Academics urge technology transfer on high speed railway project

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) - The Council of the Engineering Deans of Thailand (CEDT) submitted six proposals to the government to allow technology transfer from the Thai –Chinese high speed railway project to universities for the country’s utmost benefit and ensure sustainable development of the railway system in Thailand. The Thai government invoked the Article 44 of the interim Constitution to expedite the first phase of Thai-Chinese high speed train project from Bangkok to the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima with an investment budget of 179 billion baht. In this regard, President of the CEDT, Komsan Maleesi คมสัน มาลีสี said that the CEDT, representing 61 university members viewed that technology transfer of high speed railway project should be carried out systematically and effectively for sustainable learning and development. The CEDT proposed that the government should promote technology transfer of the new high speed railway system to educational institutes. He said universities have curricula to serve the world’s rapidly changing technology and will disseminate knowledge to university students through researches and studies. He gave examples of China and South Korea, which have developed from technology transfer from foreign companies and become the world’s leaders in electric and high speed train industry in a short period. The CEDT handed in six proposals to the government. Those are adding conditions on technology transfer in the contract to be signed with China. The technology transfer should cover maintenance of railway tracks, carriages, power distribution system and power signal system. The testing center for high speed train equipment and technology should be established in universities to be the source of knowledge for engineering students. (TNA)