The University Council when convened at meeting number 685, on 28 June 2007, agreed to establish the College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University. This establishment was a merger between the Institute of Health Research and the College of Public Health, Chulalongkorn University. The University then issued a University Regulation establishing the College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, on October 1, 2007.
The Institute of Health Research (IHR) was originally founded on 16 May 1974 with the rationale that “health research is extremely important and is necessary for the country's development and for academic progress on the university level. Therefore, in order that the study and the research in health can proceed well, it is deemed appropriate to establish the Institute of Health Research within Chulalongkorn University”. Since then, IHR has proceeded with planning and implementing research programs. The key framework of IHR operation was to link the components of teaching and learning, development for higher education students, and health research to address the key problems of the country and the region. Research includes field, laboratory, and multidisciplinary research. Currently, IHR conducts research in the following major areas:
- Research program in Substance Abuse, Alcohol, AIDS
- Research program in Malaria
- Research program in Human reproductive health
- Research program in Adolescent Health
- Research program in Environmental and Occupational Health
- Research program in Health Systems
- Research program in Herbal Product Development and Alternative Medicines
Owing to its strong research performance record, IHR has been accepted by WHO to serve as a WHO Center of Excellence, with an appointment to be a WHO Collaborating Center Representative (WHO CCR) in the following 2 areas: WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Drug Dependence, and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Public Health Development. Each of these CCRs serves as a regional reference resource and training center. These CCRs have established links with relevant faculties for graduate education in a variety of fields. They have also linked with the University Graduate School for three multidisciplinary curriculums, first was the Master of Science Program in Human Sexuality since the year 2002; second was the Master of Science Program in Research for Health Development (an international curriculum) since the year 2005; and last was the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Research for Health Development (an international curriculum) since the year 2005
The College of Public Health was originally founded on 27 December 1991 “to be the unit to develop knowledge of public health on higher education level with a collaboration with other educational institutes, both on campus and externally, so as to advance the College’s tasks with freedom and with flexibility in accordance to an international standard”. Ever since, the College has proceeded in teaching at the graduate level, and in public health-related research. The curriculums includes:
1. Graduate Diploma Program in Public Health (an international curriculum)
2. Master of Public Health Program in Health Systems Development (an international curriculum)
3. Doctor of Philosophy Program in Public Health (an international curriculum)
The majority of the College's students to date have come from countries outside Thailand, especially from the Asia-Pacific Region. Many of them have received financial support from donors such as WHO, TIGA, etc. Another key component of the College's efforts is to offer the Master’s degree in Health Systems Development in the Learning at the Work Place (LWP) Program. This important part of the University’s distance education project aims at developing executives who make and implement public health policy at the national, provincial, and local levels in Thailand.
In order to integrate the strengths of the IHR and the College of Public Health, to serve the purposes and the missions of the University, and to represent the University as a leader in public health academics nationally, regionally, and internationally, the University Council thus elected to merge the two units to become the College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University.
At present, the College has proceeded in teaching at the graduate level of the following curriculums:
1. Master of Public Health Program in Public Health (an international curriculum)
2. Doctor of Philosophy Program in Public Health (an international curriculum)
3. Master of Science Program in Public Health Sciences (an international curriculum)
4. Doctor of Philosophy Program in Public Health Sciences (an international curriculum)
