Bangkok: The Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) has partnered with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) to enhance the investment ecosystem in special target industries, with a focus on developing manpower to support these industries in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Chula Sukmanop, Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee, and Dr. Surachai Sathikunarat, Director of NECTEC, formalized their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU aims to monitor technological advancements in special target industries within the EEC, promote investments in advanced technologies, and enhance research and development networks across the country.
Dr. Chula Sukmanop highlighted that the MOU outlines three main collaborative activities between OVEC and NSTDA. These include assessing the potential of special target industries in the EEC and supporting policies related to technology investments, promoting cooperation between the private sector and educational institutions to support advanced technology investments, and developing a database of skilled labor to align with the private sector's needs.
The Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) will prioritize manpower development to meet the nation's needs. This initiative will be driven by NSTDA's guidelines, focusing on high-skilled manpower for manufacturing and service sectors. The Manpower Development Policy aims to reform higher education supervision, while the STEM Plus platform targets high-level positions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, covering industries like biofuel, aviation, digital, medical, and robotics. Over 10,684 new jobs have been created, and 445,967 individuals have completed training programs under this initiative.
Dr. Surachai Sathikunarat emphasized NSTDA's mission to set policies for human resource development in target industries. This involves formulating and adjusting policies, prioritizing high-skilled human resource development through educational innovations, creating platforms for skill development in STEM Plus sectors, and setting targets for high-skilled human resources. The collaboration with EEC is seen as a proactive step to meet the demands of the manufacturing and service sectors, positioning the EEC area as a pivotal manufacturing and service hub for the country.