Chulalongkorn Rural Scholarship Program Honors Fallen Alumnus
Chulalongkorn University honors the memory of Hlun Solo, a prominent YouTuber and Class of 1971 alumnus who died while traveling in Georgia, by highlighting the rural scholarship program that gave him his university opportunity. The program
The death of Bavortthat Pengsuk, known as Hlun Solo, a Class of 71 political science graduate from Chulalongkorn University and prominent Thai YouTuber, while traveling in Georgia to film travel content from sociological and anthropological perspectives, has drawn significant public attention.
His personal history shows he was an excellent student with strong aspirations for self-improvement and personal development who successfully qualified for admission through the Chulalongkorn-Rural Scholarship Program as a Class 37 fellow, realizing his dreams.
The Chulalongkorn-Rural Program was initiated by the late Rector Prof. Dr. Kasem Suwannakul to provide higher education opportunities at Chulalongkorn University to high school graduates who otherwise lacked the financial means to study alongside regular students. Prof. Dr. Manu Viraborusat, the Academic Vice-Rector at that time, oversaw establishment of the "Chulalongkorn-Rural Unit" to administer the program. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Grich Supsandi, a faculty member from the School of Journalism, served as the unit's first director.
The program began accepting high-achieving students from economically disadvantaged families who could not afford university education in 1982, covering those who met entrance exam criteria and passed selection. Full scholarships were awarded covering tuition, accommodation, and personal expenses. The first cohort consisted of 41 students selected from Eastern and Northeastern provinces. The program has since expanded to accept students from target areas across various faculties at Chulalongkorn University.
The program's early years faced considerable challenges and obstacles, but efforts focused on establishing a solid foundation aimed at creating educational opportunities and providing life capital for qualified rural students. The process included recruitment drives and examinations held in different provinces. Once results were released, the program committee would visit students' hometowns to personally assess their family circumstances.
Chulalongkorn University has since elevated the Chulalongkorn-Rural Unit to the status of Chulalongkorn-Rural Center, providing educational opportunities to more than 170 rural students annually. To date, the program has supported 44 cohorts and has graduated over 1,500 successful professionals serving in government, state enterprises, and the private sector, many holding recognized and prominent positions in their respective organizations.
Applications are accepted approximately August to September each year. Information is sent to schools in target areas, and recruitment is announced through the website http://www.rural.chula.ac.th. The university hopes the Chulalongkorn-Rural Program will continue fulfilling its mission to expand educational opportunities and support high-achieving, economically disadvantaged youth across all academic disciplines.
