Over 400 startups are ready to show their potential to investors from around the globe…
Regarding the speculation that the government wants to axe the Science and Technology Ministry, Suvit Maesincee the MoST’s Minister denied that it is a misunderstanding, the fact is that the government has planned to merge the MoST with the Office of Higher Education Commission (OHEC) and other research agencies to support the country’s Thailand 4.0 strategy.
The new ministry may be named either the Ministry of Research and Higher Education or The Ministry of Science & Technology and Higher Education.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-chีa has demanded the new minister to be officially operating before the new election in a bid to see the new function of new ministry can address the people issue immediately, said Mr Suvit.
The new ministry is the way forward to the future country development by leading with the sciences and technology similar to developed countries where they have combined the functions in research, science and education under the same ministry, such as Japan, France, the United Kingdom and Germany.
There are reasons behind the move included the new ministry will prepare people to be ready for the digital era, not only the labour but also the entrepreneurs either tech-driven startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It also targets to upgrade the agriculture sector to achieve a smart farmer plan, and the last reason is that move is responding Thailand’s new S-curve economy strategy.
“To achieve the goal, we need to find the best solution for improving our people and technology as soon as possible,” said Mr Suvit.
Also, previously the Ministry of Education has had an idea to separate the OHEC from the ministry in a bid to clarify its role, while the MoST’s role in supporting the Thailand 4.0 strategy does not yet clear.
Also, the researching agencies under the MoST have been scattered and functions overlapped.
“The move of the government is aiming at reorganising those related agencies with the clear roles and duties, with using the new ministry as a tool to support the 4.0 strategy.” Said Mr Suvit.
The initial framework for the new ministry is categorised into four divisions; the first one is a policy planning the research budget for science, human development, social science and to collaborate with the international community.
The second one is a division of the academy of science. It would be similar to the Chinese Academy of Sciences which gathers all agencies concerning research and sciences like satellite, astrology, nuclear and synchrotron to be operating under the single academy.
The third one is the university that is focusing on research covering all the matters concerning sciences.
The fourth is the function to govern university located across the country to provide access to higher education to people in the provinces as known as Ratjabhat Institute.
The merger between MoST and OHEC should not have an impact on the high ranking officials working for them as they plan to manage the new ministry in a modern way.
“It should be easier to set up the new one and dissolve the duplicated function.” Said Mr Suvit.
MOST POPULAR
