Researchers on the road to Thailand 4.0 get B40m boost

British Council Thailand and the Office of Higher Education Commission (Ohec), have provided Thai researchers with a 40 million baht grant under its Newton Fund to strengthen the research capabilities of Thai academics.

The aim is to push Thailand forward to the 4.0 vision, the national strategy to transform Thailand’s economy into one based on innovation, research and development, and higher technologies.

Under the scheme, the money has been spent on eight research projects including the development and evaluation of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells for treatment of cancer; highly-energy efficient and cost-effective biodiesel production from vegetable oil sources in Thailand, and the molecular pathology of rare genetic diseases in children.

British Council Thailand director Andrew Glass said the Newton Fund has allowed Britain to share its research and innovation knowledge to promote economic development and social welfare with partner countries including Thailand over a five-year period starting from 2014.

“The fund has brought together British and Thai researchers through academic institutions and research departments. This research cooperation is set to bring about technological advancements while at the same time strengthening our bilateral relations,” he said.

Ohec’s director of the Department of Higher Education and Personnel Development Pranpremsak Arunee said the Newton Fund is a project that Thailand has invested in together with the United Kingdom, as the country does not just receive scholarships alone, but also provides funds depending on the projects.

“This project is expected to build a strong relationship between researchers from both countries and serves as an opportunity for Thai researchers to get exposure to new technologies,” he said.

Mr Pranpremsak said Ohec is fully supportive of the cooperation and hopes to extend and expand the fund as improving Thai research visibility and impact is critical for Thailand 4.0.