NIA unfurls 'Innovation Thailand' road map

By Jirapan Boonnoon
The Nation

 

 

The National Innovation Agency (NIA) has unveiled a mission to power Thai development under the new Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.

 

The agency will operate as the “national innovation system integrator”, forging collaborations between academia, technology, industry, finance and other sectors to create real economic and social impacts. The new mission comes with a five-pronged plan: to reform innovation-related laws, build innovative regions, forge new innovative “economic warriors”, strengthen financing for innovation, and create awareness of “Innovation Thailand”.

 

“The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has declared the NIA will be responsible for manpower development, ecosystems and innovative infrastructure,” explained Pun-Arj Chairatana, executive director of the NIA. 

 

“This merging and restructuring of the new ministry is a turning point that will help drive Thailand forward. Competent manpower will help many sectors be prepared for future changes,” he added.

 

“Previously, we only focused on supporting innovative entrepreneurs through funding. … Now, NIA is ready to become the ecosystem builder and system integrator between partner organisations and entrepreneurs. 

 

“We have knowledge, an ecosystem, business ideas, open innovation development concepts, and new opportunities to share. This adjustment will also support regional innovation, lower barriers in accessing resources and services, and expand cooperation in other related target activities.”

 

The NIA’s role as innovation integrator has two dimensions, Pun-Ari explained. 

 

First is horizontal integration of supply-side development by creating a network of agencies which support innovation development in order to strengthen collaboration within the ecosystem. Second is vertical integration of demand-side development by connecting and coordinating with the private sector, civil society and stakeholders for innovation creation with economic and social impact.

 

To meet this objective, a fivefold plan will unfold between 2020 and 2023 to:

 

1. Reform innovation laws by reducing limitations and creating a conducive environment for the growth of innovations, such as improving laws on startups law and the use of technology and innovation in business.

 

2. Build innovative regions to raise equality and strong development in regional innovation networks. NIA will connect local government departments, universities, private sector and communities with three goals: a) Increasing innovation in the workforce, and raising the number of innovators and innovative organisations in the region; b) Developing target industrial clusters in the region to increase investment potential; and c) Supporting the innovation identity of the region in order to expand the investment in the innovation business of the region.

 

3. Building new innovative economic warriors, which will focus on creating innovators and innovation – especially those with global potential – to enhance the country's competitiveness. Creating a minimum of 20,000 jobs.

 

4. Building financing by stimulating support and investment from government agencies, large corporations, financial institutions, and also creating marketing plans for entrepreneurs.

 

5. Creating awareness of “Innovation Thailand” through cooperation and campaigns that promote global recognition for Thailand and Thais as a hotbed of high-tech and new idea.

 

Future-oriented strategy will be paired with concrete actions to support plans. For example, the Groom, Grant and Growth programmes will increase opportunities for innovative business development. Groom is an incubator for business entrepreneurs, Grant will support access to funding, while Growth will enhance innovation capability and create investment opportunities on the international stage. Meanwhile area-based organisation will take the form of innovation corridors, cities and districts. Lastly, the Startup Thailand programme will support new businesses by enhancing workers’ capacity for innovation via education at the NIA Academy, the Centre for Agricultural Innovation Business, and Innovation Foresight Institute.

 

Source: http://www.nationthailand.com/edandtech/30372591

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand  2019-07-09

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Another government agency from which we hear nice words but will see little by way of achievement. You can't have an innovative society without an effective education system; simple as that. There may be the odd exception (like the grandfather with his Elon Musk beating hand driven generator that we were told has the potential to solve the world's energy problems), but never on a scale large enough to justify the phrase "innovation Thailand".

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“We have knowledge

 

I stopped reading there...

"First is horizontal integration"

A-ha 

How can you expect innovation when students are not taught to think for themselves?

Thai innovation: don't ask questions; don't question tradition; don't criticise or even query the actions of your Betters; know who your Betters are; know your submissive and subordinate place in the grand scheme of things - and be proud of your innovative Thai freedom!

 

..... while still studying a 2nd Thai dialect of a national diglossia for all years of schooling, which is phonetically written as spoken, instead of more science and maths.... or any literary languages at all such as Chinese, Korean, Japanese or.... English.... as a third or 4th language let alone 2nd language.  with grammar rule memorization not being the end all on language studies, although it is a lot less work to assess with multiple choice "exams" than real language skills.

 

..... and not developing a love of learning, which means reading books, throughout all levels of the population, as everyone's favorite leisure activity.... not just young people doing "student" role playing.... and not just copying what is in them or leaving them open on the table to glance at from time to time... reading meaning lost in new ideas and perspectives.... "Western" or other.... all kinds of new thinking and..... innovation?

 

humans.... -- Chomsky.

 

how much of the general population at large is or is not "functionally literate"..... or "intellectual" as some of the lesser read folks refer to innovators as, sometimes some of us are famous on TV and become super duper like Elon.  but Elon simply reads.  same for Gates and......

Like the miracle generator?  Do these people ever tire of having committees; mouthing meaningless platitudes and achieving nothing?

4 hours ago, webfact said:

NIA unfurls 'Innovation Thailand' road map

 

Christ...another freaking road map.

