The College of Religious Studies realizes that as part
of Thai society it has a responsibility to work for social
development. The College has established cooperative
partnerships with many agencies, both governmental and
non-governmental, in the effort to contribute to the
wellbeing of the people and the nation.
The College recognizes that many primary and secondary
schools in rural areas, both secular and monastic, are
in need of competent teachers. Therefore it, in
collaboration with Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn’s
Office, has established an outreach program through which
dedicated graduates of the college, monks and laymen
alike, travel to these areas to serve as volunteers in
order to fill this need. This outreach program
encourages our graduates to embrace social responsibility
and the spirit of self-sacrifice for the welfare of others. Apart
from teaching, these graduates serve as counselors and
as friends, not only to the local students, but also
to the teachers and people in the community. They encourage
the disadvantaged students to have hope, and inspire
them to set goals in life beyond what they normally would
think possible.
In Thailand despite modernization, the monks in the
countryside still have an influential role to play in
management and development of the local communities.
Accordingly, The College works with monasteries, both
in urban and rural areas, in order to provide the monks
with the necessary knowledge that enables them to work
with greater effectiveness within the community. This
outreach program involves training in modern management,
the use of new technologies, community development, and
the practice of self-sufficiency economy. The College
also works with schools in the Bangkok metropolitan area
to equip the teachers with strategies of teaching religion
in a more attractive way for young people. This includes
teaching them to have knowledge of religions other than
Buddhism.
