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Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Thailand’s first public autonomous university, was officially established on July 27, 1990, in Nakhon Ratchasima. It began in 1984 as Suranaree College under Khon Kaen University, part of a national effort to expand higher education in regional areas. Located on 7,000 rai of degraded forest near the Huay Ban Yang Reservoir, the college was upgraded to university status in 1988. Its first president, Professor Dr. Wichit Srisaarn, led the development of the campus and academic systems, and the first students arrived in 1993.
Today, SUT offers programs in science and technology, health sciences, social sciences, and humanities through eight academic schools and one affiliated institute. As of 2020, it serves more than 17,000 students across 49 undergraduate, 36 master’s, and 29 doctoral programs. Over 80 percent of its faculty members hold doctoral degrees, the highest proportion in the country, and the university ranks first nationwide in research output per faculty member. It has earned consistent recognition for academic and research quality, including being named the top public university in its category in 2009.
SUT is especially known for its strengths in physics, chemistry, food technology, mathematics, ceramic engineering, and animal production. Its Cooperative Education program, which places students in industry for hands-on learning, has been highly successful. In 2012, the World Association for Cooperative Education named SUT its Asia Pacific regional office.
With its autonomous governance, SUT manages personnel, budget, and policy with flexibility. Its centralized services and coordinated mission approach ensures efficient operations. The university partners with industry and prioritizes sustainability. In 2018, it established the Plant Genetic Conservation Center under the royal patronage of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
SUT is ranked among the top 800 universities worldwide and second in Thailand in the Nature Index. It consistently ranks among the top ten Thai universities for online academic presence, and 96 percent of its graduates are employed or pursue further education. As the youngest of Thailand’s National Research Universities, SUT remains a national leader in research, innovation, and sustainable development.