Shinawatra University,(Abbreviation: SIU), an international university in Thailand, was founded in 1996 by Thaksin Shinawatra. It emphasizes technology and management. SIU offers science, technology and engineering education, as well as related management programs. All are international programs, with the English language as the medium of instruction. The idea of creating Shinawatra University belongs to Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, who funded it with 1 billion baht from the Shinawatra family. The university was granted a license by the Ministry of University Affairs in 1999. Shinawatra University School of Technology The undergraduate program is conducted at Pathumthani Campus. Shinawatra University's main campus is located in Pathumthani Province, 50 kilometers from Bangkok. The campus's modern architecture has received both the Asia Energy Award and the Energy Efficient Building 2003 Award. The Shinawatra University Library uses the Library of Congress Classification System.