The National Innovation Agency (NIA), Thailand and the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aiming to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation and promote joint research projects and entrepreneurial ventures, especially in the area of deep tech.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Pun-arj Chairatana, Executive DIrector, NIA, and Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Executive Director, ScII, with Mrs. Theresa Mathawaphan, Deputy Executive Director, NIA, and Dr. Pietro Borsano, Deputy Executive Director, ScII acting as witnesses to the agreement.

At the agreement signing ceremony organized at ScII on March 23, 2023, the two parties also announced their intention to participate in capacity development, implementation of joint innovation projects, knowledge exchange, and human resources training and development. NIA and ScII also agreed to cooperate on coursework projects by ScII students and connect NIA initiatives with ScII student startup and foresight projects. The two organizations will also build a research and development network with leading national and international academic institutions, higher education organizations, and corporations.

Welcoming the delegates, Dr. Natcha Thawesaengskulthai, Global Chief Innovation Officer at Chulalongkorn University, stated that Chulalongkorn University came top in Thailand for eight consecutive years by QS World University Rankings. The university\'s stellar reputation and the MoU being signed embody the true spirit of innovation. The collaboration will contribute to a trajectory that is in tune with national as well as regional future aims and objectives, Dr. Natch said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Worsak outlined the future directions he envisions for the NIA-ScII cooperation and joint-innovation projects. He mentioned that ScII students have joined the Startup Thailand League Competition hosted by NIA, partnered with GEN Thailand to promote the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWS), with both organizations being part of the official Thai Government delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2022 hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Prof. Worsak added that ScII is currently offering a four-year Bachelor of Arts and Science in Integrated Innovation (BAScii), which is defined by five key characteristics: the speedboat mode, a transdisciplinary approach, an entrepreneurial mindset, an open platform, and global citizenship.

Theresa Mathawaphan, Chief Strategy Officer of NIA, highlighted the initiatives taken by the agency, where BAScii students can work on projects initiated by industry partners. NIA is very interested in venture creation and also provides grants for startups and support for incubation. Together with our partners in the industry, the two institutions will focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), deep tech, robotics, and immersive IoT. Their collaboration is set to take on the challenges that arise in the field of business, the environment, and the societies of the future.

Representing NIA at the event were Theresa Mathawaphan, Chief Strategy Officer, Dr. Chaiyatorn Limapornvinich, Department Director of Innovation Strategy, Chilla Na Suwan, Innovation Strategist, and Satita Hongloy and Thitaya Khukhantin, Innovation Counselors.