8 July 2026 – Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and its National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international scientific collaboration by leading a high-level delegation from the SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SKKU-SAINT), Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Republic of Korea, on a courtesy visit to Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
The delegation was led by Emeritus Professor Dr. Sirirurg Songsivilai, NSTDA Board Member and Chairman of the Executive Board of NANOTEC, together with Professor Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA, and Dr. Uracha Ruktanonchai, Executive Director of NANOTEC. The Republic of Korea delegation was headed by Professor Ji-Beom Yoo, President of Sungkyunkwan University. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation between Thailand and the Republic of Korea.
During the discussion, Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat emphasized the importance of technology localization, highlighting the need to adapt and develop advanced technologies to suit Thailand’s socio-economic context and industrial priorities. He also encouraged expanding collaboration beyond research institutes to universities, with a strong emphasis on human capital development to cultivate a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting future industries.
A key topic of discussion was the advancement of photonics research, a strategic technology that harnesses light for data transmission, sensing, imaging, and intelligent device applications. Photonics is widely recognized as an enabling technology underpinning next-generation industries, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, precision medicine, smart sensors, quantum technologies, and advanced manufacturing.
One of SKKU-SAINT’s distinguishing strengths lies in its long-standing strategic partnerships with leading South Korean industries, established since the institute’s inception. These collaborations support fundamental research in emerging technologies, accelerate the development of industrially applicable innovations, promote joint research between academia and industry, and cultivate highly skilled talent aligned with the needs of advanced technology sectors. This industry-driven research ecosystem enables SKKU-SAINT to address real industrial challenges while accelerating the translation of research outcomes from laboratory discoveries to commercial and industrial applications.
Thailand has also made steady progress in photonics-related research, particularly in nanomaterials, photonic devices, and sensor technologies for industrial, medical, and agricultural applications. Strengthening collaboration with a world-class research institute such as SKKU-SAINT is expected to enhance Thailand’s research capabilities through joint research projects, researcher and student exchanges, capacity building, and shared access to advanced research infrastructure and facilities.
The collaboration between MHESI, through NSTDA-NANOTEC, and SKKU-SAINT marks another significant milestone in strengthening Thailand–Republic of Korea cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. The partnership is expected to accelerate the development of advanced technologies with strong commercialization potential, enhance Thailand’s research and innovation ecosystem, and support the development of a highly skilled scientific workforce in alignment with the MHESI Action Plan 2026–2030, contributing to Thailand’s transition toward a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
