Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (Thailand)
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| Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (Thailand) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation |
| Native name | กระทรวงการอุดมศึกษา วิทยาศาสตร์ วิจัยและนวัตกรรม |
| Formed | 2019 |
| Jurisdiction | Thailand |
| Headquarters | Bangkok |
Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (Thailand) The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation was established to consolidate responsibilities for higher education with science, research and innovation policy in Thailand. The ministry coordinates national strategies across universities such as Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and Kasetsart University, research bodies including the National Science and Technology Development Agency and patent authorities, and links to international partners like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Asian Development Bank, and the European Commission.
History
The ministry was created in 2019 during administrative reforms following political changes associated with the 2014 Thai coup d'état and the 2019 Thai general election, reorganizing functions previously held by the Ministry of Education (Thailand), Ministry of Science and Technology (Thailand), and agencies such as the Thailand Research Fund and the National Research Council of Thailand. Early leadership engaged with figures from Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and research institutes like the National Science and Technology Development Agency to implement mandates aligned with strategies from the Thailand 4.0 economic model and recommendations made by advisory panels which included members linked to the Office of the Prime Minister (Thailand).
Organization and Structure
Organizational arrangements integrate departments and agencies formerly under separate ministries: the Office of Higher Education Commission, research institutes, and innovation promotion units. The ministry supervises directorates-general that liaise with universities such as Thammasat University, Chiang Mai University, and technical institutes like King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi; coordinates with statutory bodies including the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) framework; and maintains oversight of agencies such as the National Science and Technology Development Agency and the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences. Executive leadership interacts with parliamentary committees including those from the National Assembly of Thailand.
Responsibilities and Functions
Mandates encompass policymaking for university governance affecting institutions like Prince of Songkla University and Srinakharinwirot University, research funding stewardship involving the Thailand Research Fund and regulatory functions intersecting with intellectual property authorities such as the Department of Intellectual Property (Thailand). The ministry sets national agendas in alignment with regional frameworks such as those of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and multilateral initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative where scientific collaboration is pertinent. It also engages professional bodies including the Royal Society of Thailand and accreditation entities tied to institutions like Mahasarakham University.
Institutions and Agencies Overseen
The ministry oversees the Office of the Higher Education Commission (Thailand), statutory research organizations including the National Science and Technology Development Agency, the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), and funding bodies such as the Thailand Research Fund. It provides guidance to universities spanning Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, Kasetsart University, Thammasat University, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Prince of Songkla University, Chiang Mai University, and specialized centers like the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences and the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC). Collaborative oversight includes links with the Ministry of Public Health (Thailand) for biomedical research and the Ministry of Commerce (Thailand) for innovation commercialization.
Policies and Programs
Policy portfolios include research grant programs administered with the Thailand Research Fund and strategic initiatives associated with Thailand 4.0, technology transfer schemes involving university technology transfer offices at institutions such as Chulalongkorn University and Mahidol University, and innovation accelerators collaborating with partners like the National Innovation Agency (Thailand). Programs target priority areas including biotechnology linked to the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences, digital transformation with inputs from Electronic Transactions Development Agency (Thailand), and clean energy projects coordinated with agencies like the Energy Policy and Planning Office (Thailand).
Budget and Funding
Financial allocations derive from the national budget enacted by the Cabinet of Thailand and appropriations approved by the National Assembly of Thailand, distributed to agencies including the Office of the Higher Education Commission, the National Science and Technology Development Agency, and universities such as Chulalongkorn University and Mahidol University. Funding mechanisms include competitive grants administered through the Thailand Research Fund and public–private partnership models engaging corporations such as PTT Public Company Limited and Siam Commercial Bank for innovation hubs and research commercialization.
International Cooperation and Partnerships
The ministry fosters bilateral and multilateral cooperation with bodies like UNESCO, the European Commission, the Asian Development Bank, and regional forums including ASEAN University Network and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. It negotiates student exchange agreements with foreign universities such as Harvard University, University of Oxford, National University of Singapore, Peking University, and joint research projects with institutions like the Karolinska Institute and the Max Planck Society, while participating in global initiatives such as the Global Research Council and patent cooperation under the World Intellectual Property Organization.