Khon Kaen University signs an MOU with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. The MOU is for deployment of Thailand Academy of Sciences (TAS) and collaboration in preparing high-competent scientists and to increase Thailand’s competitive competency.
Thursday May 25, 2023, from 09:30 to 11:30 a.m – Khon Kaen University led by Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University entered an MOU with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and joined the launching of Thailand Academy of Sciences (TAS) at the Press Conference Room, 1st Floor, Phra Jomklao Building, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI). Prof. Anek Laothammathas, Ph.D., Minister of the Ministry presided over the ceremony and signed the MOU. Among those attending as witnesses were: Prof. Sirirerk Songsiriwilai, M.D., Ph.D., MHESI Permanent Secretary; Mr. Sampan Yensamran, the Minister’s Advisor; Prof. Supachai Pathumnakul, Ph.D., Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry; Assoc. Prof. Weerapong Paesuwan, Ph.D., Chairman of the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC); Prof. Simpong Khlainongsuang, Ph.D., Director of the Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development; administrators of MHESI, administrators of academic institutions and some private organizations.
Prof. Anek Laothammathas, Ph.D., Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation presided over the ceremony and signed the MOU.
Prof. Anek Laothammathas, Ph.D., Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation said in the opening ceremony that the Science Academy emerges from the intention to merge the works of Thai sciences and academics. Scientists should not work only in their specialized fields, but the academy should be the Think Tank of the nation. If the country is facing any problem that needs to be solved, the academy should be one among the decision makers and should be a virtual organization without having to establish a new organization. Capable personnel from many institutions can join in developing the issues of their interest so that the advancement of each matter would be at the international forefront. Appropriate human resources should be produced, who are ready to work for the industry and their work meets the world trend. The works should be done rapidly, in great quantity so that they will lead to success. The Academy of Sciences will be a ready-to-use formula for collaboration of organizations under MHESI, which comprise leading universities and science research institutions. What is going to happen next is to make sciences fun, for anything done without fun would be hard to reach the competent level. In addition, the Minister wants to propose the following two collaborative programs, namely: 1) Thai tourism – for tourism in Thailand is now at the forefront of the world. Thus, undergraduate tourism programs should be offered and linked to Thai hotels with the world reputation. 2) Thai children who are able to produce work outcomes from scientific competitions can be encouraged to study at the institutions under the Academy of Sciences, without emphasis on grades, but on practical projects instead. Instruction that is fun should be provided in parallel with classroom learning so that in the future these children will grow to be practicing scientists.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University talked about the roles of Khon Kaen University under this MOU that KKU is ready to support the policies of the Thailand Academy of Sciences in producing graduates with high-competency in 4 fields: advanced nanotechnology in carbon storing; bio-innovation in the future foods; personal health and future AI; and Education of the future. The outcome of these programs will be at least 80 graduates to work in research institutions and the private sector in 3-5 years. This means more manpower for the research institutions and private sector to strengthen Thai GDP with advanced technological bases.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has founded the Thailand Academy of Sciences (TAS) as the center for linking the network of researchers, the National Research Council and universities to work together and make use of the existing national infrastructures of sciences and technologies in order for the country to possess good scientific foundation, good bases for development of Thai people, good Think Tank, advanced research and innovations and high-competent graduates in the vital fields. This will lead to increased competitiveness of the country and the country will become a developed country by 2037. The works will be performed in the following 3 dimensions: 1) Building of Frontline Think Tank in sciences and technologies; 2) Building of Frontier Science Alliances; and 3) Producing high-competent manpower (Future Graduates Platform).
News: Banjamaporn Mamook
Additional information: Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation
https://www.mhesi.go.th/index.php/pr-executive-news/9055-2023-05-25-07-33-40.html
