Rail Technology Research and Development Agency (Public Organization) or RTRDA signed an MOU with Khon Kaen University as the first MOU partner, and has selected KKU as the key organization in engineering for development of Isan rail system technology and innovations that will lead to economic system development of all sectors and hence benefits to the country.
Friday September 8, 2023 from 09:00 – 10:30 a.m. at Sarasin Room, Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University – an MOU signing ceremony was held for the development of rail technology innovations of the country, between the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency (Public Organization) or RTRDA and Khon Kaen University. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University welcomed the distinguished guests and signed the MOU on KKU’s part while Assoc. Prof. Chotechai Jaroenngam, Ph.D., Chairman of the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency Committee explained about the rationale behind this MOU. Among witnesses of the two parties were: Assoc. Prof. Chuchat Kamollert, Ph.D., DVM., Director of the Academic Service Office; Assoc. Prof. Ratchapon Santiwarakorn, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; and Assoc. Prof. Chupong Thongkhamsamut, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, from Khon Kaen University. Asst. Prof. Santi Jaroenpornpatana, Ph.D., RTRDA Director signed on the part of the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency (Public Organization) or RTRDA, with Assoc. Prof. Wasan Teerajetkul, Ph.D., Advisor of RTRDA witnessing the MOU signing. The other very distinguished witness was Prof. Prinya Chindaprasert, Ph.D., former KKU President. A number of administrators, lecturers, and news correspondents attended the ceremony.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said that it was an honor of Khon Kaen University that the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency sees the importance of the development of the Center for Testing Quality and Standard of infrastructural products for rail system and the importance to connect to network organizations with various systems for quality and standard tests in the Northeast. RTRDA opens up a chance for Khon Kaen University to take part in collaboration for research and development of technology and supports the utilization of the developed innovations in the country, as well as collaboration in the transfer and exchange of knowledge, research and rail system technology among the organizations, especially on the part related to the framework, methodology and equipment used in developing technology and products in the country. The MOU will lead to collaboration in development of potentiality and skills of relevant personnel in research and development of the rail system.
Assoc. Prof. Chotechai Jaroenngam, Ph.D., Chairman of the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency Committee explained that RTRDA under the Ministry of Communication is pleased to sign an MOU with Khon Kaen University. RTRDA is the first research development organization founded from the necessity seen by the country to extend the rail infrastructure all over the country and to implement works related to the technological development that is in the same direction. The Ministry therefore founded the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency (Public Organization) to deploy the work and to be the mediator in connecting major and relevant organizations of the country.
In the past, the Ministry emphasized construction that would be the asset of the Ministry, including roads, railways, airports, which totaled many hundreds of million baht. The assets of railway systems of SRT and SRM are not small. If we perform only 1% of efficient research and development, the payback will amount to tens of thousands of million baht. This is the reason why we should see the importance of research and development. It was not until Assoc. Prof. Wasan Teerajetkul, Ph.D., the advisor of RTRDA came to visit Isan research on rail system and had discussion with Khon Kaen University when we came to the conclusion that it is time to have Khon Kaen University as the principle pillar for engineering and integration of different sciences including architecture and economics. The target would be cooperation among these institutions with KKU as the center for development of standard, a center for transfer of overseas technology, and a center for developing different products related to the rail system. The end results expected will be real utilization, transfer of technology and knowledge arisen from research that will lead to Local Content and economic development of all sectors in Isan and the country. There will be collaboration for development of competency and skills of personnel from research and developmental works. This is the most important goal for deployment of technological development that relies on the rail system as the national development core. The first starting institution is Khon Kaen University and this is the rationale behind the MOU signing between RTRDA and KKU today. Both parties will join to work towards achievements and benefits for the country in the future.
Khon Kaen University by the Academic Service Office, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Architecture are the key institutions with the roles to support and promote research and development of rail system technology. KKU is the center with experts in rail system who are knowledgeable and capable in research and development of products for the rail system technology, in transfer and exchange of research and development related to rail technology and in staff development through training. With the present bodies of knowledge, experience and existing infrastructures, Khon Kaen University is potential to promote and support research and development of rail system technology and to build innovations related to the country’s rail system.
The MOU is aimed at building collaboration to develop the Test Center for Quality and Standard of infrastructure products in the rail system that has been ongoing and will be more developed and extended in the future. The aim includes connection to the network organizations in the Northeast having the testing system for different qualities and standards. This is to support services in testing, research and technological and innovation development for commercial benefits.
News / Photos: Benjamaporn Mamook
