Thailand Nurtures University Entrepreneurs for Global Competition
Thailand's education ministry is backing student entrepreneurs through the ELP program, which pairs university innovators with international mentors to transform research into market-ready products across 16 regional science parks.
On July 23, Dr. Phanthup Arunee, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), officially opened the national-level pitching and interview competition for the ELP (Experiential Learning for Entrepreneurs) program. The initiative partners MHESI with 16 regional science park universities across Thailand, including Chiang Mai University, Khon Kaen University, Suranaree University of Technology, and Thammasat University, among others.
The ELP program, now in its fourth year, aims to cultivate student entrepreneurs who can transform research, technology, and innovation into marketable products and services. Participants develop critical skills including analytical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and data-driven decision-making through hands-on experiential learning both domestically and internationally. Dr. Phanthup explained that the program emphasizes real-world market validation and mentoring from international business partners.
For 2025, the program has intensified its selection process across three tiers—university, regional, and national levels—to identify 25 high-potential entrepreneurs from approximately 540 nationwide applicants. The current pitching and interview sessions serve not merely as competition but as a critical feedback opportunity for participants to receive expert guidance and demonstrate their capacity to drive sustainable economic and social impact through their ventures.
