Thailand and Netherlands Sign Two MOUs to Boost High-Tech Workforce
Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation signed two memoranda of understanding with the Netherlands to strengthen the country’s high‑tech workforce, focusing on semiconductors and advanced electronics. The agreements, witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Yoschanun Wongsa‑wasid and Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade Mr. Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, involve NXP Thailand, Siam Silica and will update university curricula, promote upskilling and reskilling, and support research exchanges. A separate MOA was also signed between Mahanakorn University of Technology and the University of Twente to deepen academic cooperation in the same fields.
Dr. Phanthumphengsak Aruni said the cooperation is a key mechanism for linking industry knowledge and expertise with Thailand’s education system, so that graduates and workforce development respond effectively to technological change and business needs. He stressed that students should gain academic knowledge, specialized skills and practical work experience, which are essential for preparing a high‑tech workforce.
Under the collaboration, the ministry will promote the development and revision of undergraduate, graduate and vocational curricula to match technological progress and labour‑market demand, covering semiconductors, micro‑electronics and advanced electronics. It will also support research and innovation, internships, cooperative education, upskilling and reskilling for students, researchers and industry personnel.
The partnership further emphasizes knowledge‑exchange opportunities for educators and industry workers, as well as shared use of equipment, tools and laboratories for teaching, training and research, thereby increasing access to resources needed for specialist skill development and encouraging learning that is closely tied to real‑world work.
On the same day, MHESI also signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Mahanakorn University of Technology and the University of Twente in the Netherlands to establish a framework for cooperation in education, academia and human‑resource development in the semiconductor and related technology fields. The MOA covers programme delivery, student and researcher exchanges, academic networking and basic research, opening opportunities for Thai staff and students to learn from foreign institutions.
These initiatives build on the official June visit to the Netherlands and Belgium by Prof. Dr. Yoschanun Wongsa‑wasid and MHESI officials, during which they held discussions and study tours with leading educational institutions to explore cooperation in education, research and human‑resource development in high‑technology sectors, especially micro‑electronics, photonics and advanced chip packaging (Advanced Packaging).
