The Cabinet approved in principle the establishment of a provincial university in Nan by upgrading Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL) Nan to become a New Gen University model. This is to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the occasion of her 72nd birthday.
On 10 June 2026, Second Lieutenant Phatdarasmi Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, announced that the Cabinet agreed in principle to establish a higher education institution for Nan province, as proposed by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI). This involves upgrading Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna Nan (RMUTL Nan) to become the provincial higher education institution, honoring Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the auspicious occasion of her 72nd birthday on 2 April 2027. The Cabinet also approved an exemption from the previous resolution dated 6 December 2011, which restricted the establishment of new universities by merger or consolidation.
Second Lieutenant Phatdarasmi said RMUTL Nan has played an important role in continuously driving local resources, such as research and development of custard apples, wild yams, local fish, and indigenous chickens. Furthermore, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has long carried out royal duties in Nan province, including education, public health, culture, and social sectors. This upgrade thus continues the royal initiative and aims to improve the quality of life and environment for communities in the Upper Northern region toward balanced and sustainable growth.
The new provincial higher education institution in Nan will be designed as a New Generation University that breaks free from traditional frameworks, featuring four key characteristics: 1. It will be a university that the province depends on, with a new management style emphasizing flexible and agile administration that responds to global changes and social capital; 2. It will focus on learner-centered education, shifting the role of instructors from teachers to "facilitators" and "coaches," enabling learners to co-create knowledge through real experiences; 3. It will emphasize lifelong learning with short, credit-accumulating courses to promote upskilling and reskilling for people of all ages locally; and 4. It will aim to become a world-class innovation institution, focusing on research and innovation linked to local identity and wisdom for global advancement.
The Deputy Spokesperson added that regarding this approval in principle, the Budget Bureau explained it will not create a budget burden at present but will incur costs in the future once the institution is officially established. Relevant agencies will need to prepare budget plans and strictly comply with the State Fiscal Discipline Act B.E. 2561 (2018).