มหาปชาบดีเถรีวิทยาลัย มหาวิทยาลัยมหามกุฏราชวิทยาลัย (Mahapajapati Buddhist College, Mahamakut Buddhist University)
เป็นวิทยาลัยที่เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของมหาวิทยาลัยมหามกุฏราชวิทยาลัย ปัจจุบันถือเป็นสถาบันอุดมศึกษาแห่งแรกและแห่งเดียวในประเทศไทย ที่รับเฉพาะนักศึกษาหญิงและแม่ชี วิทยาลัยแห่งนี้ ตั้งอยู่ที่เลขที่ 95 หมู่ 7 ตำบลภูหลวง อำเภอปักธงชัย จังหวัดนครราชสีมา อ่านต่อได้ที่ https://board.postjung.com/1534274
The only all-female college in Thailand for nuns and women, offering full scholarships until completion of the bachelor’s degree program.
Mahapajapati Buddhist College,Mahamakut Buddhist University Promote the project to “Empowering Women through Education: Equality, Peace, Life skills, Cooperative and Work Integrated Education and Spirit Cultivation”
According to the project: There are many minor research projects that related with the major project that is “Empowering Women through Education: Equality, peace, life skills and spirit cultivation (2017–Present)”
Empowering Women through Education: Equality, Peace, Life Skills, Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education, and Spiritual Cultivation
This initiative represents a transformative framework for advancing women’s education in the 21st century. It is grounded in Buddhist values and aims to cultivate holistic development by promoting equality, life and career skills, peacebuilding, cooperative and work-integrated education, and spiritual resilience. Developed and implemented by Mahapajapati Buddhist College (MBC), Thailand, the initiative has evolved in response to emerging societal needs, national development policies such as Thailand 4.0, global trends, and spiritual imperatives. It addresses both the local context and international expectations, aiming to produce well-rounded women graduates who contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
Since its official launch in 2017, the “Empowering Women through Education” initiative at Mahapajapati Buddhist College (MBC) has directly benefited more than 300 female students across Thailand, ASEAN countries (Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, Indonesia), and South Asia (India, Nepal, Bangladesh).
Age-disaggregated data:
- Ages 18–22 (undergraduate students): Approximately 90% of beneficiaries fall within this group, participating in full-time bachelor’s degree programs in Buddhist Education and English Communication.
- Ages 23–30 (late-entry or continuing learners): Around 10% of beneficiaries include women who resumed their education later in life, particularly those involved in community leadership or spiritual development.
Male engagement and gender-inclusive efforts:
While the primary focus remains on female empowerment, the project also includes gender-inclusive workshops, community engagement programs, and spiritual leadership training that involve approximately 150 male participants—including monks, teachers, and community leaders—who are trained to become allies in promoting gender equality, peacebuilding, and educational access for women.
These combined efforts reflect the initiative’s broader vision of transforming societal attitudes and fostering collaborative progress between genders, rooted in Buddhist values and principles of compassion and inclusivity.
The initiative at Mahapajapati Buddhist College (MBC) has not only contributed to educational advancement but has played a crucial role in transforming the lives of women, particularly those from war-torn regions or countries affected by social conflict. These women, often deprived of educational opportunities due to instability and violence, have found refuge and empowerment through the program.
Saving Lives from War and Societal Conflict:
For many women who have fled war zones or lived in areas suffering from prolonged conflict, this initiative has been a lifeline. These women, often denied access to education due to social upheaval, economic instability, and violent political environments, have been provided with an opportunity to rebuild their lives. The comprehensive support system—offering scholarships, free accommodation, and meals—ensures that they can focus on their education without the burden of basic survival concerns.
Feedback from participants from conflict-affected regions has revealed that the program has enabled them to escape cycles of violence and poverty, giving them a platform to develop new, peaceful, and productive futures. Through this program, they not only receive education but also spiritual guidance, which helps them recover from trauma and build resilience. The holistic approach ensures that women are not only educated in academic and professional skills but also in emotional and psychological resilience, enabling them to heal and thrive.
Developing Essential Life Skills for Peaceful Living:
The focus on life skills such as critical thinking, innovation, creativity, communication, and collaboration has been vital for women transitioning out of war zones or oppressive social structures. These competencies empower them to participate meaningfully in both the local and global workforce. In addition to technical skills, the integration of peacebuilding practices into the curriculum has equipped students with the tools to navigate conflict and promote harmony within their communities.
Participants in the New Challenging Program for 21st Century Women Education to Promote Peace and Harmony (NCPCWEPPH) have reported that the peace education aspect has been transformative. They learned how to engage with and resolve societal divisions, reduce tensions, and act as peace agents within their communities. Students have shared how these skills not only help them adapt to new environments but also enable them to mediate conflicts and build harmonious relationships across diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
Real-World Professional Experience and Integration:
The inclusion of Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education (CWIE) allowed many of these students to gain practical experience in real-world settings, which was often inaccessible in their home countries due to ongoing conflict. MBC’s collaborations with local and international industries have allowed students to develop professional networks and secure internships or jobs, providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities.
A key outcome of the CWIE model, especially for women from conflict-affected areas, has been the ability to transition from survivors of war to active contributors to economic growth and social cohesion. This real-world experience not only empowers women but also helps them secure careers that can sustain them and their families, offering hope and security.
Spiritual Growth for Resilience:
Incorporating Buddhist principles, the initiative nurtures the students’ spiritual growth, helping them build inner peace and moral clarity. This focus on spiritual resilience is essential for women who have lived through the trauma of war and social instability. Practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and ethical reflection help students manage stress, develop emotional intelligence, and foster a sense of inner strength. For many students, this spiritual grounding has been transformative, enabling them to overcome past trauma and approach life with a sense of calm and clarity. It has also given them the tools to act as peacebuilders in their communities, applying Buddhist values of compassion, non-violence, and mindfulness in their daily lives.
Impact and Monitoring:
The impact of this program has been profound, with many students from conflict-affected regions expressing that they feel empowered to rebuild their lives, contribute to their communities, and live peacefully. The Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education model has been crucial in providing students with career paths that were previously inaccessible due to the instability in their home countries.
Key findings from monitoring and evaluation show significant improvements in both academic outcomes and personal development. For instance, disaggregated data shows that women from war-impacted regions have reported an increase in their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as improvements in emotional resilience and interpersonal communication. Indicators such as graduation rates, employment success, and feedback on peacebuilding skills all show strong positive trends, highlighting the broader impact of the initiative. In summary, this initiative has not only empowered women through education but has also helped them rebuild their lives in the face of adversity. By equipping them with both the professional and life skills necessary for a peaceful, productive future, MBC has helped these women overcome the challenges of war and conflict, offering them the opportunity to thrive in a world that often seems divided and unstable.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
Data collection for evaluation has been comprehensive, using surveys, focus groups, and interviews with students, faculty, and community stakeholders. Disaggregated data highlights the impact of the initiative across various groups, including by gender, socioeconomic status, and geographic origin. Key indicators include:
- Graduation Rates: Increased graduation rates among women from underserved backgrounds.
- Employment Outcomes: 100% of participants secured internships or employment post-graduation, with 60% securing positions in international organizations.
- Participant Feedback: Over 90% of students reported significant improvement in life and career skills.
The monitoring system ensures ongoing improvements based on participant feedback and evolving educational needs, ensuring the initiative’s long-term sustainability and impact.