Kasetsart University

What Kasetsart University does

Kasetsart University (มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์) is Thailand's first public agricultural university, founded in 1943 under the Ministry of Agriculture and currently supervised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. It operates five campuses across Thailand — Bangkhen (Bangkok, the 1,400-rai main campus), Kamphaeng Saen, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province, Sriracha, and Suphan Buri — and is organized into 37 faculties spanning agriculture, natural resources, applied sciences, engineering, maritime studies, and social sciences. The university maintains a research portfolio of 61,022 projects managed through its Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI) and publishes through two journals (ANRES and KJSS), and it is currently ranked 5th among 42 Thai higher education institutions in the SCImago Institutions Rankings 2026.

The university's core product surface now includes the KU GenAI Platform (launched August 2025), which aggregates third-party large language models (ChatGPT o4-mini, Gemini 2.5 Pro, GPT DeepResearch v1) for student, faculty, and staff use across all campuses; KUMOOC, a free online lifelong-learning platform offering 25 courses; and digital sub-brands such as KU Digital Literacy, NisitKU, KULink, and the Language Testing Institute. Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining annual tuition fees for undergraduate and graduate programs (managed via the Kasetsart University International College for international students), research grants and contracts administered by KURDI, healthcare services via the developing Kasetsart University Hospital, and journal publishing. International industry partnerships — including Hutchison Ports Thailand, PTT LNG, MDPI, Marriott, AfricaRice, CAAS, Michigan State University, Brunel University London, and TICA — support technology transfer, student internships, executive mentorship, and applied research collaborations in agriculture, energy, maritime operations, and biotechnology. The university is currently in a leadership transition, with Asst. Prof. Dr. Khongsak Thiangtham nominated as its 16th President in April 2026.

Name

Kasetsart University

Legal name

มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์

Website

https://ku.ac.th

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Kasetsart University is Thailand's leading public agricultural university, founded in 1943, operating five campuses and 37 faculties that deliver undergraduate and graduate education, applied research (61,022 projects), and digital learning platforms to domestic and international students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Agricultural research
• Academic degree programs
• Lifelong learning courses
• University hospital services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangkok

HQ country

Thailand

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Educational Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate degree programs, exchange programs, and short courses. Fee schedules are publicly available at registrar.ku.ac.th with tuition fees published for various programs.
2. Research Grants and Contracts: Significant research funding through KURDI (Research and Development Institute) managing research projects, external funding, and internal research grants. The university has 61,022 research projects in its portfolio.
3. University Hospital and Healthcare Services: Development of Kasetsart University Hospital building with ongoing fundraising for construction, offering healthcare services to students and community.
4. Research Publications and Journals: Publishing through Kasetsart Journal (ANRES) and Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences (KJSS), with MoA with MDPI for academic collaboration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kasetsart University delivers higher education programs (undergraduate, graduate, and exchange) across 37 faculties, with a particular emphasis on agriculture, natural resources, and applied sciences. The university also conducts applied research and innovation through KURDI, publishes peer-reviewed journals, and operates online lifelong-learning courses via KUMOOC, plus ancillary services such as a planned university hospital and language testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KUMOOC: Online learning platform for lifelong learning
• KU Digital Literacy
• KU GenAI
• NisitKU
• Kasetsart University Language Testing Institute
• KULink
• KU International College (KUIC)

