On 23 February 2026, NXPO welcomed a delegation from the Australian Embassy in Thailand. The delegation comprised H.E. Mr. Andrew Egan, Minister and Permanent Representative of Australia to UNESCAP; Ms. Hwei-See Kay, Second Secretary (Economic); and Ms. Watinee Kharnwong, Director (Education). The NXPO delegation was led by Dr. Surachai Sathitkunarat, President, and included Prof. Dr. Surin Khomfoi, Vice President; Dr. Karantarat Nakwa, Assistant to the President; and Dr. Pranpreya Sriwannawit Lundberg, Director of the International Policy Partnership. The meeting aimed to discuss directions for advancing Thailand’s policies and strategies in higher education, science, and technology, and to explore opportunities for strengthened bilateral collaboration.
Dr. Surachai provided an overview of Thailand’s higher education, science, research and innovation system, outlining NXPO’s role as secretariat to the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council. In this capacity, NXPO is responsible for formulating policy recommendations and advancing enabling mechanisms, platforms, ecosystems, and regulatory reforms to enhance the agility and effectiveness of Thailand’s higher education and science landscape. Its strategic priorities include strengthening national competitiveness, uplifting the grassroots economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the proportion of high-skilled labor, and elevating Thai universities to global standards.
He also highlighted NXPO’s role as host of the APEC Center for Technology Foresight (APEC CTF), the first and only institution in Thailand officially recognized by both APEC and the Thai Government. APEC CTF applies foresight tools to support evidence-based policymaking and enhance preparedness for future transformations.
Prof. Dr. Surin presented key findings from the Thailand Talent Landscape 2025–2029, a comprehensive survey assessing demand for high-skilled personnel in targeted industries. Conducted by NXPO, the study provides an in-depth database of high-demand occupations and skills in Thailand and can be linked with data from Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA). He also highlighted workforce development initiatives driven by NXPO, including the Higher Education Sandbox.
Dr. Pranpreya shared examples of ongoing collaboration between NXPO and Australian partners, including the Thailand–Australia Innovation in Food for Sustainability (IF4S) program. The initiative is jointly implemented by NXPO, the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC), and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), with support from the Australian Government. The program aims to advance sustainable future food innovation and deepen bilateral research cooperation. She also highlighted NXPO’s participation in the “AI for Social Good: Strengthening Capabilities and Government Frameworks in Asia and the Pacific Summit,” organized by Australian National University (ANU), UNESCAP, and Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), among other regional partners. The summit serves as a platform for dialogue among implementing agencies, research teams, and government stakeholders.
The Australian Embassy delegation expressed strong interest in NXPO’s initiatives, particularly in shared priority areas between Thailand and Australia, including workforce development, future food, environmental sustainability, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and public health. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to exchange insights and identify pathways for future collaboration.
