On 21 October 2025, Professor Emeritus Borwornsak Uwanno, Deputy Prime Minister, presided over the meeting of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council. Also in attendance were Mr. Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and Vice Chair of the Council; Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, MHESI Permanent Secretary; Dr. Surachai Sathitkunarat, President of NXPO and Secretariat of the Council; along with senior executives and appointed experts.
The meeting adopted several important resolutions and policy recommendations, ranging from flood management and workforce development to upgrading high-tech industries and introducing tax measures to stimulate an innovation-driven economy.
Minister Surasak report on MHESI’s flooding management efforts in the South. He noted that flooding had directly disrupted teaching and learning activities at higher-education institutions, as well as the TGAT/TPAT examinations scheduled for 13–15 December, as many test sites were affected. MHESI and the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) are considering postponing exams in impacted areas. The ministry also proposed tuition-fee refunds for flood-affected students — a measure requiring Cabinet approval— as well as assistance for local workers through job placement and upskilling/reskilling programs.
Prof. Borwornsak expressed support MHESI’s efforts and emphasized that Thailand still lacks a unified flood-management system, citing the recent flooding in Hat Yai as evidence of insufficient preparedness. He instructed MHESI and relevant agencies — including Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) and the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) — to take the lead in urgent coordinated action. This includes drawing lessons from the current situation and from countries with effective flood-management systems, such as Japan, potentially by inviting foreign experts for consultation; developing preparedness handbooks for government agencies and the public; and integrating disaster-related data through a data-exchange system linking government agencies with community volunteer groups, as proposed during the meeting.
“The lessons and policy recommendations should be completed within three months. A major concern is that if Bangkok were to face severe flooding, the damage could reach trillions of baht. Serious advance preparation is essential,” Prof. Borwornsak stressed.
Dr. Surachai presented the concepts for drafting the new Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy and Strategy Framework (2028–2032), which will succeed the current plan ending in 2027. The framework is guided by the mission-oriented innovation policy (MOIP) approach introduced by the OECD to address complex national challenges such as climate change, an aging population, inequality, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It features clearly defined themes and measurable missions and introduces a new policy-deployment system spanning national policy and agency-level action plans.
Dr. Surachai also outlined the approach for leveraging higher education and science to drive Thailand’s strategic industries. NXPO, together with relevant agencies, has developed the Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Industry Development Framework (2026–2032) and the Biotechnology Industry Development Framework (2026–2035). These frameworks aim to position both industries as national priorities, strengthen the competitiveness of Thai enterprises, and enable Thailand to develop and eventually export its own technologies.
He further introduced a “Quick Big Win” proposal: reinstating the 300% corporate income tax deduction for R&D expenditures. During 2015–2019 , the incentive proved effective in encouraging private-sector R&D investment and generating positive impacts— including higher profits, increased sales, and greater employment value. After the incentive expired, however, private-sector R&D investment declined, leading to a nationwide drop in total R&D expenditure. The Council therefore resolved to submit the proposal to the Cabinet for consideration.
Prof. Dr. Supachai presented a proposal to extend the Next Generation Higher Education Program (2027–2031). The Council approved the proposal, which will support the development of highly skilled human capital through reskilling, upskilling, and new-skill training; enhance skills-assessment systems (micro-credentials / alternative transcripts); and establish a workforce-management platform to meet labor-market demand for high-skill, job-ready talent.
