Dhurakij Pundit University (DPU), which in Thai means University of Business Knowledge , is one of the most distinguished, private universities in Thailand , increasingly recognized by the international academic community. It was established in 1968 as a simple business college, with some 40 students, by its two founders, Dr. Sawai Sudhipitak and Mr. Sanan Ketudat.
From a small beginning, Dhurakij Pundit College grew rapidly in student numbers and academic programs. DPU owes its success mainly to the vision and dedication of Dr. Sawai who served as the University's first president until his death in 1994 and Khun Sanan who guided its expansion as Honorary Chairman of the University Council while pursuing a distinguished career in Government followed by private law practice.
In 1984, the country's Ministry of University Affairs conferred University status on DPU, in recognition of its high academic standards and achievements. Only three other private colleges earned a similar distinction at that time.
Mission and Philosophy
Dhurakij Pundit University aims to nurture academic excellence as Thailand 's premier business-knowledge-enhanced place of learning, providing business know-how for graduates in all disciplines. Every student is a potential leader and it is DPU's responsibility to provide them with opportunities and facilities to develop their knowledge and skills.
DPU's two co-founders believed strongly that having an adequate knowledge of business was essential to achieving success in life. Their faith was expressed in these two statements which serve as the University's philosophy: 'Work Purifies The Soul' and 'Business Professionals Build A Nation'. The sentiments contained in these statements continue to underpin the objectives of Dhurakij Pundit University where every student is taught business knowledge irrespective of the course of study chosen. DPU is also committed to the social and cultural development of its students, placing great importance on the virtues of righteousness and integrity.
Facilities
DPU is well equipped with the most sophisticated and cutting edge equipment, providing excellent student facilities and services.
Campus Facilities and Amenities
Visitors to DPU carry back with them a lasting impression of its tranquil atmosphere. The campus is a “university within a park”, resplendent with trees, plants and flowers creating an environment conducive to learning. Planning of buildings and other facilities and amenities have taken account of the needs of students, lecturers, administrative and support staff and visitors. All enclosed areas like classrooms, lecture theatres, meeting rooms, laboratories, television and broadcasting studios are modern and fully air-conditioned. A closed-circuit television and radio broadcasting and a satellite transmission system operate on campus.
Computer Laboratory
More than 2,000 personal computers with free internet access are available for use by students
Library
The University's library-cum-information center occupies five stories of a building and has an inventory of some 150,000 books, research studies and hundreds of journals, periodicals, magazines and newspapers in English, Thai and other principal languages.
Self Access Language Learning Center (SALLC)
This supervised computer and media-assisted center provides students with English language self-learning.
Sports and Recreation
The DPU sports complex comprises a gymnasium, a fitness center, a weight room, outdoor tennis courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool and football field.
DPU Place 4-Star Hotel
DPU Place is a 4-star botique hotel on campus with 25 guest rooms providing hands-on training for students studying hospitality and tourism at the University. Run like a commercial hotel, DPU Place offers high-standard and convenient accommodation for outstation visitors to the University. Meals and drinks are served at its air-conditioned cafeteria to non-residents as well as hotel guests.
Printing Services
Photocopying, printing, binding and overhead projector slide production facilities are available at Printing Shops behind Building 5 and in the undercover ground floor area of Building 7. A small charge is made for these services.
Student Affairs
The student affairs office assists students in the attainment of their educational goals. It provides numerous student services and programs to enhance a student in learning, leadership potential and career developments.
Medical Services
DPU provides a free emergency medical service at a clinic on the ground floor of Building 2. It is staffed by a medical doctor and qualified nurses.
Thai Culture
Thai universities play a major role in the country's cultural preservation and development. In 1984, the DPU Cultural Center was built for this purpose and was subsequently adopted by the Ministry of Education as one of its constituent cultural centers. The Center aims to promote values relating to the nation, to religion and the monarchy; to encourage research and study of Thai culture and arts among students, staff and members of the public. Built in traditional Thai architecture, DPU's Cultural Center houses a collection of art and artifacts of cultural and historical significance. The Center also teaches students children from the immediate neighborhood Thai music and the performing arts including Thai dancing, thereby helping them to 'live their culture'.
The Sawai Sudhipitak Museum
The Sawai Sudhipitak Museum , on the 7 th Floor of Building 6, is a tribute to DPU's co-founder and first President, Dr. Sawai Sudhipitak. Born in humble circumstances in 1917, Dr. Sawai rose from school student, to youth leader, government official, politician and confidant of prime ministers. Later he was to go to greater heights as a businessman, writer, translator, teacher, educationalist and internationally acclaimed scholar.
The museum provides a personal and sometimes intimate insight into the life of this extraordinary man, and also into the lifestyle and customs of the Thais with whom he grew up, was educated, and worked.
The galleries of the museum preserve a fine collection of Dr. Sawai's personal possessions, and a fascinating array of memorabilia from the Thailand in which he lived.
Bookshop, Bank, Post Office and Other On-Campus Facilities
A bookshop carrying a wide range of textbooks, dictionaries, magazines, newspapers, diaries, and stationary is located on the ground floor of the car park building, on the western side of campus.
There is a fully operational branch of the Siam Commercial Bank and a Post Office agency in the same location.
Trade and business fairs are regularly held on campus during the week. These offer a wide range of Thai artifacts, household and personal goods, massage and podiatry services, and further varieties of Thai regional foods, snacks, deserts and drinks.
Car Park
Free parking is available for some 500 vehicles in the multi-story car park, which is located on the western perimeter of the campus. Additionally, an outdoor car park is located on the far eastern campus.
Food
Food and beverage are available in the air-conditioned cafe of the University's boutique hotel, DPU Place , as well as in a large food court offering Thai and other delicacies at economical prices.
Contact
DPU International College, Dhurakij Pundit University
6th Floor, Building 6110/1-4 Prachachuen Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
Tel: 0-2954-7300 Ext. 646, 663, 704 (Tuesday - Saturday)
Fax: 0-2954-9510
E-mail: dpuic@dpu.ac.th (general inquiries and undergraduate programs)
mdbi@dpu.ac.th (postgraduate programs)
