Suan Dusit University (SDU) is an institution deeply committed to promoting equitable access to higher education for all learners, particularly those with strong academic potential but limited financial resources. The University’s initiatives align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 1.3.1 – Bottom Financial Quintile Admission Target, which emphasizes increasing access to education for students from the lowest 20% of household income groups in the country.
Goal for Financial Assistance to Low-Income Students:
SDU recognizes that a significant proportion of its student population comes from low- to middle- income families. According to data from the Student Development Division, approximately 60–70% of SDU students each year rely on scholarships or the national Student Loan Fund (SLF) to cover tuition and living expenses. This reflects the socio-economic reality that many students face financial challenges — and highlights the University’s strong commitment to bridging educational inequality through comprehensive scholarship schemes and financial assistance mechanisms.
One of SDU’s flagship initiatives is the “English Talent Full Scholarship Program”, designed to provide full financial support to students who demonstrate exceptional English proficiency but come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Recipients are granted free tuition for the entire undergraduate program, along with academic mentoring and continuous language enhancement activities. This initiative represents SDU’s philosophy of “Empowering Potential through Equity,” integrating academic excellence with social inclusion.
English Talent Full Scholarship Program – TCAS Dusit
Another key project is the “Vijitpongpun Scholarship”, a fully funded grant for students from low-income families who demonstrate good academic performance and moral conduct. The scholarship covers tuition and essential living costs. In the academic year 2024/2025, 50 students received this award, and the list of recipients was transparently published on the university’s official website. Vijitpongpun Scholarship – dusit.ac.th
In addition, SDU collaborates with government agencies, private organizations, and its alumni association to establish various external scholarship programs, such as:
- Krungthai Bank “Growing Together” Scholarship
- Suan Dusit Alumni Association Scholarship
- Equity in Education Fund Scholarship. All of these are non-repayable grants, designed to ensure that motivated students can continue their studies without financial constraints.
SDU also provides strong support for students participating in the Student Loan Fund (SLF) program, which allows students across all faculties and campuses to apply for financial aid without any limit on the number of recipients. A dedicated advisory unit assists students in navigating the application process, ensuring that those from low-income families receive fair and comprehensive access to educational funding.
In addition to scholarships and student loan programs, the university has policies to admit and support vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, such as students with disabilities, orphans, and those from remote rural areas. Special admission quotas and tailored support programs are provided to ensure that these students can pursue their studies with the same quality and opportunities as other students. The university sets a target for at least 5% of new students each academic year to come from low-income households and to receive financial or special assistance accordingly.
Goal for Student Completion/Graduation:
To reduce the student dropout rate to “zero” and
promote 100% graduation within the expected study period.
As a result of these comprehensive initiatives, SDU has successfully reduced dropout rates due to financial hardship while increasing the graduation rate among economically disadvantaged students. Many scholarship recipients have completed their degrees and secured stable employment, demonstrating the long-term success of SDU’s inclusive education policy.
Looking ahead, Suan Dusit University remains committed to expanding and institutionalizing its scholarship programs. The University plans to increase the number of scholarships annually, establish a sustainable Educational Equity Fund, and develop a proactive database to identify and support students in vulnerable groups more effectively.
The University’s efforts in the 2024/2025 academic year clearly demonstrate its dedication to empowering both low-income and high-potential students through accessible, high-quality education. These achievements exemplify SDU’s full alignment with the principles and criteria of SDG 1.3.1 – Bottom Financial Quintile Admission Target, reinforcing its role as a leading Thai university in promoting social inclusion and educational equality.
