- Faculty of Veterinary Science -

History

History of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University

The project to establish the Faculty of Veterinary Science was initiated as part of the Higher Education Development Plan, Phases 7 (1995-1996) and 8 (1997-2001), under the Office of the President of Mahidol University. Professor Sompol Pongthai, serving as Project Director, and Professor Peerasak Chantraprateep, then Director of the Medical Science Research Institute at Chulalongkorn University, were appointed by the President of Mahidol University as advisors for the establishment of the faculty and its teaching framework, serving from May 17, 1996, to May 16, 1998.

The project commenced with the development of curriculum for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Bachelor of Science (in Applied Animal Science) degrees, overseen by a subcommittee chaired by Professor Peerasak Chantraprateep. The curriculum for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine was approved by the Ministry of University Affairs on January 30th, 1998. The establishment of the Faculty of Veterinary Science was successfully completed, with the Ministry of University Affairs approving it as an Office of the Dean, as indicated in the letter of the Ministry of University Affairs No. 0204(3)/5875 dated March 14th, 1997. The Faculty, then, was formally established by the Royal Decree establishing divisions within Mahidol University, published in the Government Gazette, Vol. 114, Part 52 A, on October 2, 1997.

On October 2, 1998, the Faculty of Veterinary Science received significant support from Assisstant Professor Parnthep Ratanakorn, who at that time was the President of The Veterinary Practitioner Association of Thailand. He assisted with internal administration and served as Acting Dean starting on December 1, 1998. Subsequently, on March 17th, 1999, the Mahidol University Council appointed Assistant Professor Parnthep Ratanakorn as the inaugural Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science. This appointment coincided with the matriculation of the Faculty's first cohort of veterinary students.

Currently, the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Mahidol University’s Salaya campus comprises two primary buildings. The first is a teaching and laboratory building dedicated to animal science and veterinary medicine, a nine-story structure that facilitates the teaching and learning processes for students and houses the Office of the Dean. The second is the Prasu Arthorn Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which includes a teaching and laboratory building for veterinary clinics and applied animal sciences. Additionally, two other buildings are currently under construction. These new facilities will be designated for postgraduate programs and extended section of the animal or veterinary teaching hospital. The construction of these buildings is scheduled for completion in 2025. Furthermore, the Faculty of Veterinary Science includes the Pasu Parlun Veterinary and Livestock Center, as well as the Research and Laboratory Center for Zoonotic Diseases, which are located at Kanchanaburi campus. These facilities support student education and provide academic and veterinary services to the public.

Our timeline

May 17, 1996

The project to establish the new faculty, as outlined in the 7 (1995–1996) and 8 (1997–2001) Development Plans of Mahidol University, falls under the responsibility of the Office of the President. The project was headed by Professor Sompol Pongthai, who serves as the Director of the Veterinary Medicine Faculty Establishment Project, and Professor Peerasak Chataraprateep, who holds the position of the Director of the Research Institute for Medical Science, a part of Chulalongkorn University. Prof. Pongthai and Prof. Chantaraprateep were appointed by the President to serve as advisors to Mahidol University in the areas of academic management and the establishment of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, from May 17, 1996, to May 16, 1998.
March 14, 1997

Approval for the establishment the Faculty of Veterinary Science as the Office of the Dean, according to the letter of the Ministry of University Affairs No.0204(3)/5875 dated March 14, 1997.
October 2, 1997

It was announced as the Faculty of Veterinary Science under the Royal Decree for Establishing an Administrative Unit of the Ministry of the University Affairs within Mahidol University, according to Mahidol University's announcement in the Royal Gazette Volume 114, Section 52 A, dated October 2, 1997.
January 30, 1998

The curriculum for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Bachelor of Science (Applied Veterinary Science) program was initiated under the supervision of the Curriculum Development Committee for the program. This committee is chaired by Professor Peerasak Chantaraprateep. Subsequently, in 1998, Mahidol University reviewed and approved the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum (new curriculum of 1988).
March 17, 1999

On October 2, 1998, the Faculty of Veterinary Science received significant support from Associate Professor Parnthep Ratanakorn, who at that time was the President of The Veterinary Practitioner Association of Thailand. He assisted with internal administration and served as Acting Dean starting on December 1, 1998. Subsequently, on March 17, 1999, the Mahidol University Council appointed Assistant Professor Parnthep Ratanakorn as the inaugural Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science. This appointment coincided with the matriculation of the Faculty's first cohort of veterinary students.
April 18, 2002

We have successfully completed the construction of the Veterinary and Animal Science Learning and Integrated Laboratory Building. This facility serves as a comprehensive center for both theoretical and practical veterinary education, providing students with state-of-the-art resources and housing the Office of the Dean.
January 5, 2004

Prasu Arthorn Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides health examination and animal - disease treatment services at the Veterinary and Applied Animal Science Learning and Laboratory Building. It serves as a facility for veterinary students to practice therapeutic treatments.
July 2004

The clinic diagnoses animal diseases at the Veterinary and Wildlife Clinic and Laboratory Building, located in Kanchanaburi Province. It serves as a training ground for veterinary students specializing in wildlife and exotic animal clinical practices.
October 3, 2006

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the inauguration ceremony of the Veterinary and Animal Science Learning and Integrated Laboratory Building at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus. This state-of-the-art facility encompasses departments of veterinary medicine, clinical veterinary science, and applied animal science.
April 2, 2014

Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak (Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, The Princess Srisavangkavadhana) graciously visited the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, to observe the operations of the Prasu Arthorn Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the Animal Biosafety Level 3 Veterinary Research Laboratory.
August 10, 2017

The construction of the Research and Laboratory Center for Zoonotic Diseases, located at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Kanchanaburi Campus, has been successfully completed. This facility serves as a central hub for education and research study in the fields of emerging infectious diseases transmitted from animals to humans.