Suranaree University of Technology

Location: Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand (Asia)

Overview of University

Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) is an innovation and sustainable university which prides itself on being an academic technology hub and collaborator in science, technology, and innovation, as well as engaging with the local and global community. SUT’s core value is ‘PRIDE’ and they proudly serve and solve complex community-based problems, contributing towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SUT is a residential university with a large campus, based in the North East of Thailand.

University Structure

• Institute of Engineering
• Institute of Science
• Institute of Social Technology
• Institute of Agricultural Technology
• Institute of Medicine
• Institute of Nursing
• Institute of Dentistry
• Institute of Public Health
• Institute of Digital Arts and Science

Research Focuses

SUT’s research strengths are in science and technology which are at the forefront of research undertaken by their 9 centers of excellence. These centers are as follows:

• Advanced Functional Materials
• High Energy Physics & Astrophysics
• Biomechanics Medicine
• Biomass
• Electromagnetic Wave Application
• Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure Development
• Entrepreneurship
• Agricultural Product Innovation Technology (and Innovation for Korat Chicken Business Development)
• Microbial Technology for Agricultural Industry

Aside from academic based activities, SUT engages with social and local communities through 4 Enterprise Units:

• Technopolis,  for incubation and technology transfer
• Suranaree University of Technology Hospital (SUTH), for public services and medical innovation
• Suranaree University of Technology Farm, for research and technology transfer
• Surasammanakhan, for hotel accommodation

There are an additional 2 Social Enterprise Units which are:

• Surawiwat School Academy, for the study of science, technology, and language learning to steer the younger generation into STEM
• Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (RSPG)

Through it’s research and strategy, SUT aims to uplift Thailand’s core competency and to solve real-world challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.

Research Projects:

• In collaboration with UNESCO World Heritage Site Khao Yai National Park at Protection Unit 4 (Klong Plakang), the local community, and the Canadian Embassy, the project aims to resolve human-wildlife conflict and community tensions through a ‘Natural Educational Smart Trail’.
• Boron Neutron Capture Therapy as a targeted cancer treatment and as an environmentally safe and a cost-effective plasma disinfection technology for hospitals and public buildings against COVID-19 and other microbials.
• Research into Nitrogen Capture Fertilizers via Plasma Activated Water (PAW) Technology has improved farming opportunities by increasing productivity and reducing the cost of fertilizers.
• 2X Plus-Sperm Sorting Technology helps sort female sperm for artificial intelligence.
• Materials Innovations to offer a range of environmentally friendly products such as lightweight cellular cements, biodegradable food sleeves from a rubber tree and autoclavable bioplastic packaging.

International Collaboration

SUT collaborates with around 100 partners in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, partnering most frequently with fellow WTUN member Shibaura Institute of Technology (Japan) and with other universities including Guizhou University (China) and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (Indonesia). These collaborations include student exchanges, academic training, educational placements, conferences and seminars, and collaborative research.

SUT also collaborate formally with over 100 universities internationally, including Institut National Polytechnique of Toulouse (France), The ALICE Detector (Switzerland), Goethe University of Technology (Germany) and Osaka University of Technology (Japan).