Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology

SIIT Facts & History

SIRINDHORN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY

During the 9th Japan-Thailand Joint Trade and Economic Committee Meeting held in Kobe, Japan in 1989, the delegates from the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren – now Nippon Keidanren) and the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) realized that in order to enhance industrial development of Thailand, engineering programs, where all lecture and laboratory courses would be taught in English by highly qualified faculty members with doctoral degrees, needed to be established.

A cooperation agreement among Keidanren, FTI, and Thammasat University was reached in 1992 to establish bachelor’s degree programs in engineering at Thammasat University with initial funds provided by Keidanren and FTI. After two years of successful operation, the “International Institute of Technology (IIT)” was founded on September 16, 1994. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the Cornerstone Laying Ceremony of a new building at the Rangsit Center of Thammasat University. His Majesty, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, graciously granted the Institute a new name, “Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT),” on June 28, 1996.

On October 2, 1997, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology’s Inauguration Ceremony of its name and building. In 1999, FTI provided a parcel of land with an existing building at Bangkadi Industrial Park (BKD) for SIIT’s use for 30 years. In June 2001, the former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun inaugurated a new building at Bangkadi for Information Technology and Computer Science programs.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the inauguration of the Sirindhralai Building at Bangkadi on June 28, 2006. This new six-story building houses the School of Information, Computer, and Communication Technology (ICT), the School of Management Technology (MT), a library, a computer center, laboratories, and classrooms.

Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT) offers undergraduate and graduate programs which lead to the Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. The bachelor’s degree is offered in the following areas: business and supply chain analytics (BA), chemical engineering (ChE), civil engineering (CE), computer engineering (CPE), digital engineering (DE), electrical engineering (EE), industrial engineering and smart logistics (IE), and mechanical engineering (ME).

SIIT offers seven master of engineering programs, namely, Master of Engineering Program in Engineering Technology, Master of Engineering Program in Logistics and Supply Chain Systems Engineering, Master of Engineering Program in Smart Industry and Applied Artificial Intelligence. It also offers Master of Science Program in Business Analytics and Technology Management, Master of Science Program in Engineering and Technology, and a Doctor of Philosophy Program in Engineering and Technology.

At the present time, the Institute has established faculty member, student, and staff exchange programs with a number of universities in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. These programs allow not only faculty members to collaborate with their counterparts in research projects, but also students to have an opportunity to take courses at those universities. Additionally, invitations to visit and teach SIIT courses are regularly extended to qualified foreign professors under such programs.

Although it is a unit of Thammasat University, SIIT is financially and administratively separate to a certain degree from the central university system. SIIT’s policies and operations are guided and supervised by the Board of Trustees, which consists of representatives from Thammasat University, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Nippon Keidanren, and scholars appointed by the university.

In addition, the SIIT Academic Committee, comprising reputable scholars in various fields, provides recommendations on the promotion of faculty members and reviews academic curricula.

The Institute, headed by the Director, consists of administrative divisions, a Library and Information Services Center, and six academic schools.