On 7 March 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Don Pramudwinai revealed that the cabinet has recently approved two proposals related to the higher education, science, research and innovation, one being the Draft Regulation of the Policy Council on joint investment on projects intended to commercialize research and innovation and the other being the establishment of the Office of Research and Innovation for Competitiveness and Area-Based Development (Public Organization).
The Draft Regulation of the Policy Council on joint investment on projects intended to commercialize research and innovation is designed to provide directives on the research commercialization investment for public universities, government agencies engaging in research and innovation, and any organization as designated by the Policy Council. Under this regulation, public universities, government agencies and designated organizations are allowed to make a joint investment through any of the following activities: 1) set up a joint venture, 2) set up a holding company, and 3) support the establishment and operation of the joint venture such as allowing their employees to perform research or work in the joint company, encouraging their students to conduct research and studies in the joint company, offering services of their infrastructure, research facility and scientific equipment to the joint company at free of charge or special-rate fees, procuring goods and services from the joint company that are listed on the Thai Innovation Catalogue and allowing their personnel that have previously resigned to work for the joint company to be re-employed while factoring the time employed at the joint company into the compensation consideration.
NXPO President Dr. Kitipong Promwong said that this regulation will enable research to create positive impacts to the economy and society by improving the competitiveness of the manufacturing and service sectors, increasing income, and strengthening tech companies, innovation-driven enterprises (IDEs), startups, and smart SMEs.
The Office of Research and Innovation for Competitiveness and Area-Based Development (Public Organization) will play a vital role in driving Thailand’s higher education, science, research and innovation. The proposed office will comprise: 1) a program management unit for competitiveness, 2) a program management unit for area-based development, 3) a program management unit for technology and innovation for future industries, and 4) a program management unit for the utilization of science, technology and arts. The first three program management units have already been set up as a sandbox under the auspices of NXPO, whereas the last program management unit is a new initiative to drive mechanisms to support the objective of the Thailand Research and Innovation Utilization Promotion (TRIUP) Act B.E. 2564.
The new office will help stimulate research investment in both the public and private sectors and encourage public-private partnership in research and innovation that will result in the competitiveness improvement of industry and community, sustainable economic growth, the creation of new growth engine, stronger community, and better quality of life for Thai people.
