Dr. Surachai Sathitkunarat, President of NXPO, delivered a special lecture at the General Assembly of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) and the General Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) – Thailand. His presentation, titled “The Strategic Role of Higher Education Institutions in Advancing Thailand’s Future Economy,” was held on 20 April 2025 at Khon Kaen University, and attended by university presidents and vice presidents from across the country.
In his remarks, Dr. Surachai emphasized the urgent need for higher education institutions to adapt to ongoing social, global, organizational, and technological transformations. He outlined key MHESI policies and support mechanisms for higher education, science, research, and innovation — covering policy frameworks, budget provisions, and incentive measures. Highlighted initiatives include the Higher Education Sandbox for innovative education models, the STEMPlus Platform for developing a highly skilled workforce aligned with industrial demands, and the University Holding Company mechanism to strengthen university-industry linkages. Additionally, Dr. Surachai discussed future adaptation strategies for higher education institutions to help bridge the gap between future labor market demand and workforce supply.
