Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirote Phonpuntin, Vice President for Policy and Planning, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University (SDU), unveiled a strategy to introduce the university into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). An action plan must be developed and carried out in a participatory and integrated manner, according to the Vice President. The goal of a strategic plan is set to be reached through a step-by-step approach within a given appropriate timeframe. This allows the plan to be flexible and adaptive or even suspended had it not been in accordance with current situations. The plan must be created taking into account the strengths and potential of the institute, which is a specialized university possessing distinctive identities in regard to Food, Childhood Education, Service Industry, and, Nursing and Wellbeing.The institute’s significant mission is to deliver high quality graduates to the local and society coupled with academic and research services. The university is committed to preparing its graduates for the approaching AEC. These graduates are endowed with a sense of morality and ethics as well as a self-sacrificing mind while seeking knowledge, having great personality and being socially responsible.
The Vice President for Policy and Planning noted that, the university has encouraged teachers from every faculty to jointly develop their curriculum and teaching manuals including related matters to ensure that they have developed in the same direction. Such development has been conducted with a focus on seeking and providing new information to the students. As for the AEC preparedness, great emphasis has been placed on strengthening the existing strengths regarding Food, Childhood Education, Nursing and Service Industry, which are believed to attract the attention of other ASEAN countries. In addition, SDU has cooperated with China academically in various areas. The university plans to develop joint curricula, such as an international business program, to match the demand of both countries.
1. Food
Food Industry is one of the renowned strengths of Suan Dusit Rajabhat University.Culinary expertise is at the top of the list of skills inherited from the Phra Nakorn Home Science School, where women in the past were instructed on home science gained through long-established wisdom for generations. The purpose of learning and teaching of the university is to maintain the reputation of Suan Dusit as a culinary expert while moving forward unceasingly.
2. Childhood Education
SDU provides childhood education that caters for young learners from infants to eight-year-old children. Childhood Education requires specific management techniques that are comparatively different from other branches of education. Children at this age are at a learning stage that is crucial to the development of their competencies, either physically or intellectually, mentally or emotionally, and enhancement of social competence. With more than 50 years of experience in learning and teaching in this educational realm, the Faculty of Education is one of the strong identities that have led Suan Dusit to become a leader in Childhood Education in Thailand. Furthermore, La-or Utis Demonstration School, the first public kindergarten of Thailand and the country’s prototype of pre-school education, is also situated within the premises of the university.
3. Service Industry
For the Tourism Industry and Hotel Business Management (Quick-Service Restaurant),the university has improved the curriculum to ensure that its students have developed a desired personality and good communication skills required in the service industry. In addition, students are provided with training places for their professional experience such as the Suan Dusit Place Hotel and an airline cabin mock-up for students in the Airline Business Management. Suan Dusit Rajabhat University has also developed the curriculum through cooperation with the country’s top airline operators to achieve excellence in the airline business.
4.Nursing and Wellbeing
This area emphasizes the care for children and the elderly. The Faculty of Nursing Science of Suan Dusit Rajabhat University has always updated its curriculum to be in line with the National Education Standards as well as the Higher Education Standards and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. The university’s curriculum is certified by the Office of the Higher Education Commission and the Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Suan Dusit Rajabhat University has determinedly developed the quality of teachers along with its academic programs and facilities not only in these four main realms but in all other academic areas, with adherence to the same principles and standards. This is to ensure that, aside from a chosen degree, SDU graduates will bring with them quality, originality, along with an impressive personality and, importantly, employment readiness.