Metharath University

มหาวิทยาลัยเมธารัถย์ (Thai) 西那瓦国际大学 (Chinese)
Former name	Shinawatra University
Type	Private
Established	1999
Founder	Thaksin Shinawatra
President	Zhou Fei (Price Chow)
Location	Thailand
Campus	Pathum Thani
Website	mru.ac.th
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese	西那瓦国际大学
Traditional Chinese	西那瓦國際大學
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Xīnàwǎ Guójì Dàxué

Metharath University (MRU), formerly Shinawatra University (SIU), is a private international university in Thailand, established by Thaksin Shinawatra and his colleagues. The campus was designed and developed by Soontorn Boonyatikarn in 1997. The Ministry of University Affairs granted the license for operation in 1999. The first Shinawatra University Council Meeting was held on 19 May 2000, and the first batch of students was admitted in September 2002. As of 2018, the university had students and faculty members of over 30 nationalities.

The university changed its name in 2022^[1] amidst concerns regarding Chinese investment.^[2]

Presidents

• 1999–2000 Police Captain Prof. Dr. Purachai Piumsomboon
• 2000–2002 Sangsan Panich (Acting President)
• 2002–2003 Wittaya Manawanicharoen (Acting President)
• 2003–2004 Thanong Bidaya (Acting President)
• 2004–2008 Prof. Prida Wibulswas
• 2008–2009 Prof. Somchart Sophonronnarit
• 2009–2011 Kittiratt Na-Ranong
• 2011–2012 Asst. Prof. Prinya Tantaswadi (Acting President)
• 2012–2015 Prof. Voradej Chandarasorn
• 2015–2020 Associate Prof. Dr. Boonsom Lerdhirunwong
• 2020–2021 Asst. Prof. Prinya Tantaswadi (Acting President)
• 2021–Present Zhou Fei (Price Chow)

University council

• Paron Israsena Na Ayudhaya, Chairman
• M.D. Prommin Lertsuridej, Vice Chairman
• Pensom Damapong, Member
• Prasit Tansuwan, Member
• Doris Gold Wibunsin, Member
• Professor Damrong Khummongkol, Member
• Associate Professor Ake Chaisawadi, Member
• Associate Professor Pira Chirasopone, Member
• Pollasanha Positong, Member
• Associate Professor Thanmanustanun Phaniphuk, Member
• Associate Professor Sugree Charoensook, Member
• Chantavit Sujatanond, Member
• Professor Emeritus Sophon Roengsumran, Member
• General Charupat Ruangsuwan, Member
• Prof. Voradej Chandarasorn, Member
• Prayuth Swadriokul, Secretary

Courses

School of Information Technology

• B.Sc Computer Science

The undergraduate program is conducted at the Pathum Thani Campus.

• Master of Science Program in Information Technology
• Master of Science Degree in Information Technology (Thai Program)

School of Management

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (BBA)
• Master's Degree in Business Administration (International Program)
• Master's Degree in Business Administration (Thai Program)
• Doctor of Philosophy Program in Management (International Program)

School of Management Technology

• Bachelor of Science in Management Technology (BSMT)

Options:

• Architectural Technology Management
• Energy and Environment Management
• Building and Facility Management
• Master of Science in Management Technology (MSMT)
• PhD in Management Technology

School of Liberal Arts

• Bachelor of Arts Program in Liberal Arts (BALA)
• Master of Education in Teaching English as International Language (MedTEIL)
• Master of Art in Media, Information and Communication

Main campus

The main campus is in Pathum Thani Province, 50 kilometers from Bangkok. Its buildings received both the Asia Energy Award and the Energy Efficient Building 2003 Award.

Computer facilities

Skylink

Classrooms contain computers and LCD visualizers connected to projectors. The university a fast Internet connection and Wi-Fi available in all buildings. Students are provided with accounts, e-mail facilities, and Web space.

Main campus

Laboratories include:

• Apple Laboratory, with iMac, iPad2, iPod Touch devices and a projector, on the ground floor of the main academic building,
• Architectural and Environmental Design Studio with computer-aided design (CAD) software, on the fifth floor of the main academic building,
• Computer Networking, Operating System and Microprocessor Laboratory, on the third floor of the main academic building,
• Computer Programming Laboratory, on the third floor of the main academic building,
• Electronics and Circuits Laboratory, on the second floor of the laboratory building,
• General Computer Laboratory with printers, on the third floor of the main academic building,
• Language Laboratories, on the third floor of the main academic building and on the ground floor of the dormitory.

Dormitories

First-year students are required to stay in the air-conditioned dormitories on Pathumthani campus during the semesters and summer sessions. There are separate facilities for men and women. Computer network and telephone connections are available in each room. On each floor there is a students' common room.

Activities

Activities are usually organized through student clubs with elected executives. The clubs organize and manage activities related to academic affairs, culture, social events, and sports. The university partially subsidizes student activities.

The clubs are separated into four groups:

Library

The Metharath University Library uses the Library of Congress classification system. Search via the Internet is supported. The library implemented RFID (radio frequency identification) book handling technology in December 2002, the first in Thailand to do so.

References

14°06′06″N 100°25′57″E / 14.10167°N 100.43250°E / 14.10167; 100.43250

External links

• Metharath University
• Education and language education in Thailand - Bangkok post http://www.bangkokpost.com/education/site2002/cvmy0702.htm