Center of Latin American Studies

History

Since the establishment of the Spanish Section in 1965 and the Portuguese Section in 1990, the Faculty of Arts at Chulalongkorn University has emerged as a pioneering bastion of knowledge regarding Spanish and Portuguese-speaking nations, encompassing language, culture, and society. This distinction is underscored by the substantial enrollment of students majoring in Spanish and minoring in Portuguese. These academic pursuits stem from Spanish’s designation as one of the official languages of the United Nations, boasting a global speaker base of over 500 million individuals, particularly across 19 Latin American countries. Likewise, Portuguese serves as the official language of Brazil, the largest country in terms of both area and population in South America.

In 2002, the Faculty of Arts established the Center for Latin American Studies, with the aim of conducting studies, research, and diverse cultural activities involving Latin American countries within Thailand. This Center is regarded as the first of its kind within the Thai educational landscape.

Mission

1. Disseminating and fostering awareness of Latin American cultures within Thai society.
2. Conducting research to cultivate a contemporary and critical knowledge repository on the languages and cultures of Latin America.
3. Facilitating exchange programs involving students and faculty from the Spanish and Portuguese Sections with universities in Latin America that have signed MOU with Chulalongkorn University.

Vision

The Center of Latin American Studies at Chulalongkorn University as aspires to be a pioneering hub of interdisciplinary scholarship. We are dedicated to fostering an in-depth comprehension of the multifaceted dimensions inherent to the Latin American region and Thailand. Our aim is to evolve as a leading institution championing scholarly endeavors, cultural exploration, and societal engagement, thereby facilitating a nuanced understanding of the intricate tapestry of Latin American nations. We strive to serve as a premier nexus of academic inquiry, cultivating global perspectives and promoting transcultural dialogues that transcend borders.

Values

At the heart of the Center of Latin American Studies lie our core values, which guide our academic pursuits and engagements:

• Scholarly Excellence: We are deeply committed to upholding rigorous academic standards, fostering a culture of critical inquiry and producing insightful research that contributes substantively to the field of Latin American studies.
• Cultural Appreciation: We celebrate the richness and diversity of cultures within Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, including those of Afro-Indigenous languages and communities, particularly through our cultural and academic collaborations alongside Latin American embassies in Thailand. We firmly believe in the transformative potential of cultural appreciation, serving to bridge divides, foster empathy, and cultivate a community of global citizens attuned to the intricacies of our interconnected world.
• Global Engagement: We are committed to fostering global engagement by facilitating transnational and transcultural exchange programs. Our efforts to establish partnerships with universities in Latin America underscore our dedication to promoting meaningful interactions among students and faculty, enriching the educational experience and broadening horizons.
• International Research Networks: The establishment and fostering of international research networks between Latin American countries, other Latin American centers and institutions of research around the world, and Thailand hold paramount significance. These networks serve as conduits for the exchange of knowledge, perspectives, and insights across diverse cultural landscapes, enabling collaborative research initiatives that address global challenges and advance our collective understanding of our complex socio-cultural dynamics.

Our staff