ส.อ.ท. จับมือ มธ. ผนึกพลังพัฒนากำลังคน-นวัตกรรม ยกระดับอุตสาหกรรมไทยสู่สากลFTI Collaborates with Thammasat University to Enhance Workforce Development and Innovation for Thai Industry

On Monday, September 8, 2025, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) led by Mr. Kriangkrai Theeranukul, Chairman of FTI, and Thammasat University represented by Professor Dr. Supasawat Chatchawal, Rector of Thammasat, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Eastin Grand Sathorn hotel in Bangkok to jointly develop human resources and innovations, elevating the Thai industry to an international level through various collaborative activities, including curriculum development, research and development, training, and academic service.

Under this collaboration, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and Thammasat University will carry out key activities including:

•  Development of a curriculum on nutrition and food innovation for health (Food for Longevity) by integrating knowledge with faculty members from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Science, and Medicine at Thammasat University to produce graduates with high potential that meet the needs of the food and health industry, while supporting the enhancement of quality of life and longevity with good health.
•  Internships and cooperative education in the form of Problem-based Learning (PBL) to allow students to engage in real problem-solving in workplaces, learning system analysis, strategic planning, and solutions under the guidance of industry experts and faculty, to enhance modern professional skills that align with labor market demands.
•  Research and development (R&D) focusing on creating new knowledge, innovations, products, and services that resonate with current consumer trends while considering safety, quality, and environmental sustainability to elevate the industry to international standards.
•  Conducting training and capacity building for personnel in the industrial sector, covering various topics from management and product development to the application of innovations, to elevate standards, enhance competitiveness, and prepare for future changes.
•  Providing academic services to society through knowledge transfer, workshops, and creating collaboration networks between academia and industry to promote the practical utilization of research and innovation, leading to sustainable social and economic development.

Mr. Kriangkrai Theeranukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), stated that the Thai industrial sector is currently facing challenges in competition, technology, and skills development; therefore, it is necessary to adapt to new technologies, increase product value, and develop versatile skilled personnel.

“Investment in research and innovation is crucial for driving the country forward. The demand for high-skilled labor is increasing, such as analytical thinking, artificial intelligence (AI), and the use of big data,”

At the same time, Thailand has the potential in technology and biodiversity that can be leveraged across various industries, such as bioplastics, biofuels, biochemicals, biopharmaceuticals, future foods, and cosmetics, with expectations that the market for these technologies will grow significantly by 2030.

“Hence, the collaboration between FTI and leading universities such as Thammasat University will help develop curricula and training that align with the real needs of the industry, creating quality personnel and innovations that can be leveraged in both business and social contexts,”

FTI realizes that driving the country to grow strong cannot rely solely on advanced technology; it requires creative personnel capable of solving complex problems, aligning with the 4GO policy of the Federation of Thai Industries that aims to enhance SME entrepreneurs' competitiveness on a global scale. This includes GO Digital and AI to promote the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in production and management processes, GO Innovation to support the creation of innovations and new products to enhance competitive capacity, GO Global to encourage businesses to expand markets internationally, and GO Green to promote environmentally friendly production and efficient energy use.

“This collaboration will be an important new step in elevating human resources to access learning and training for essential skills through Reskill, Upskill, and New Skill curricula to create quality personnel capable of developing innovations in line with current and future global demands,” Mr. Kriangkrai further added.

Professor Dr. Supasawat Chatchawal, Rector of Thammasat University, stated that Thammasat University places importance on integrating academic knowledge with practical application by designing curricula that meet the needs of various sectors. These curricula will be delivered through practical learning, especially internships and cooperative education in the form of Problem-based Learning that allows students to confront real issues, think critically, and systematically solve problems.

The collaboration between Thammasat University and the Federation of Thai Industries not only aims to create curricula or joint research projects but also to open up avenues for knowledge and innovations arising from real societal and industrial problems, whether in digital technology, health food innovations, or sustainable management, which will help enhance students’ digital skills, environmental skills, and entrepreneurial vision. It is believed that hands-on learning and the creation of practical research will enable students, faculty, and the business sector to grow together, elevating the Thai industry internationally while creating positive impacts on society, quality of life, and sustainability in the future.

"We met with the Federation of Thai Industries to listen to the needs and expectations of employers to enable Thammasat University to develop curricula that respond to industry demands going forward," Professor Dr. Supasawat concluded.

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Published by
Corporate Communications Department, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)
Tel. 02-345-1051 / Email [email protected]

Corporate Communications Office, Thammasat University
Tel. 02-564-4444 ext. 1120 / Email [email protected]