History and heritage

1956

In 1956, Phra Nakorn home Science School offered ‘ Educational Certificate in Home Economics’ and was considered the first institute to offer this curriculum. In the mean time, the school also offered various training courses such as Home Science Teacher Training course, Kindergarten Teacher Training course, Elementary School Teacher Training course and Home Sciences for Secondary School Teacher Training course.

1958

In 1958, the Educational Certificate course and Higher Educational Certificate course were continuously offered till 1961. The Ministry of Education announced the promotion of ‘Phra Nakorn Home Science School’ into the college and changed its name to ‘Suan Dusit Teacher College’, which was under Teaching Training division, Teacher Training Department.

1975

The Teacher College Act ( Issue 1) was enforced in 1975 and as a result, Teacher Training Department improved the curriculum to be in accordance with The National Economic and Social Development Plan. The curriculum was the Teacher Training curriculum 1976, which was belonged to Teacher Training Council. This led to the commencing of the graduate level. Apart from that, the La-or Utis Kindergarten was united with kindergarten teacher training course under Early Childhood Education Department, Faculty of Education, Suan Dusit Teacher College. The name of La-or Utis Kindergarten was changed to La-or Utis Demonstration Kindergarten School. Besides, Bachelor of Education majoring in Early Childhood Education was firstly launched. Due to the issuing of The Teacher College Act (Issue 1)1975, Teacher College had the structural modification, both in term of administration and academic issues. For the administration issue, the position of headmaster was changed into ‘The president’. Moreover, other administrative positions were changed. The college turned into the government section composing of the president, vice president for administrative, vice president for academic, vice president for student affairs and office of the president which had 12 divisions. As for academic issue, there were three faculties, which are Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (11 departments), Faculty of Education (7 departments) and Faculty of Sciences (9 departments). With these changes, the college had more constructions and refurbishment of the buildings so that they could be offices and classrooms. Although the administrative and academic structure had changed, Suan Dusit Teacher College still offered only one realm, specifically, education. According to the curriculum of Teacher Training Council, Three levels of education were presented; Educational Certificate, Higher Educational Certificate, four years bachelor degree and two year associate bachelor degree (Bachelor of Education). There were 11 majors, namely, Thai language, English language, Social Science, General Science, Home Economics, Art Education, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Industrial Art, and Mathematics.

1985

In 1985, after the adjustment of The Teacher College Act (issue1) B.E. 2518 (1975) into The Teacher College Act (issue2) B.E. 2527 (1984), the Teacher College could be able to offer other courses apart from education ones. Suan Dusit Teacher College commenced the Diploma level in other academic areas. Diploma of Liberal Arts was launched. Three realms were offered, to be exact; Journalism and Public Relations, English and Visual Communication. There were three majors for Diploma of Sciences. Three realms were offered, namely, Food, Clothes and Costume and Art of Crafting. Besides, this year was the first year that the college allowed male students to apply for the courses.

1986-1991

During 1986- 1991, Suan Dusit Teacher College offered more of the Bachelor of Sciences and Liberal Arts curriculum , and in both four years Bachelor degree and the two years associate degree.

The Education for People of all Occupations Project’ was firstly initiated in 1986 offering the Diploma and Bachelor degree in Education and other academic programs.

1992

In 1992, His Majesty the King graciously conferred the title “Rajabhat Institute” to all Teacher Colleges.

1995

The Rajabhat Institute Act 1995 was declared in the same year. Thus, the name ‘Suan Dusit Teacher College’ was changed into ‘Suan Dusit Rajabhat Institute’ and was under Office of Rajabhat Council, Ministry of Education. According to this Act, Suan Dusit Rajabhat Institute could offer wider ranges of courses. Many realms were offered such as Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences. The public paid high attention and applied for these courses, both general students and people of all occupations. Moreover, Suan Dusit Institute incorporated with external organization to distribute academic opportunities by setting 3 campuses outside the institute, namely, Supersave Campus, The Government Pharmaceutical Organization campus and Atthawit campus. These campuses offered the diploma and bachelor degree both in office hours and out of office hours.

1997

In 1997, The Graduate School was established offering the Master of Business Administration with the corporation of Victoria University, Canada. Besides, more of campuses were set up (Jaransanitwong campus, Pongsawat campus and Sukothai campus). The institute used up a large sum of budget in developing the information technology system for learning, database for video -conference learning and virtual library. It is considered that Suan Dusit Institute was the first higher education institute with the flawless information technology system in Thailand.

1998-2003

During 1998-2003, Suan Dusit Rajabhat Institute expanded extensively in term of offering more variety of academic courses and opening more campuses both in Bangkok and other provinces ( Dusit Panitchayakarn campus, Central Pinklao campus, Imperial Bangna campus, Nakornnayok campus, Prajeenburi campus, Thanalongkorn campus, Boosayamas campus, Siam Panitchayakarn campus, Nakonpatom campus, Chonburi campus, Pattaya campus, Saraburi campus, Payao campus, Lampang campus, Ranong 2 campus, Pitsanulok campus, Trang campus, Lumpini campus and Hua-Hin campus) due to the fact that there were a great number of people desired to take academic courses in the institute but the institute was in the renovation and construction period at that moment. In regard to the graduate level, the institute offered both Master degree (Master of Education, Master of Public Administration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Communication Arts), and doctorate degree (Doctor of Management).

2004

‘Suan Dusit Rajabhat Institute’ was changed the status from ‘Institute’ into ‘University’ following the Rajabhat University Act B.E. 2547 (2004) on 15 June 2004. The name was also changed into ‘Suan Dusit Rajabhat University’ and was under The Commission on Higher Education, Ministry of Education.

2005-2008

During 2005- 2008, According to Rajabhat University Act 2004, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University adjusted the administration structure and academic management. Besides, the educational and government system reformation led the university to determine the Strategic Plan for 2006- 2008.

Suan Dusit Rajabhat University is among the universities which emphasize on generating qualified human resources and developing society by offering varieties of courses in every level and other academic affairs both in the university itself and in campuses which situate in Bangkok and countrywide. The identities of Suan Dusit Rajabhat University are determined by primary expertises, which have been accepted in both national and international level, as well as the competence to response the need of local and society. Four identities of the university are;

• Childhood Education
• Food Industry
• Service Industry
• Nursing Science

2009-2013

Suan Dusit Rajabhat University has laid out development guidelines as detailed below:

1. Establish new sectors according to the announcement of the University Council. These new sectors will be added to the existing structure of the university following ministerial regulations in regard to division of government agencies. Such establishment complies with the Second 15-Year Long Range Plan on Higher Education (2008-2022) as well as the university’s policies, which focus on the structural development of key sectors in accordance with mission and management efficiency.
2. Each sector must operate with an emphasis on achieving quality and the overall compliance with the university strategic plan.
3. Determine the university’s identity, which is comprised of the following four realms (the university positions itself as a specialized institute focusing on the undergraduate education.)

• Childhood Education
• Food Industry
• Service Industry
• Nursing Science

4. Ensure that the university’s education management has been developed in line with the National Education Standards as well as the Higher Education Standards and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
5. Alter the university’s philosophy and strategy from being a university that realizes the importance of organizational survival to a university capable of bolstering survivability.