Roadshows to pitch for leading unis
The Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) plans to hold roadshows by the middle of next year to attract the world’s top universities to set up campuses in Thailand, to produce a more science-skilled workforce.
It plans to attract universities in the US and Europe such as Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as Oxford and Cambridge universities, Suchatvee Suwansawat, president of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and the next CUPT president said yesterday.
The move is aimed at boosting standards and the reputation of Thai universities, especially in the science and technology fields.
Mr Suchatvee said Thailand is too slow in adapting to the world’s fourth industrial revolution known as “Industry 4.0” in which industrial processes will be transformed through advanced technology and economic growth will be driven by innovation.
“We need to produce more scientists, researchers, technocrats and innovators to compete in a changing world, or the country will lose its competitiveness,” he said.
Mr Suchatvee also expressed concern over the latest Programme for International Student Assessment( Pisa) results in which the performance of Thai students in mathematics and science was much lower than in many other Asian countries.
He said it shows Thais are not yet ready to turn the country into an innovative manufacturing nation.
To transform the country according to the government’s Thailand 4.0 policy, the workforce needs to create “4.0 citizens” who have innovation skills.
“All Thai universities and academics have to play a crucial role in driving this change. We cannot just wait to follow policies from the Education Ministry. Sometimes, we have to do things ourselves,” he said.
Under his plan, CUPT will try to convince top universities in the US and Europe to set up campuses and laboratories in Thailand or sign deals with Thai universities to provide teaching support in key subjects such as nanotechnology, digital technology, robotics, engineering and medicine.
Thailand has the potential to be a leader in international education in this region which may attract top universities, said Mr Suchatvee.
Thailand also has long-term infrastructure projects which will require a qualified workforce in the science and technology fields.
He also urged Thai universities to motivate young people to study sciences by providing a clearer picture of the career path a student can have after graduation.
To encourage more students to pursue studies in sciences and mathematics, more encouragement must be provided starting from primary education.
Parents should also help their children by telling them sciences and mathematics can be fun, he said.