In 2005, the Sixth General Congress of Savannakhet Province (28-30 July, 2005) resolved a strategic program on socio-economic development of the province which set forth, among other, to set up a new university in the central part of the country. And on 30th December, 2008, the Minister of Education and Sports issued a mandate for creating a committee called “Savannakhet University Creating Committeee”. While on 27th March 2009, the Prime Minister of Lao PDR promulgated the decree No 091/PM for the establishment authorizing the establish ment of Savannakhet University. Finally, Savannakhet University was founded on 27th March 2009.

The rational of SKU establishing not only depends on the location specificity, but also the specificity of the three central provinces: Savannakhet, Khammoune and Borikhamxay, which is the East-West Economic Corridor. The three provinces are endowed with agricultural production like cereals, economic crops and ruminants and so on. The three provinces are exploiting precious mines, developing trade and service at the economic corridor. Each year, the number of post-secondary students in the three provinces and half of Salavan province increases (average) reaches 10450, accounting 21.13% of total in the country. While all public and private education institutions can only receive 74.3%. At the same time, the logistics along EWEC & GMS Routes, high level of market demands and facilities of infrastructure and human resources also contribute to its rationale.