MUT Appointed by MHESI as the “Main Operational Unit” to Bridge Thailand and the Netherlands, Partnering with the University of Twente to Drive Semiconductor Workforce and Research

Mahanakorn University of Technology (MUT) reinforces its leadership in advancing the nation’s high-tech workforce following its designation by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) as the primary operational unit. In this role, MUT will drive strategic collaboration between Thailand and the University of Twente in the Netherlands to advance human capital, research, and innovation in semiconductors and advanced electronics.

On June 16, 2026, Prof. Dr. Yotchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of MHESI, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MHESI and the University of Twente. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Panway Pokaiudom, President of MUT, signed as the representative of the core agency responsible for executing this partnership.

Under this agreement, MUT will serve as the central hub to coordinate and propel joint initiatives across three key pillars:

• Workforce Development and Education: Enhancing curriculum development, training, student and researcher exchange programs, as well as upskilling and reskilling initiatives tailored for the semiconductor industry.
• Advanced Research and Innovation: Focusing on photonics, power electronics, biosensors, and Lab-on-Chip technologies for application in future industries.
• International Network Building: Establishing joint research projects, collaborative laboratories, and partnerships with leading universities, research institutes, and global industry players.

Prof. Dr. Yotchanan highlighted the “Phase 1 Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Workforce Development Plan (2026–2030),” noting that Thailand aims to produce approximately 84,900 highly skilled professionals and 1,780 researchers. This initiative is designed to meet the demands of the smart electronics and robotics sectors, which are projected to require up to 226,000 personnel over the next five years.

“Human resource development is the crucial foundation of this strategy because infrastructure investment must advance alongside skilled engineers, researchers, and technicians,” he stated. “Thailand is fully prepared, having implemented flexible engineering curricula co-designed with the industrial sector, established national training centers, and provided doctoral scholarships to cultivate top-tier researchers.”

He further added, “This signing marks another significant milestone, reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to building a global collaborative network. Developing our workforce and research capabilities will serve as the bedrock of the semiconductor industry, which we envision as the country’s ‘New Growth Engine.'”

This collaboration reflects MUT’s capability and readiness to serve as a vital national mechanism for semiconductor workforce and technology development. It actively supports elevating Thailand into a hub for advanced technology industries and lays a critical foundation for the nation’s future economy.

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