Thammasat University (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์; rtgs: Mahawitthayalai Thammasat; IPA: [tʰāmmásàːt]) (TU) (Thai: มธ.), is Thailand's second oldest institute of higher education. Officially established to be the national university of Thailand on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by its founder, Pridi Banomyong, the University of Moral and Political Sciences (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยวิชาธรรมศาสตร์และการเมือง; rtgs: Mahawitthayalai Wicha Thammasat Lae Kanmueang), reflecting the political fervor of Thailand. It started as an open university, with 7,094 students enrolled in its first academic year studying law and politics. The guiding philosophy of the university was "to teach students to love and cherish democracy". In 1952, the university's name was shortened to its present one by the military junta of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram who also became the first rector of the university. Nevertheless, Thammasat University has always been involved in the politics of Thailand, counting most Thai political leaders among its graduates.