Tokyo Tech News
Tokyo Tech News
Published: October 27, 2017
The TAIST-Tokyo Tech 10th Anniversary Symposium was held on August 21, 2017 at Chaophya Park Hotel Bangkok, Thailand, with nearly 200 participants from both industry and academia present to celebrate the 10th anniversary of TAIST-Tokyo Tech.
TAIST-Tokyo Tech (TAIST) was established in 2007 at the request of the Thai government. It aims to form research and development centers and produce talented technically innovative individuals who contribute to sustainable development. TAIST is being managed in collaboration with Tokyo Tech, the Thai National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), and four leading Thai universities, namely King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology of Thammasat University, and Kasetsart University. The total number of graduates now stands at 277.
Following opening remarks by Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul, president of NSTDA, and Dr. Yoshinao Mishima, president of Tokyo Tech, Dr. Somchai Tiamboonprasert, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, made a welcome speech on behalf of Dr. Atchaka Sibunruang, the Minister of Science and Technology in Thailand.
Opening remarks by Tokyo Tech President Yoshinao Mishima
An awarding ceremony for TAIST contributors followed. Representing Tokyo Tech were twelve members including successive presidents, executive vice presidents, chairpersons of the Steering Committee for TAIST, and directors of the Tokyo Tech Thailand Office acknowledged for their roles in the foundation and development of TAIST. Dr. Ken Okazaki, the first chairman of Steering Committee for TAIST, made a speech representing all of the awardees. Mishima presented a certificate of appreciation to the Thai awardees while Sirilertworakul handed a certificate of appreciation to Tokyo Tech's awardees.
Institute Professor Ken Okazaki
(right) with NSTDA President Narong Sirilertworakul
Thai and Tokyo Tech contributors to the foundation
and development of TAIST
Keynote speech by Ambassador of Japan to Thailand Shiro Sadoshima
Following the awarding ceremony, three participants provided keynote speeches. Dr. Kanit Sangsubhan, secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office, spoke about the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). H.E. Mr. Shiro Sadoshima, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Thailand, talked about the past 130 years of Thailand-Japan relations. Dr. Pailin Chuchottaworn from the Committee on Human Capital Development of The Public-Private Collaboration, who is a Tokyo Tech graduate, talked about "Industrial Contribution Towards Education for Thailand 4.0."
The memorable symposium also included a panel discussion concerning global education and research collaboration for Thailand 4.0, a long-term economic development vision drafted by the Thai government. Following Agrarian Society (1.0), Light Industry (2.0), and Heavy Industry (3.0), Thailand aims to create Thailand 4.0 by developing new industries using ICT technology. From Tokyo Tech, Prof. Katsunori Hanamura, current chairman of the Steering Committee for TAIST, joined active discussions on how academia can contribute to this policy.
Panel discussion
Tokyo Tech graduate Dr. Pailin Chuchottaworn
(front right) and other audience members
The TAIST-Tokyo Tech 10th anniversary symposium was brought to a close with closing remarks by Dr. Chadamas Thuvasethakul, executive vice president of NSTDA, and by Dr. Toshio Maruyama, executive vice president of Tokyo Tech.
Closing remarks by Tokyo Tech EVP Toshio Maruyama
Look out for TAIST's new activities, including an updated curriculum on rail transportation, which began this year. Raise your expectations high for TAIST!
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