New dept to update education

>> The government will push for the establishment of a new ministry to oversee higher education, research and development before it cedes power, said Science and Technology Minister Suvit Maesincee.

Mr Suvit said the planned ministry, which has yet to be named, is designed to strengthen the country’s higher education to help realise the vision of technology-driven Thailand 4.0.

“The ministry has to be set up within this government because we don’t know how the future administration will handle it,” he said. “We have only a little time to push ahead — just seven to eight months.”

Reports have emerged that the new ministry will involve a merger between the Office of Higher Education, which falls under the Education Ministry, and the Science and Technology Ministry.

Mr Suvit said the planned ministry resulted from a series of talks between the Education Ministry, and the Science and Technology Ministry seeking to improve how they work.

The Education Ministry wants to separate the Office of Higher Education Commission (Ohec) from the rest of the education system.

To do so, the Education Ministry has proposed a specific draft bill on the management of higher education.

Meanwhile, the Science and Technology Ministry plans to implement structural changes to make better use of science and technology to align with the goals of the 20-year national strategic plan, he said.

According to Mr Suvit, the ministry lacks a clear development strategy in terms of human resources and knowledge building, and its spending on research and development programmes further reflects this.

He said science, technology and innovation are playing an increasingly important role across industries and universities should adapt to meet the changing environment.

“The programmes offered by academic institutions should be designed to meet demands in the labour market. The education system currently lacks this, so there is a need to make changes,” he said.

He added Prime Minister Prayut Chano-cha acknowledges the importance of academic institutions and sees them as important in driving the country’s competitiveness and growth.

The proposed ministry is expected to include a policy and planning unit responsible for setting directions and budgets, and building research networks, as well as an institute that trains and produces personnel, among others.

He said the challenge remains of how to streamline the diverse tasks and responsibilities of existing agencies that will come under the new ministry, adding that some of them will be public organisations.

Deputy Education Minister Udom Kachintorn expressed confidence that the proposed ministry will be established before the government leaves office.