February 8, 2024 at the Auditorium, 4th Floor (En 18401), Wissawa Ruamjai 50th Year Building – Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University held the 5th Campus Tour activity under the Sandbox Project that will launch manpower in “Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics”, in the Northeast Region. Assoc. Prof. Maitree Inprasitha, Ph.D., Vice President for Education and Academic Service welcomed the participants, while Dr. Sampan Silpanat, President of Thailand Cooperative Education and Chairman of the World Cooperative Education, presided over the opening ceremony. Distinguished attendants included Assoc. Prof. Ratchapon Suntiwarakorn, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Asst. Prof. Angkana Boonyued, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, Khon Kaen University; administrators of the network institutions, executives of the joint companies. A lot of students and interested individuals also attended the activity, both online and onsite.
Assoc. Prof. Maitree Inprasitha, Ph.D., Vice President for Education and Academic Service, Khon Kaen University mentioned in his welcoming address that the concept of Sandbox Project is to produce manpower for the 4 regions all over the country. The goal is to unlock the country to step towards the Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics industry. This corresponds to a policy of Khon Kaen University in education transformation, especially the new paradigm. The University is now propelling new programs, new bodies of knowledge, and lifelong learning tools. Coop+ may contain some courses that can be categorized under Life Long Learning. Students will find it flexible when they get involved with Coop+. Khon Kaen University is pleased to cooperate in the implementation of the project until it becomes successful.
Dr. Sampan Silpanat, President of Thailand Cooperative Education and Chairman of the World Cooperative Education said that this activity would be a key strategic and intensive point in driving forward the Sandbox Project. Since leading companies in the world have been invited to join this project, employment of graduates will be secure and sustainable, resulting in Thai people become global citizens with high income, having challenging and fun jobs at companies which are pleasant to work. These are the keywords of Sandbox. The project will open for 3rd year students to apply, provided they are in the fields related to sciences. The committee will select applying students for an in-depth practicum for 6-9 months at the network companies. Students will receive direct experiences and intensive training, will be assigned with a challenging project, and received remuneration.
“This proves what the 3-year studies at the university are for. We will find the answer that this part of our lives can bring impact to the society, to the country and to the world. We will be a valuable person in the society. This is an important moment. It is time that we use the instructional mechanism in universities to build valuable people who will bring benefits to the world. These people are the future citizens who will lead the country to the sustainable point, to civilization and to become a wealthy country in the future.”
Assoc. Prof. Jeeranut Sngiamsak, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Sandbox program in Semiconductor added, “If Thailand is able to build the mechanism for developing highly competent people who meet the needs both in terms of quantity and quality, then highly competent manpower in Semiconductor would be well prepared to work in the industrial sector. This benefits the propulsion of national economy and will attract more international companies to invest in Thailand.”
The activities in the Campus Tour included giving information about special cooperative education program (Coop+), introduction of companies that join the project, occupational routes for students, Job fair, a forum on “5 Keys to unlock the country for Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics: the 5th key in strengthening national IC Design” with Assoc. Prof. Jeeranut Sngiamsak, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Sandbox program in Semiconductor being the moderator. Guest speakers in this forum included Khun Kan Opasjamraskit, Senior Manager for Business and Organizational Strategy, Silicon Craft Technology, (Public Company); Khun Seksan Jittanusat, Director for Product Testing Engineering, Analogue Devices, Co. Ltd.; and Assoc. Prof. Panawee Pokhai-udom, Ph.D., President of Mahanakorn Technology University. The forum shared information about the world situation and opportunities of Thailand, especially in IC design, the challenges and traits of required highly competent people, and the transformation in education to meet the emerging needs for manpower.
The Sandbox Project for producing manpower in Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics was organized both online and onsite in the 4 regions all over the country. This time, it was the 5th event of the Northeast. The Event was organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, the Office of the Permanent Secretary; the Office of National Science and Technology Development; Technology and Micro-Electronics Center (TMEC) and the National Council of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy; 16 network universities and 7 leading universities of Thailand in Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics. The objective of the event was to develop manpower in Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics, both in a short-term program and long-term program to upgrade the competency in the industry.
News: Jarunee Nuanboonma
