Summary of Promoting cooperation in technical education between Thailand and India. by Mr. D.Devadas and Mr. Pramod M. Jain

Brief   :       India and Thailand both have some good universities and institutions for higher learning in technical fields.

How can we enable and promote greater co-operation between these institutions?



IIT Alumni Panelists :



-Dr. Sadananda, Vice President (research), Rangsit University.

-Dr. Sant Bhatnagar, Consultant (Applied Chemistry), Founder Member IITAAT

-Mr. A. N. Tiwari, (Usha Siam Steels)  and

-Mr. A.K.Sravat (Siemens Ltd.,)



Guest Panelist Speakers:

 
-Prof. Chira Hongladarom- Secretary-General,  Foundation for International
Human Resource Development

-Prof. Numyoot Songthanapitak-President of Rajamangala University



Moderator:



-Mr. A. Rego, Asian Disaster Preparedness & Management centre



- H.E.Ms.Latha Reddy, the Ambassador of India presided over the opening ceremony. She emphasized on the cultural links between India and Thailand. The two countries share family & social values, food habits etc. Both countries have excellent handicrafts. Our commonalities will help in forging co -operation in commerce, diplomacy, education and Human Resources
development. 



Prof.Chira : 


He admired the contribution made by several Indian Scholars. He served as Lead Shepherd of APEC HRD Working Group and during his tenure has requested Indian experts to speak about outsourcing. Thailand will benefit from
India's investment in Technical and Engineering HRD. He felt that a small committee should be established consisting of representatives from
Universities and HRD Ministries of both countries to create co-operation in Technical education. Recently he has proposed the establishment of ACD HRD Centre which will support Thailand and India Cooperation. 



*        Thailand has a historical weakness in Maths & Science and India is historically strong in these two disciplines. Co-operation in these two areas is needed. This can then expand into Science & Technology as well.

*        Promoting a Common HRD Committee to be situated in Middle East / SEA in which Thailand and India can be prime movers.

 
Prof.Numyoot :

 
*        Expressed initial keenness to co-operate with Indian Universities.

*        Invitation to IIT AAT members of various faculty to deliver Guest lectures at RMUTT (student seminars)

*        RMUTT has signed MOU 's with about 35 Universities around the world. (I saw the RMUTT Brochure : not even 1 University in India). RMUTT is willing to sign such MOU with any suitable Universities in India.



Prof.Sadananda : 


*        Most Teaching Universities want to change to Research Universities. Higher education can not be sustained without Research. Research is no longer an intellectual pastime. There is plenty of money in Research. Instead of Students pay to pursue research studies, the University should
pay students to do research. Indian Universities which are strong in Research can co-operate with Thai universities in Joint research. Exchange
programmes between Indian and Thai universities will be helpful to both



*         Sharing is necessary and possible. Digital convergence / IT / Net etc have narrowed the distances. It is now easier and faster for both sides to share resources, expenses, experience, knowledge etc.



*        Direct interactions are required sometimes : Visiting professors.



*        Bangkok is ideally situated (geographical) as a hotspot between the growing economies like ASEAN countries, Japan, Australia, India etc. Most companies schedule their meetings in Bangkok as it is cheaper, convenient
and has all required infrastructure.



*        Thailand and India have a lot of similarities and complimentaries.



*        AIT and some Indian Universities have contracted for Integrated Under Graduate / PG programmes so that Students can pursue Graduate studies in India and continue their PG studies in Thailand. IIM and AIT have cooperated for Management studies.



*        Royal Thai Govt and  Govt. of India have several co-operation agreements for Education, Research etc.



Dr.Bhatnagar: 


*        Professor to Professor Interactions between Indian and Thai universities, so students can avail of scholarships etc for higher studies.
Visiting professors / student exchange programmes between Indian and Thai universities



*        Creation of good National laboratories for R & D with India's assistance in Thailand.



*        A train's speed is that of the Engine's. So development of Management skills in Thailand is very important with Indian assistance.

 
*        There are good 'brands' like Chula, Sahasin, Mahidol, Thammasat, Kasetsart, Rajamangala etc. Indian Universities can co-operate with these centers of excellence.



Mr.Tiwari : 


*        Sharing of knowledge, resources etc can be need based between Thailand Indian Universities.

*        Should promote 'Lecture Series' in Thailand by Indian Academics and Achievers in fields like IT, Science & Technologies in various faculties.

*        Lecture series in India by Thai Professors / Researchers : say in Nano Technology etc.

*        Change of mind set is required on both sides. Instead of 'looking west', let us look towards each other. Thai students can study in India instead of USA, Australia, Europe etc. The cost of education in India is far cheaper in India. More and more Indian students can think of PG studies in Thailand : AIT etc.

*        Exchange programmes.



Mr.Sravat :

 
*        Financial Capital plus the HR Capital is the market value of any company.

*        Fundamental research is very expensive and capital intensive. Applied research is more practical.

*        Collaboration between Comparable Universities in India and Thailand

*        Linkages between IIT's / other Universities in India and Thai Universities

*        Shortage of Human Capital in Thailand (Instrumentation engineers, R& D Technologists) ; lack of numbers in Thailand and excess of numbers in India may be complimentary to each other

*        Engineering education is very cheap in India. Thai students should try Indian universities more and more instead of USA.

Points discussed by all panelists during panel discussion/summing up etc
after initial remarks: 


*        India is very strong in IT. India can assist Thailand in this field.

Common research, co-operation etc

*        Research can be funded by industries.

*        Indian companies like Birla Group in Thailand, big Thai companies etc can offer 'Internships' for Indian Students and large industrial groups in India can offer 'internships' to Thai students so that both sides will get some exposure to the other side.

*         Soft skills, Discipline, Artistic activities, Creative workmanship, perfectionism etc of  Thai students can be 'borrowed' by Indian educationalists.

*        Bangkok's unique 'Hub' location can be further developed by Indian companies, Universities etc as a venue for meetings, seminars etc.

*        Entrepreneurship development around IIT's in India - Incubators -can be a 'model' for Thailand.

 
Points that came up during informal discussions during lunch time / question
hour:

 *        Thailand should attach more and more importance to English language education in primary schools.

*        As Thailand is weak in Maths and Science, India's help can be sought for developing the Maths / Science teaching in Elementary, Primary,
Secondary and Higher Secondary (School) education in Thailand. This is a fundamental / basic and most important need. So we should discuss more about this than the Technical education and higher education as without this
fundamental improvement, the next step can not be achieved.

*        Thailand can take more and more English language teachers from India (who are very reasonably priced) rather than depending on expensive so called 'native' speakers / farangs to teach English in Thailand. Indian teachers are highly qualified and will be dedicated. As India and Thailand have similar culture and values, these teachers can achieve the targets much
faster without distractions.

*        Some Thai Industrialists of Indian origin have expressed some interest to invest in a Technical Education Institute in Thailand if any of
the IIT's or other such Universities in India are willing to collaborate. (IIT Thailand ?)



*        Many Thai Universities are willing to enter into MOU 's with Indian Universities and vice versa. This process should be initiated by the IIT
Alumini and ultimately, this may lead to mutual recognition of each other's curriculum and degrees etc.