Established in 1917, Chulalongkorn University is the first institution for higher learning in Thailand.  In 2005 it ranked 121 out of 200 in the World University Ranking produced by the Times Higher Education Supplement, and ranks third in Southeast Asia.

The University has eighteen faculties and a number of schools, institutes and projects, which are engaged in teaching, research, and publication. It has approximately 2,950 academic staff members offering 30 international programmes, 344 major subjects in four main areas of study, namely, health sciences, science and technology, social sciences, and humanities, catering to a student population of approximately 27,000.

The university has modern and fully-equipped libraries, resource, and research centres, notably the Institute of Asian Studies, the Social Research Institute (http://www.cusri.chula.ac.th/), the Environmental Research Institute, and the Centre for Social Development Studies (CSDS).

The university is an active player on the national and international scene. Chulalongkorn frequently hosts world events, such as the International Symposium on Human Security in a Borderless World with the United Nations, and Bridges for International Dialogue toward Peace with the International Peace Foundation. The university also maintains connections with a wide range of universities, institutes, government agencies and non-governmental groups in Thailand and abroad.