Banpu Public Company has signed a partnership agreement with the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII) for research and collaboration. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 24 July 2020 by Ms. Jareeya Chirdkiatisak, Head of the Digital Center of Excellence, Banpu Public Company Limited, and Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Executive Director, Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation.

The MoU aims to promote joint research in the digital economy, artificial intelligence, robotics, sustainable development, energy, and technology. The agreement will help the exchange academic resources as well as support training and internships.

Assoc. Prof. Natcha Thawesaengskulthai, Vice President for Strategic Planning, Innovation, and Global Engagement, Chulalongkorn University, highlighted the partnership’s importance, stressing that the agreement will work towards digitization in Thailand. Research and innovation are crucial elements in development, and this partnership is expected to have commercial, social, technological, and environmental impacts, Dr. Natcha said. The MoU supports Banpu’s vision and will synchronize with the four specializations of ScII: digital economy and robotics, inclusive community and smart city, health and wellness, and sustainable development.

Welcoming the delegates, Dr. Pietro Borsano, a faculty member at SCII, said that the cooperation aims at having a positive impact on Thai society by enhancing digital transformation, sustainable development, and energy technology.

Ms. Jareeya Chirdkiatisak said that Banpu’s vision is to be an Asian energy company focused on innovation, technology, and sustainability. She stated that the MoU was significant because the industry develops when it works in tandem with social and environmental responsibility. Human development is a crucial factor in sustainable development, and Banpu’s collaboration with ScII can help build a foundation for a stronger Thailand as well as an innovative new generation of students. We wish to participate in capacity development, joint research, and knowledge exchange. We hope that this agreement will inspire students to innovate and open doors to new opportunities for them, she added.

Participating in the event on behalf of Banpu were Mr. Somyot Ruchirawat, Executive Advisor; Mr. Varoj Limjaroon, Head of Human Resources; Ms. Jareeya Chirdkiatisak, Head of the Digital Center of Excellence; Mr. Shatetha Terdprisant, Senior Partner and Chair, Indochina McKinsey & Company, Thailand and Myanmar; Mr. Sompong Phajunta, Digital Coach, Digital Center of Excellence; Ms. Bunyawan Kraikong, Digital Coach, Digital Center of Excellence; Ms. Thanita Nakarabandit, People Capability Development; Ms. Chutinart Srisuma, People Capability Development; and Ms. Passorn Janepojana, Corporate Communications-Branding, and Media Relations.

Banpu Public Company Limited is a leading integrated energy solutions company operating in 10 countries with three core groups of businesses; energy resources, energy generation, and energy technology.

ScII is the newest faculty established by Chulalongkorn University, Thailand’s top-ranked institution of higher learning. ScII currently offers a four-year undergraduate program integrating arts, science, technology, and business with the aim of achieving innovations. Before graduation, students are expected to complete a real-world start-up project focusing on one of the program’s four streams: Digital Economy, Robotics, and AI; Inclusive Community and Smart City; Sustainable Development; and Health & Wellness.

MoU Signing between Banpu and Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII).