SDG 10
Reduced Inequality
Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL) | Sustainability Report 2025
SDG 10 Highlights 2025
In 2025, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL) continued to promote equal educational opportunities, social inclusion, and student well-being through disability support services, inclusive educational policies, and measures to prevent intimidation and discrimination. The university emphasized accessible learning environments, individualized student assistance, and institutional accountability to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds could participate in university life with dignity and equal opportunities.
Promoting Equal Access to Higher Education for Students with Disabilities. RMUTL maintained its institutional admission policy for students with disabilities and continued providing support through the Disabilities Support and Services (DSS) Center. Established in 2017, the center offers physical accessibility improvements, academic accommodations, and psychological and social support. Services include accessible facilities, adapted learning materials, additional examination time, volunteer note-takers, sign language interpreters, and individualized support plans. These measures help reduce barriers to higher education and promote an inclusive learning environment.
Strengthening Academic Support and Educational Opportunities. On July 14, 2025, RMUTL organized a preparation seminar for students with disabilities, bringing together students, parents, faculty members, and support staff. The seminar provided guidance on inclusive educational services, encouraged discussions on learning challenges and appropriate support measures, and introduced employment opportunities for students with disabilities during their studies. Participants also received assistance with DSS service registration and applications for educational grants for the first semester of academic year 2025. The initiative strengthened cooperation among students, families, and university personnel to support educational participation and student well-being.
Promoting Student Rights, Safety, and Equal Treatment. In July 2025, RMUTL strengthened its measures to prevent inappropriate student orientation activities, intimidation, and coercion. On July 31, RMUTL Chiang Rai Campus announced the permanent termination of hierarchy-based orientation and hazing practices. Following reported misconduct, the university established an investigation and follow-up process, implemented disciplinary measures, and maintained confidential complaint channels for students. These actions reinforced institutional accountability, protected students’ rights, and promoted a safer and more respectful university environment.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate RMUTL’s commitment to reducing inequalities through accessible education, individualized support, student protection, and inclusive institutional practices. By strengthening support for students with disabilities and promoting equal treatment, the university contributes to a learning environment in which students can develop their potential, participate fully in academic life, and pursue their educational goals without unnecessary barriers.
RMUTL Provides Standing Admission Policy
Support Services for Students with Disabilities
RMUTL recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to equal access to higher education. Under its 2012 policy on admitting students with disabilities, issued in line with the Education for Persons with Disabilities Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and the related higher-education regulation of 2009, the university announces admission of students with disabilities each academic year. Since 2017, the Disabilities Support and Services (DSS) Center under the Student Development Division has provided services tailored to each student’s needs, in three areas:
- Physical support: wheelchair ramps, ramps linking buildings, accessible lifts, accessible seating in teaching spaces, adapted toilets, and adapted teaching equipment.
- Academic support: individual service plans, including extra examination time, course materials in accessible formats (such as audio and digital files that work with assistive software), volunteer note-takers, and sign language interpreters.
- Psychological and social support: psychological counselling and a welcoming environment that encourages participation in university life.
These services reduce barriers to learning and promote a university community in which students with and without disabilities study together.
RMUTL Holds Preparation Seminar for Students with Disabilities
for the 2025 Academic Year
On 14 July 2025, the Disability Services and Support Section of the Student Development Division held the “Preparation Seminar for Students with Disabilities, Academic Year 2025” at RMUTL. The seminar brought together lecturers, staff, parents, and students with disabilities.
In the morning session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ratchaneekorn Thongsukdee, adjunct lecturer in special education at Chiang Mai University, lectured on “Working with Students with Disabilities and Providing Educational Services.” In the afternoon session, lecturers, parents, DSS staff, and students with disabilities exchanged views on the problems and obstacles that students face in their studies and on ways to solve them. Participants also received information about programs that support employment during study for students with disabilities, and students completed the documents for DSS services and for the education grant for students with disabilities for semester 1 of the 2025 academic year.
