Welcoming a New Academic Journey: How CISTU Introduced the Class of 2026 Across Three Campuses

Beginning university is about more than attending the first class. It is the start of a new academic community, new friendships, and a new way of thinking about the world.

To welcome the Class of 2026, the College of Interdisciplinary Studies (CISTU), Thammasat University, organised orientation programmes across all three campuses—Tha Prachan, Rangsit, and Lampang—bringing together students from the College's growing family of interdisciplinary programmes.

While each campus reflected its own distinctive character, they shared a common purpose: helping new students feel that they belong, understand the values of the College, and begin their university journey with confidence.

Building a Community from Day One

Orientation at CISTU is designed to be more than an introduction to university regulations or academic procedures. Through conversations with faculty members, interactive activities, and opportunities to meet fellow students, participants were encouraged to build relationships, discover campus life, and develop a sense of community that extends beyond the classroom.

The programmes also reflected the strong support that students receive not only from CISTU, but from Thammasat University as a whole. The presence of the University's Rector alongside the CISTU executive team reaffirmed the University's commitment to creating an environment where students can thrive academically and personally from their very first days on campus.

Learning from Society's Leaders

Throughout the orientation, students had the opportunity to engage with distinguished guests whose experiences demonstrated the diverse pathways that interdisciplinary education can open.

The programmes featured conversations with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, representatives from the Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT), and CISTU alumni working across public service, business, and civil society.

Rather than simply introducing professions, these sessions illustrated how complex societal challenges increasingly require collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and institutions—an approach that lies at the heart of CISTU's educational philosophy.

A Growing Academic Community

This year's orientation also marked an important milestone as CISTU welcomed the inaugural cohort of students in the Bachelor of Science in Sustainability Management (SUMA).

Developed in collaboration with the Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT), SUMA reflects the College's continuing expansion into emerging fields where sustainability, business, technology, and public policy intersect. The arrival of its first students represents another step in CISTU's mission to prepare graduates for an increasingly interconnected world.

Looking Ahead

Orientation may last only a few days, but it establishes the foundation for the years that follow.

As CISTU continues to grow—through new programmes, international partnerships, and stronger engagement with industry and society—the College remains committed to creating an academic environment where students are supported from their first day, challenged throughout their studies, and prepared to contribute meaningfully beyond graduation.

We warmly welcome every member of the Class of 2026 to the CISTU community and look forward to seeing the journeys that begin here.