On 3 August 2018, Dr. Omjai Saimek, NSTDA Vice President, joined Ms. Pirada Techavichit, Representative of the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI Office) at the opening of Fabrication Lab Training Workshop held at STEM Lab of Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Chonburi. Fabrication Lab or
Fab Lab is part of the initiative of Ministry of Science and Technology to expand STEM Workforce to support upcoming hi-tech industry that are being strengthened by Thailand 4.0 agenda.
Thailand 4.0 is the Government’s vision to transform the nation to an innovation-based economy. Recognizing that innovation is fueled by the skills and creativity of the workforce, the Ministry of Science and Technology took an initiative on STEM Workforce focusing on grooming high school and university students for careers in innovations. STEM LAB project was initiated by STI Office to help students acquire the STEM knowledge necessary to support a long-term commitment of creative economy through an establishment of STEM Lab where students can unleash their creativity and skills in design, research and engineering and physically create innovations in schools. Since 2017, STEM Labs have been built in two Princess Chulabhorn Science High Schools. They are equipped with instruments, such as a laser cutting machine, a 3-D printer, analytical and measuring devices, electronics tools and safety equipment, enabling students to build science projects
Complimentary to the infrastructure established by the STEM Lab project, Fab Lab is spearheaded by NSTDA to focus on the capacity building and manpower development aspects of STEM Workforce initiative. Overall, Fab Lab is expected to involve 15,000 students in high schools and vocational schools, 800-1000 teachers and lecturers, and 150 schools across the country. It is anticipated that the project will create at least 150 marketable innovations and 300 innovations entering the regional, national and international contests. It hopes to inspire 50 percent of participating students to study engineering in college.
This 3-day Fabrication Lab Training Workshop was attended by 30 university lecturers. They were drawn from 10 universities participating in Fab Lab program, namely Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Burapha University, Chiang Mai University, Thammasat University and Prince of Songkla University.
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