RMUTL Chiang Rai Permanently Ends Hierarchy-Based Orientation Practices and Strengthens Accountability
On 31 July 2025, RMUTL Chiang Rai Campus announced on its official Facebook page that all new-student orientation (“hazing”) activities, on and off campus, were stopped with immediate effect and ended permanently, regardless of the name, venue, or time of the activity. The campus took this step in response to a report of intimidation and coercive behavior by senior students toward first-year students, received through the reporting channel of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).
After receiving a letter from MHESI on 1 August 2025, the university set up an investigation and follow-up committee, which met on 14 August 2025. The senior students involved received a formal warning and were assigned community service under a written order. The university also keeps complaint channels open: students can report directly to executives and discipline officers through the university’s official page or an online form, with access to submissions restricted to protect complainants, in line with MHESI’s channel. These measures protect first-year students from intimidation and coercion and give every student a safe way to report misconduct. Separately, on 1 July 2025, RMUTL published an official announcement on receiving reports of inappropriate orientation and cheer-meeting activities.
By ending hierarchy-based orientation practices, holding those responsible to account, keeping channels open for complaints, and supporting scholarship students and the staff who care for them, RMUTL works to ensure that every student is treated with equal dignity and has the support needed to succeed.
RMUTL Supports Scholarship Students under the Royal Patronage Program
On 23 March 2026, RMUTL’s Student Development Division hosted the Chiang Mai Provincial Red Cross Chapter on its visit to students receiving educational scholarships under the Royal Patronage program for fiscal year 2026. The visit monitored the students’ academic progress, conduct, and use of scholarship funds, and gave them advice and encouragement so that they can continue their studies and develop to their full potential. RMUTL has four students under the program, studying across several faculties. The university also invites other students to apply for scholarships from internal and external sources through its Student Activities and Services Section, supporting access to education for all.
Moving Forward
Advancing Inclusive Education and Equal Opportunities for All
RMUTL aims to strengthen its commitment to reducing inequalities by developing a more inclusive, accessible, and supportive university environment. Building on its existing disability support services, student protection measures, and institutional policies, the university will focus on improving equitable access to education, strengthening student well-being, and ensuring that all students have opportunities to succeed regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances or individual needs.
1. Strengthening Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Support. RMUTL will continue improving physical accessibility, learning facilities, assistive technologies, and academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Greater emphasis will be placed on individualized support plans, accessible educational resources, and the professional development of faculty and support staff to ensure that students can participate fully in academic activities.
2. Expanding Educational and Financial Support for Disadvantaged Students. The university will strengthen coordination among student support services, scholarship providers, and external partners to expand access to financial assistance, academic guidance, and employment opportunities during study. These efforts will help reduce barriers faced by students with disabilities and those from economically disadvantaged or underserved backgrounds, supporting their continued enrollment and successful completion of studies.
3. Promoting Student Rights, Safety, and Inclusive Campus Culture. RMUTL will reinforce measures to prevent intimidation, harassment, discrimination, and inappropriate orientation practices across its campuses. The university will promote awareness of student rights, strengthen accessible and confidential complaint mechanisms, and encourage respectful participation in university activities. These initiatives will support a safe and inclusive environment in which students are treated with dignity and fairness.
4. Strengthening Monitoring and Long-Term Educational Outcomes. RMUTL will seek to improve the monitoring of educational accessibility, student support services, retention, graduation, and employment outcomes among disadvantaged student groups. Student feedback and institutional data will help identify remaining barriers, assess the effectiveness of support measures, and guide continuous improvements in university policies and services.
Through these priorities, RMUTL seeks to develop a more inclusive and sustainable educational support system that promotes equal opportunities, protects student rights, and strengthens long-term educational outcomes. By integrating accessible learning environments, targeted assistance, institutional accountability, and student-centered services, the university aims to reduce inequalities and enable students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their full potential.