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Multi-year degree programs offered across 37 faculties at five campuses, designed for prospective undergraduate students seeking qualifications in agriculture, sciences, engineering, social sciences, and related disciplines.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master's and doctoral degree programs across multiple faculties, administered through grad.ku.ac.th with dedicated admissions processes.
• Exchange Programs (KUSEP and KUSS) Student Exchange Program (KUSEP) and Short Session (KUSS) offerings that host exchange/visiting students from partner universities worldwide, administered by KUIC.
• KUMOOC Online Learning Platform Free online learning platform offering 25 lifelong-learning courses with completion certificates, accessible globally to the general public via kumooc.ku.th.
• KU GenAI Platform AI-powered internal platform that aggregates leading LLMs (ChatGPT, Gemini) on a single interface with data privacy protection for students, faculty, and staff, including general chat, research chat, and deep research capabilities.
• Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI) University research institute managing 61,022 research projects, administering research awards, publications, research stations, and technology transfer services for academic and industry partners.
• Kasetsart University Hospital (under development) University-affiliated healthcare facility under construction, intended to provide healthcare services to students and the surrounding community once operational.
• Kasetsart Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANRES) Peer-reviewed academic journal in agriculture and natural resources published by Kasetsart University, with an MoA signed with MDPI in October 2024 for academic publishing collaboration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 61,022 research projects in research portfolio
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Hutchison Ports Thailand (HPT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2026Terminal operator Hutchison Ports Thailand has signed a renewed Memorandum of Agreement with Kasetsart University's Faculty of International Maritime Studies, extending their academic partnership for a third consecutive three-year term through June 2029. The collaboration utilizes HPT's deep-water container terminals at Laem Chabang Port as a live learning laboratory, providing students with operational site visits, executive mentorship, and structured internships. The partnership incorporates environmental initiatives including tree-planting campaigns and reforestation efforts under the 'Go Beyond Go Green' sustainability program.
• Thailand's International Cooperative Agency (TICA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2026TICA and Kasetsart University officials visited Federal Cooperative College in Oji River, Enugu State, Nigeria, to establish Thai-Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Technology Learning Centre focused on aquaculture and sustainable agriculture. Part of Thailand's Africa Initiative (TAI) identifying Nigeria as priority country. Centre would train at least 100 students annually.
• PTT LNGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026Partnership with PTT LNG for Thailand's first Atlantic salmon farming research project using recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology. Project utilizes cold energy derived from LNG processes with 20,000 Atlantic salmon eggs imported from Chile to study commercial viability for domestic production.
• Brunel University LondonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Researchers from Kasetsart University and Brunel University London developed a data-driven fuzzy logic controller for Hybrid Geothermal Heat Pump systems validated through MATLAB Simulink simulations using operational data from an actual HGHP installation at Kasetsart University.
• Japanese Research InstitutionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Molecular study on tick-borne protozoa in beef cattle along the Thai-Myanmar border in Kanchanaburi Province. Research found 51.3% of cattle positive for Babesia or Theileria DNA with findings published in MDPI.
• Dibrugarh UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Dibrugarh University in India signed an MoU with Kasetsart University's REAL ENTO to enhance joint research, academic programs, and scientific cooperation in life sciences and entomology. The agreement was signed as part of India's PM USHA program.
• AfricaRicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2025AfricaRice and Kasetsart University have signed an MoU to collaborate on advancing rice research, innovation, and food security in Africa. The partnership focuses on developing climate-resilient rice varieties, improving nutrition, deploying mechanization technologies, and capacity building for African stakeholders.
• MDPIminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2024Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Agreement on Academic and Research Collaboration between Kasetsart University and MDPI for academic publishing and research collaboration.
• Thuyloi University (TLU), VietnamminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2024Academic discussions with Vietnam's leading water resources university founded in 1959 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Visit to explore cooperation opportunities in training, science and technology, and exchange of lecturers and students.
• The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 2024MoU signing ceremony titled 'Memorandum of Understanding for Strengthening the Collaboration Based on The Joint Laboratory on Food Legume Research.' Since 1985, the institutions have collaborated including sending researchers to train at the World Vegetable Center. This led to the establishment of the Joint Laboratory of Legume Crops at Kasetsart University's Kamphaeng Saen campus. CAAS consists of 34 research institutes specializing in crop science, animal husbandry, biotechnology, and agricultural economics.
• Michigan State University (MSU) Asia HubflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2024Academic discussions between Kasetsart University and the Asia Hub of Michigan State University. Dr. Jiaquo Qi, Director of the Asia Hub, expressed interest in establishing an Asia Hub in Thailand and invited KU administrators to participate in the Asia Hub Annual Meeting 2024 and CIAERA from November 12-15, 2024 in Chiang Mai. The Asia Hub is a platform initiated by MSU and Nanjing Agricultural University with cooperation from over 30 universities in Asia.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chulalongkorn University: Thailand's top-ranked public research university and the most direct domestic competitor for talent, research funding, and international students. Both operate as multi-campus Thai public universities competing for the same SCImago and global rankings.
• Chiang Mai University: Public research university in northern Thailand with comparable scale, multi-faculty structure, and research focus areas including agriculture. Overlaps directly with KU in agriculture research and northern regional student recruitment.
• Khon Kaen University: Public regional research university with strong agriculture and health sciences profile. Most directly comparable Thai peer in terms of agriculture-centered research identity and applied-science mandate.
• Mahidol University: Major Thai public research university with strong international positioning, particularly in medicine and sciences. Competes with KU for faculty, research grants, and cross-border partnerships across Southeast Asia.
• Prince of Songkla University: Major Thai public research university serving southern Thailand with comparable multi-campus model. Competes with KU in agriculture, engineering, and life sciences research output.
• Thammasat University: Leading Thai public university with multi-campus operations and strong social sciences/law identity. Comparable as a scaled public Thai university competing for the same national ranking tier and student pool.
• King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT): Thai public technology-focused research university. Comparable as a top-tier Thai public research institution competing for engineering and applied-science faculty, students, and industry research contracts.

Regional players

• National Taiwan University (NTU): Asia-leading public research university with active collaboration with KU on biodiesel microreactor research. Comparable in research scale and agriculture/engineering portfolio, though operating in a different geography with materially larger resources.
• University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB): Southeast Asian public research university with agriculture-centered identity, the closest regional peer in terms of mandate and research portfolio. Comparable as a national agriculture flagship university but does not directly compete in the same geography.
• Asian Institute of Technology (AIT): Thailand-based international research and graduate institution with applied sciences and engineering focus. Comparable as a regionally focused, English-language, research-intensive institution operating in Thailand and competing for international graduate students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1Lx-uL4ln8JXEdTDxep7GA
• TikToktiktok.com/@kasetsartu?_r=1&_t=ZS-97IwXBdkZ6q
• Xx.com/KasetsartU

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kasetsart University