Dr. Narong Mongkhonvanit
Founder, Siam University (1965)
“Education must serve national development.”
Origins: A Vision for Thailand (1965)
Siam University was established in 1965 by the late Dr. Narong Mongkhonvanit, a visionary educator who recognized Thailand's urgent need for skilled technical professionals during the country's post-war industrialization era. He founded the institution as Thailand's first private three-year engineering school, starting with just 200 founding students on a campus in Bangkok's Bangkhae district along Phetkasem Road.
Dr. Narong's founding principle was clear: education must serve national development. He designed the curriculum to blend rigorous technical training with practical, industry-ready skills — a philosophy that remains central to Siam University's identity today. The Mongkhonvanit family's commitment continues through the current president, Dr. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, who leads the institution into its seventh decade.
Transformation: From College to University (1973–1989)
Within eight years of its founding, the institution earned redesignation as Siam Technical College (1973), gaining the authority to confer bachelor's degrees — reflecting both program quality and Thailand's rapidly growing demand for tertiary technical education.
By 1986, the Thai government recognized the institution as Siam Technical University — granting full private, non-profit university status. Three years later, in 1989, the name was simplified to Siam University, signaling its evolution into a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary institution no longer limited to technical fields alone.
Expansion: Health Sciences & Global Reach (1990s–2010s)
In 1995, the International College was established, launching English-medium programs and attracting students from across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The 2010s brought a transformative addition: the Faculty of Medicine, following rigorous Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) assessment in 2012, admitted its first cohort in Semester 1, 2013. The addition of Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Pharmacy, and Nursing elevated Siam University to a comprehensive health and sciences university.
Today: Thailand's Premier Private University
Today, Siam University stands as one of Thailand's largest and most respected private universities — ranked 5th in Thailand by private university enrollment. With approximately 15,000 active students, over 80,000 graduates, 13 faculties and colleges, 90+ global partners, and students representing 40+ nationalities, the university embodies the global academic community its founder envisioned six decades ago.
