History
Faculty of Liberal Arts | Prince of Songkla University
Established in 1997, the Faculty of Liberal Arts is the only faculty on Hat Yai Campus that offers education in social sciences, humanities, physical education, languages and linguistics with emphasis on local art and culture. The faculty aims to strengthen its graduates in being able to live in society happily, with good vision, to understand and learn to peacefully solve problems.
Year 1997 | Establishment of the Faculty of Liberal Arts, 13 September 1997
On 11 February 1997, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus. A Royal Decree was subsequently promulgated to formally establish the Faculty within the University. The establishment was officially announced in the Royal Gazette, Volume 114, Section 47, dated 12 September 1997, and came into effect on the following day.
It was further prescribed that graduates of the Faculty of Liberal Arts shall bear a red stripe on their academic gown, as announced in the Royal Gazette, Volume 116, Section 53, dated 28 June 1999.
Year 1999 | Administrative Division into Two Departments
In the year 1999, the Faculty of Liberal Arts formally implemented an administrative division into two departments, namely the Department of General Studies and the Department of Languages and Linguistics. This administrative reorganization was officially promulgated in the Royal Gazette, Decree Edition, Volume 116, Part 76 Ngor, page 35, item 14, dated 23 September 1999.
Subsequently, Prince of Songkla University issued University Order No. 1543/2542, effecting the transfer of positions and corresponding salaries of lecturers and civil servants from the Department of General Studies, Faculty of Management Sciences, and the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Science, to the Faculty of Liberal Arts, with effect from 17 November 1999 onward.
Year 1999 | Administrative Division into Two Departments
In the year 1999, the Faculty of Liberal Arts formally implemented an administrative division into two departments, namely the Department of General Studies and the Department of Languages and Linguistics. This administrative reorganization was officially promulgated in the Royal Gazette, Decree Edition, Volume 116, Part 76 Ngor, page 35, item 14, dated 23 September 1999.
Subsequently, Prince of Songkla University issued University Order No. 1543/2542, effecting the transfer of positions and corresponding salaries of lecturers and civil servants from the Department of General Studies, Faculty of Management Sciences, and the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Science, to the Faculty of Liberal Arts, with effect from 17 November 1999 onward.
Year 2021 | Structure of the Faculty of Liberal Arts Comprising Two Academic Programs
Program in Foreign Languages
The Program in Foreign Languages is responsible for providing foreign language instruction to students across various undergraduate degree programs at the University. The program emphasizes the development of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Malay, and other foreign languages. Additionally, the program offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Chinese.
At the graduate level, the program provides instruction in the Master of Arts in Applied English Studies.
Subsequently, the University Council officially approved the designation of this program as the “Program in Foreign Languages” in 2021.
Program in Society, Culture, and Human Development
The Program in Society, Culture, and Human Development provides general education courses in humanities, social sciences, sports, physical education, and recreation to undergraduate students across various degree programs at the University. The program is designed to cultivate students’ comprehensive knowledge, practical skills, broad perspectives, environmental and social awareness, self-understanding, and understanding of others, thereby enabling them to adapt effectively and live responsibly within society.
The program offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Applied Thai, Community Studies for Sustainable Development, and Management of Aviation and Service Industry. At the graduate level, the program provides instruction in the Master of Arts in Human and Social Development (both regular and special programs) and the Master of Arts in Thai and Applied Thai (regular program). The program also offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Human and Social Development (regular program).
Subsequently, the University Council officially approved the designation of this program as the “Program in Society, Culture, and Human Development” in 2021.
Key Strengths of the Faculty
The Faculty of Liberal Arts is the only faculty within the Hat Yai campus offering education in social sciences, humanities, physical education, languages, and linguistics, with a particular emphasis on local arts and culture. The Faculty’s mission is to cultivate graduates who can live meaningfully and happily in society, possess broad perspectives, understand societal problems, and learn to resolve them peacefully.
Furthermore, the Faculty of Liberal Arts serves as a center for the creation of knowledge and research beneficial to the region, with the potential for broader application at the international level. The Faculty emphasizes teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration, promotes lifelong learning, and provides academic services to the community across relevant fields, with the aim of enhancing and developing the quality of the regional population.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Faculty of Liberal Arts are qualified to pursue careers in both public and private sectors, including but not limited to positions in service industries, public relations, business communication, tour guiding, office administration, secretarial work, teaching, language-related academic work, broadcasting/announcing, and cultural management.
Graduates may also engage in freelance professions, such as translation and interpretation, among others.
Faculty Color and Flower
The Faculty flower is Red West Indian Jasmine.
The Faculty color is orange-red.
(Color code: #CA0606)