Research and Development forms an integral part of NSTDA’s work. NSTDA research and development strategy is formulated such that the country’s needs are well addressed and efficiently managed to achieve the outcomes of practical benefit to the economy and society and to serve the nation’s long-term development.
Under Thailand 4.0 agenda, the Thai Government has set goal to utilize science, technology and innovation (STI) to drive the country with the following concepts:
Bioeconomy: Based on the strength in rich bioresources, STI is employed to fully utilize bioresources in major sectors including food, healthcare, energy and agriculture, as well as to guide the country to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Circular Economy: STI can provide solutions to extract the maximum value from raw material input and minimize waste and emissions in the manufacturing processes.
Green Economy: STI is exploited to achieve sustainable development without damaging the environment.
Silver Economy: STI is used to advocate policy and develop technologies and products to support aging society.
Intelligent Economy: STI is employed to facilitate digital economy, smart factory and smart society.
Sharing Economy: STI has potential to develop and facilitate platforms for the new economic model that focuses on sharing of underutilized assets to improve efficiency, sustainability and community.
To achieve the above goal, NSTDA devices the research strategy to set the framework for NSTDA research units and collaboration with strategic partners from both public and private sectors locally and internationally. The research strategy consists of 5 Research Pillars, 6 areas of Frontier Research and 10 Technology Development Groups (TDGs).
NSTDA conducts scientific research through its five national research centers. These five research centers are:
- National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC)
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)
- National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC)
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC)
- National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC)
Additionally, five centers were established as National Science and Technology Infrastructure (NSTI) and three centers were set up as focus centers. NSTI consists of National Biobank of Thailand (NBT), National Omics Center (NOC), NSTDA Supercomputer Center (ThaiSC), Technology and Informatics Institute for Sustainability (TIIS) and Thai Microelectronics Center (TMEC). Three focus centers are Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Center (A-MED), National Security and Dual-Use Technology Center (NSD) and Rail and Modern Transports Research Center (RMT).