H.E. Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister of Science and Technology confirms Thailand’s commitment to science and technology transition in his special talk on “Thailand in Transition” at JAPAN NANO 2015 citing the importance to research, development extension, and innovation to meet the needs of the manufacturing and service sectors.
In his talk Dr. Pichet informed that science and technology cannot stay idle when society is going through major transformation. He pointed out the five policy plans that will help set targets and strategies for achieving this transformation. First of all, the target increase in research and development to 1% of GDP for which the government would facilitate the private investment in research facilities and research centers, including the support for small and medium enterprises. Second, the manpower development will be top priority utilizing innovative measures such as STEM education, STEM workforce, work integrated learning for vocational and higher education, and talent mobility from public universities and research institutes to the industrial and business sectors. Third, technology transfer and local technology content will be in support of the investment in mega projects such as rail system, water management system, and energy projects especially clean energy. Fourth, facilitation and incentives provided to encourage private investment in research, commercialization and collaboration with universities and public research institutes. Fifth, investment and co-investment in modern science and technology infrastructure will be promoted in pilot plants, centers of excellence, testing facilities, as well as public and private science and innovation parks.
Dr. Pichet went on to say that rational society needs scientific thinking, effective transparency approach for which technology solutions can play a part, and science and technology should not be confined to scientists and engineers or a single institution, but inter-ministerial, public-private partnerships, outreach to citizens, and he urged the scientific community to join hand to promote science and technology transformation through international collaborations.
