially changed the name of Sakon Nakhon Teacher’s College to Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat Institute, under the Office of the Rajabhat Institute Council. Assistant Professor Dr. Prasit Kongsasana was appointed the first president of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat Institute.
Later, on June 9, 2004, King Bhumibol Adulyadej signed the Rajabhat University Act, which was announced in the Royal Gazette on June 14, 2004. This act officially elevated Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat Institute to Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University from June 15, 2004. Assistant Professor Dr. Watthana Suwantrai was the first acting president of the university, and the current president is Assistant Professor Chakrit Chanchitpricha.
