On 27 March 2025, Prof. Dr. Surin Khomfoi, Vice President of NXPO, participated in the 2025 Annual Conference of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NAC2025) at the Thailand Science Park. Held under the theme “AI-driven Science and Technology for Sustainable Thailand,” the event featured a seminar on “AI-Powered Semiconductor Ecosystem: Bridging Thailand’s Innovation Future,” where Dr. Surin served as a speaker.
In his presentation, Dr. Surin outlined Phase 1 (2026-2030) of Thailand’s National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Workforce Development Plan, initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI). The plan aims to develop over 80,000 highly skilled professionals and researchers within five years. He also highlighted key workforce challenges in Thailand’s semiconductor industry, noting that while the number of bachelor’s degree graduates is sufficient, their skills do not fully align with industry needs. Additionally, there is a shortage of both quantity and quality at the master’s and doctoral levels.
To bridge these gaps, MHESI is implementing several initiatives:
- Skill Mapping to identify industry-aligned competencies and minimize skill mismatches among graduates.
- Intensive industrial internships to enhance students’ skills before entering the workforce.
- Specialized semiconductor courses under the Higher Education Sandbox, developed by a network of universities to ensure both workforce quality and quantity.
- National Semiconductor Training Centers to drive workforce development and skill assessment.
- Targeted doctoral scholarships to expand the pool of highly skilled professionals and support the industry’s growth.
- A Virtual Faculty model to facilitate resource sharing among universities, enhancing graduate training and collaboration.
These efforts aim to strengthen Thailand’s semiconductor ecosystem, boost domestic industries, and attract foreign investment.
