Above from left:
Dr. Rungruang Limchoopatipa, president of the Software
Industry Promotion Agency
and Professor Said Irandoust, president of the Asian
Institute of Technology at the signing ceremony.
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the
Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) have agreed
to a five-year partnership agreement designed to strengthen Thailand’s
computer software industry and enhance its long-term competitiveness as
a regional technology hub.
Following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on 27 October
2008, AIT and SIPA agreed to a framework for collaboration and sharing
of resources and expertise on education, research, and knowledge.
According to the deal, both parties will jointly develop and implement
training programmes in engineering, technology, and management designed
for professionals in the domestic software industry.
Under the scheme, joint research projects between industry,
government, and academic institutions will also be explored.
Conferences and seminars relevant to the Thai software industry will be
jointly organized. Officials from both parties say the deal opens the
door for the creation of international linkages between academic,
industrial, and government partners world-wide.
Thailand’s software industry is expanding rapidly, and the demand for
technical expertise is growing faster the supply. Development of the
software industry is one of the key strategies of the Thai government
to bolster the country’s industrial competitiveness.
Founded in 2003, SIPA is an organization under the Ministry of
Information and Communication Technology of the Royal Thai Government.
Its mission is to enhance efficiency in the delivery of quality
services and product manufacturing in the software industry through
human resources development and employment promotion.
AIT, located in Pathum Thani, north of Bangkok, is an independent
postgraduate institution that offers advanced graduate degree
programmes in engineering and technology, environment and resources
development, and management. AIT’s capacity for research and
international networking place it in high demand by industry and
governmental agencies in Thailand.
Dr. Rungruang Limchoopatipa, president of the Software
Industry Promotion Agency, and Professor Said
Irandoust, president of the Asian Institute of Technology,
were the representatives at the MOU signing ceremony held on the campus
of AIT.
A group photo of AIT and SIPA
officials from left: Mrs. Wannapa Pliansri, AIT Royal Thai
Government
Relations Coordinator; Mr. Chalermcharn Yotviriyapnit, Business
Promotion Manager, SIPA;
Ms. Suwimol Taewasillachaikul, Vice President, Business Promotion
& Development, SIPA;
Dr. Rungruang Limchoopatipa, President of SIPA; Dr. Pritam K.
Shrestha, Head ERCO;
Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT President; Prof. Vilas Wuwongse, Vice
President for External Relations;
and AIT faculty members in the School of Engineering and Technology,
Dr. Matthew Dailey and Dr. Paul Janecek.
This information published in The Nation newspaper can
be seen at:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/10/29/technology/technology_30087118.php