On July 23, 2025, Khon Kaen University, through its Faculty of Engineering, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Focus Human Development International Foundation to foster academic collaboration. Present at the signing ceremony were Assoc. Prof. Ratchaphon Suntivarakorn, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and Asst. Prof. Witcha Feungchan, faculty member of the Computer Engineering Program, along with faculty staff. Representing the Foundation were Mr. Witter Kit Maneerak, President of the Focus Human Development International Foundation, and Ms. Kamolporn Khlaimak, Vice President, who joined the event via Zoom.
Assoc. Prof. Ratchaphon Suntivarakorn, Ph.D., stated that this MOU aims to support and promote Thai youth in developing advanced knowledge in robotics and artificial intelligence, enabling them to create practical projects for the International Scratch Creative Programming Olympiad and Global AI & Robotics Competitions involving participants from 65 countries, organized by Finland.
“This collaboration will also include academic exchange in curriculum development, software, hardware, robotics, and coding, as well as joint research, development, and adaptation of cutting-edge technologies from abroad for domestic application and global commercialization. Such initiatives will stimulate Thailand’s innovation-driven economy, elevate research capabilities, and support government policies. This aligns with the Faculty’s mission to advance research, knowledge, and innovation to meet national and global needs, and reflects our core values under SMART—Social devotion and Technology-focused innovation. With these foundations, the Faculty is on track to achieve its vision of becoming ‘A World-Class Faculty of Engineering for All.’ We sincerely thank the Focus Human Development International Foundation for this partnership and look forward to achieving the objectives of this MOU.”
Mr. Witter Kit Maneerak, President of the Focus Human Development International Foundation, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration:
“Thailand has a highly capable workforce. By integrating globally recognized curricula from Finland and Estonia—programs exclusively licensed in Thailand by the Foundation, including those from the International Scratch Creative Programming Olympiad Finland and ROBBO Finland Oy—we aim to enhance the skills of Thai youth, enabling them to obtain internationally accredited certifications, improve career prospects, and gain access to the global job market. Combining the academic strengths of Khon Kaen University with the Foundation’s extensive experience in youth development, we believe this MOU marks a significant step toward empowering Thai youth in robotics and AI, ensuring a strong and sustainable future in the AI-driven era.”
Following the signing ceremony, both parties discussed plans to develop and drive collaborative projects under the MOU, including programs to support youth development and foster next-generation entrepreneurs through Start-up Robot and AI Entrepreneurship 5.0, aligning with Thailand’s Future Industries policy and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in global innovation markets.