 

If you want to see a real Thai road map stop by your favorite Nana bar and say you'll pay 1,000 Baht to any of the girls who can show you a 'road map' (phaen-thee).

 

Bring a lot of money.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, bangkokfrog said:

Another government agency from which we hear nice words but will see little by way of achievement. You can't have an innovative society without an effective education system; simple as that. There may be the odd exception (like the grandfather with his Elon Musk beating hand driven generator that we were told has the potential to solve the world's energy problems), but never on a scale large enough to justify the phrase "innovation Thailand".

Your comments re the relationship between education and innovation is spot on. Here is an extract from a story published in the Economist about Thailand's 4.0 objectives which sums up failings of the education system. It was written about 18 months ago. Unfortunately I can't provide a link as membership is required, however there is a reference to the UNESCO Global Education Report which can be researched.

The Thai education system is coming back to bite hard and seriously inhibiting the growth of the country.

 

Thailand 4.0: in sight but not in reach

Scarcity of skilled labour is a major disincentive to Foreign Direct Investment and an impediment to higher R&D spending. Although around half of secondary-school leavers enrol in tertiary education, the standard of education is low across multiple levels. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) released its 2017/18 Global Education Monitoring Report in October 2017. The report stated that at the completion of lower secondary education, just 50% of students had a minimum proficiency level in reading and only 46% in mathematics. It also stated that learning outcomes saw no improvement between 2003 and 2015. Compounding the skilled-labour shortage is the slowing growth of the labour force, which will begin to decline within the next decade.

When you have an educational system that discourages students from asking teachers questions, it stifles creative juices and innovation. 

 

This must change. The students (the youth here seem increasingly emboldened, which is a great thing) must challenge the system. Whatever the cost. 

 

Teachers afraid of losing face might have worked two centuries ago. This is 2019! Let’s get with the program. Move the nation forward? Gonna take some work and some boldness. 

why the plastic toys and soap in the pic, not very much innovation there, still they do have an 'ecosystem' that's nice then.????????????

Delusional Thai government speak at its best.  Spending lots of time in Shenzhen, there are almost no Thais that I have seen in Hau Chang Bei.  The Chinese may not be able to speak English, but many can read and write.   Few Thais have the opportunities of learn English.  Most technical information is in English.  Even if they are able to shore up the Thai market, Thais are not very effective outside of Thailand.  If this is going to be one of those xenophobic, Thai only ventures, it will fail.  Just look at the US and the number of foreign its tech industry employs.  No mention of the vast resources in Taiwan either.  Also, the word "hub" is missing. 

16 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

Delusional Thai government speak at its best.  Spending lots of time in Shenzhen, there are almost no Thais that I have seen in Hau Chang Bei.  The Chinese may not be able to speak English, but many can read and write.   Few Thais have the opportunities of learn English.  Most technical information is in English.  Even if they are able to shore up the Thai market, Thais are not very effective outside of Thailand.  If this is going to be one of those xenophobic, Thai only ventures, it will fail.  Just look at the US and the number of foreign its tech industry employs.  No mention of the vast resources in Taiwan either.  Also, the word "hub" is missing. 

This Shenzhen girl would put most Thais to shame when it comes to English ability her technical know how and inquisitive mind, not to mention her other assets! Thais have 11 years of being taught English at least.

 

Thailand 5.0 - Hub of Word Salad

3 hours ago, Hayduke said:

Christ...another freaking road map.

Thailand is the hub of roadmaps. Maybe time they created a roadmap for all these hubs!

2 hours ago, Hayduke said:

Christ...another freaking road map.

Which really raises an important and possibly messy issue: the 20-year National Reform Strategy plan that was institutionalized in the 2017 Constitution. It can only be altered by constitutional amendment by "super majority" of the bicameral Parliament. The "Innovation Thailand" road map sounds like an alternate national strategy plan.

 

The Junta-appointed Senate is responsible to review the Executive Branch's (PM & Cabinet) execution and performance of the 20-year National Reform Strategy plan.

• Shouldn't be a problem making changes as per the about to be endorsed Prayut new government because of the pro-military majority in the House and Senate - right?

There's now a significant opposition coalition in the House.

It might be able to block a super majority vote for proposed changes (assuming Prayut even submits such changes to the House for approval) and call for NACC investigation into abuse of power by the Senate if the Senate and House fail to assure strict government compliance of the 20-year National Reform Strategy plan with the Constitution. 

 

Like the what came first the chicken or the egg everywhere else quandary here its what came first the theft or embezzlement as the unfurling fades into the oblivion of a million unfurling's to justify salary's and existence????  

8 hours ago, webfact said:

“The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has declared the NIA will be responsible for manpower development, ecosystems and innovative infrastructure,” explained Pun-Arj Chairatana, executive director of the NIA. 

While the proof of the education system today are students graduating without a clue of how to anything except open FB.

If there were a charge for use of the word innovation or derivatives they might need to finance similar forthcoming pieces as it turned up 33 times in that article .. 

A bunch of crap.  Never any details as to HOW.  It looks like they copied this from somewhere and put Thailand in place of what was there before-more empty catch phrase junk