Alstom and the Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Engineering (Chula Engineering, Bangkok) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost Thailand’s rail industry development. The 5-year partnership between Alstom and Chula Engineering seeks to foster greater collaboration in local industry research and development, as well as educational and training programmes in this highly specialised field of railway engineering.
As the country becomes more urbanised, many public transport projects are increasingly being built within and beyond the capital city of Bangkok, and local railway expertise will continue to be in strong demand.
“The increasing demand for professional human resources following the transport development in many areas in Thailand has attracted students’ interest in railway engineering. The expertise of Chula Engineering, such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, and others, can help build the foundation and theories,” Prof. Dr. Supot Teachavorasinskun, Dean of Chula Engineering, said.
The agreement was signed during the Asia Pacific Rail 2022 held in Thailand for the first time and Alstom’s first in-person regional exhibition in more than two years. As part of its efforts to build up an industry-ready engineering pipeline for Thailand’s rail sector and the optimism for the Thai market, Alstom is looking to add 20% additional workforce to its talent pool by the end of 2022. With continued focus on hiring across the value chain from production to methods, supplies, and functions, the recruitment drive, being promoted at the exhibition, will be a mix of engineers, technicians, and data science specialists.
Over 20 Chulalongkorn University alumni across varied disciplines have joining the Group’s Bangkok hub in recent years and are involved in local and also international mobility projects. Today, the Bangkok hub has grown to become one of the three global engineering centres for Asia Pacific since 1997, comprising over 450 skilled engineers of whom 85% are made up of locals. Leveraging the synergies between industry and academia, the agreement will therefore serve as a practical platform for the Faculty’s engineering undergraduates to hone their railway skills while pursuing a degree. Readying the students to shape Thailand’s future of transport, areas of collaboration include internship and practical training programmes, amongst other academic activities.
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