Dr. Suvit Maesincee, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and his deputies visits Thammasat University. He has consulted with TU’s Directors about education in the 21st century on 30 July 2019, at Sanya Dharmasakti Conference room, Thammasat University, Tha Prachan Campus.
Dr. Suvit Maesincee, Minister of Higher Education, says that
TU spirit for the people is a powerful word that I want to keep it that way. Initially, Thammasat University is evolved from Open University and is going to adopt its original system. Therefore, being an Open University has to be Open Innovation as well. The most important thing for TU is to be a pillar university of an open society.
“Thammasat University has to be a pioneer university that creates thoughtful people to reform the country. I want TU to be a pillar of Frontier Research in both Social Science and Humanity field. Thammasat University must use its spirit to build an Open Society by changing My Society into We Society concept. Learning, teaching, and researching must conform to the concept of We Society. Education and research must coexist with people in the society for the future society.” Dr.Suvit said.
Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, President of Thammasat University, welcomes Education deputies and TU’s directors and committees that participate in the conference. She also display TU’s performance and proposes the university vision “Grooming Next-Generation Leaders for Thailand and International Communities”. TU aims to build the next generation of students to be well-adapted and have teamwork skills by cultivating TU spirit for students. She also presents 5 projects that TU has been working with.
1. Santi Prachatham Excellence Center
Santi Prachatham Excellence Center will apply knowledge of social science and humanities to cope with social problems and enhance happiness in Thai people. Currently, people are not pleased with their life and society. Family problem is one of the key issues that need to be solved. As a result, we build this research center to find out how to make people live their life happily. Therefore, knowledge of social science and humanities is used in the research to minimize pain and maximum pleasure in people. Also, it helps reduce inequality in society.
All in all, Santi Prachatham Excellence Center will deal with Ageing Society, Sustainability and Democracy.
2. Health Tech Solution Center
Thammasat University recognizes the importance of good health and wants Thai people to live longer. TU researchers create new practical invention and technology about healthcare. These inventions and technologies are guaranteed and approved from both domestic and international convention event. Moreover, Bualuang ASEAN Chair Professorship and Bualuang ASEAN fellowship project help support research work and bring TU good fame.
These two projects give funds to foreign researchers who have an outstanding performance in each field of study. These projects urge researchers to publish their work in international event and allow these researchers to be known in international eye.
3. Scale up Hub for Startups
TU encourages students to learn about entrepreneur skills by supporting Startup project. We aim to build new 1,000 entrepreneurs annually. This Startup project will focus on giving knowledge and skills. Therefore, Thammasat University intends to build Hub for Startup in various jobs for students in the future.
4. Thammasat Gen Next Academy
Nowadays, people can learn anywhere and anytime. Learning is boundless and beyond the classroom. Thammasat University has to deal with this rapid change and comes up with the new strategy by launching Thammasat Gen Next Academy. TU gives people an opportunity, including high school students, working people and retired citizen, to study courses that they’re interested in. Moreover, TU also offers an online course to conform to lifelong learning goal.
5. Thammasat-EEC center+Valley of Wellness
The area of Thammasat University, Pattaya campus for 565 rai is used to be a learning building for the Faculty of Engineering. Moreover, TU intends to utilize the area in Pattaya campus usefully for the benefit of people in the area. TU builds and converts area in a campus into Valley of Wellness including launching Lakeside Premier Complex project or Senior Complex.