Thammasat signs a Memorandum of Understanding to develop renewable energy technology and sustainable innovation, while promoting and supporting entrepreneurs at all levels.

Tuesday 5 March 2024

     Thammasat University and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, represented by the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), have signed a memorandum of understanding with PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR) at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to collaborate on research and development of renewable energy technologies and sustainable innovations in the fields of biotechnology, food technology, computer and electronics technology, metal and material technology, energy, and nanotechnology. Mr. Permsuk Sutchaphiwat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, attended the signing ceremony, together with Asso. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, Mr. Somboon Sahasithiwat (Ph.D.), Deputy Director of Research and Development Division, NSTDA, Ms. Kanchanee Udomkulwanich, Senior Executive Vice President for Petroleum Operations, OR, and the project's management team and researchers.

     Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, the Rector of Thammasat University, stated that Thammasat University aims to produce graduates in all degrees with knowledge and abilities in both theoretical and practical aspects in every dimension. The university has a team of professors and researchers who are experts with diverse experiences in various fields. Each one has the ability to cultivate and create innovations that align with the needs of the industrial sector.

     “Thammasat University has participated in the Reinventing University project, a cutting-edge global research development initiative since the beginning of 2023, driven by IJC-FOODSEC. Thammasat University anticipates that the collaboration between IJC-FOODSEC and the food industry, both domestic and international, will be a game changer in developing high-level human resources as a key force in national development. This will promote Thammasat University's excellence and establish its excellence on the global stage in the future.” - Assoc. Prof. Gasinee, stated.

     Mr. Somboon Sahasithiwat (Ph.D.), Deputy Director of Research and Development Division, NSTDA, also stated that there has been an elevation in research, development, and personnel collaboration exchange to promote fairness and inclusiveness across all specialized fields of the national research centers under NSTDA. These three organizations are working together to drive and support sustainable research and innovation. Currently, the collaborations are as follows:

     1. Development of a measurement system for analyzing ethanol in fuel oil at desired locations is a project collaboration between NSTDA, MTECH, NECTEC, and IJC-FOODSEC under the BioTech-TU-QUB program, funded by OR and led by Dr. Thanasas Suksrimuang, a senior researcher in material transformation innovation at MTECH.

     2. The Industrial Postdoc program, supported by PMU-B, is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Awanwee Petchkongkaew, a lecturer of the Food Science and Technology Faculty at Thammasat University. This program is conducted as part of the research collaboration between OR, MTECH, and NECTEC.

     3. The collaborative research project on increasing the value of coffee production waste materials is a collaboration between NSTDA, BioTech, and a research team from OR, led by Dr. Verawat Champreda, the head of the Bio-refinery and Bioproduct Technology Research Group.

     All three organizations are interested in collaborating on research and development in various fields, such as research and development related to food waste management from restaurants within the PTT gas station service area. Research and development in the coffee varieties for Amazon Cafe, which is a business within OR group and biotech research team.