As a geographical part of Thailand, Isan is the land of plentiful arts and rich culture. The historical and archeological evidences excavated at Ban Chiang, Udon Thani Province have brought Isan to the world attention as being an ancient and civilized land. As a cradle of world civilization, Isan has accumulated beliefs, arts, traditions, and folk knowledge. In 1970 a group of professors, students commenced culture surveys, taking pictures, interviewing people as well as collecting artifacts and fieldwork data for research reports, exhibitions and conservation of the Isan people’s ways of life and their culture.
The Faculty of Cultural Science began as a unit under the Research Institute of Northeastern Art and Culture (RINAC) and has now received full independent faculty status offering undergraduate and graduate (Master’s and Ph.D.) degree programs in Cultural Science.
The Faculty of Cultural Science, established in 2011, is the newest faculty of Mahasarakham University and the first faculty of Thailand to offer cultural science degree programs. The faculty aims to promote research activities, community services and application of local wisdom in natural resource conservation. The Faculty also emphasizes on the use and applications of indigenous knowledge,protection, conservation, restoration, development and dissemination of culture and traditions of Isan.