A new initiative of national importance

Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) is the first fully autonomous state university of Thailand and the second newest of the state universities of the country. It occupies an area of approximately 2,800 acres in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, the industrial center for northeastern Thailand, some 250 kilometers from Bangkok. It emerged in July 1990 as a specialized university with science and technology as academic areas of emphasis and with a number of higher education administrative initiatives. It began offering undergraduate instruction with eight bachelor's degree programs in May 1993. Unlike the existing 19 state universities at the time of its establishment, it is external to the organizational and administrative set-up of the government and, hence, operates under its own systems of governance and administration. The statement of its missions and objectives specifically includes technology development and transfer, effective lessening of the critical shortage of high-quality manpower in science and technology in the country, extensive redistribution of opportunities for higher education, internationalization of curricular and training programs and strong linkage and mutually reinforcing partnership with the private sector.

SUT operates under the management principle of centralized and shared responsibilities for efficiency. It intends to be a technology-based university and adheres to the basic concept of technology for development in curricular program planning and implementation. It advocates the development of desirable human qualities, provision of a strong scientific foundation and the integration of co-operative education for first-hand work experience. It also promotes the systems and multi-disciplinary approach to teaching and learning, as well as media-based instruction as essential features of each curricular program.

The initial degree-granting units of SUT are the Institute of Social Technology (with four schools and one research department), the Insitute of Science (with six schools and one research department), the Institute of Industrial Technology (with eight schools and one research department) and the Institute of Resource Technology (with four schools and one research department). The establishment of the Institute of Health Sciences, with initial enrolment of students in 1995, has also been approved recently. In 1994, a graduate program and an international undergraduate program will begin and the number of regular undergraduate programs will rise to 14. The present student population of 731 will increase to 2170 in 1994, i.e., 1990 in the regular undergraduate programs and 120 in the international programs, and 60 in the graduate program.

Aside from the degree-granting Institutes, the present primary organizational units of SUT include the Research and Development Institute, the Library

Resources and Educational Media Center, the Educational Service Center, the Computer Center, the Scientific and Technological Equipment Center and the Technical Service Center.

Internationalization of academic programs is an innovative feature of Thai higher education that SUT has chosen to emphasize from the very beginning of its operation. It has entered into an agreement with four-leading Canadian universities, namely Ryerson Polytechnic University, Technical University of Nova Scotia, University of Guelph and University of Waterloo, to implement a six-year technical cooperation project starting July 1993, with joint offering of undergraduate and Ph.D. degree programs in some fields of study in Engineering and Agricultural Technology. Exploration of possibilities for similar cooperation with other leading universities outside Thailand have also been among its agenda items of high priority.

SUT attaches special importance to research as an essential role of its faculty members. Thus, in addition to the research department in each degree-granting institute, there is a research and development institute of the university to administer research policies and coordinate inter-institute research activities.

Moreover, the Technopolis, the venue of the Thailand World Agricultural and Industrial Exposition 1995 (WORLDTECH '95 THAILAND), is being built on the SUT campus by the Government of Thailand and will be turned over to SUT upon the conclusion of the exposition. This Technopolis and its facilities will also serve as an effective research mechanism for meaningful co-operative undertakings with industries for technology development and transfer.

WORLDTECH'95 THAILAND is a unique international showcase of state-of-the-art technology, organized by the Royal Thai Government as part of its economic and technological development policies. The event, taking place during November-December 1995, offers businesses an outstanding opportunity to display new products and advanced technologies and make important commercial contacts. WORLDTECH'95 THAILAND will also include a wide variety of academic seminars and conferences on topics ranging from genetic engineering to robotic technology. In addition, daily entertainment by renowned performers, cultural events and numerous amusements will make WORLDTECH'95 THAILAND the biggest event of its kind ever in Southeast Asia.

For further information, please contact: 

     For SUT: President
              Suranaree University of Technology
              111 University road, Muang District
              Nakhornratchasima 30000, Thailand
              Tel.: +66 44 254-843 or 256-376
              Fax:  +66 44 254-843
and for information about WORLDTECH'95 THAILAND: 
        Chairman of Organizing Committee
        WORLDTECH'95 THAILAND Office
        11th Floor, Thansetthakij Building
        222 Vipavadee Road, Bangkok 10900 
        Thailand
        Tel.: +66 2 513-9894/7
        Fax:  +66 2 513-9834

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