Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), chaired a meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Capital Enhancement and Technology Development on 14 September 2026. Participants included Dr. Surachai Sathitkunarat, President of NXPO, serving as a subcommittee member; Prof. Dr. Surin Khomfoi, Vice President of NXPO, serving as a subcommittee member and secretary; Ms. Sudhasinee Smitra, Deputy Secretary-General of the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI); and Asst. Prof. Dr. Poolsak Koseeyaporn, Vice President of the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), serving as a subcommittee member and assistant secretary. Representatives from government and private-sector agencies also attended the meeting.
The meeting presented an approach for advancing the country’s human capital and technology development, with the goal of increasing productivity and creating a new growth engine through the application of science, technology, and innovation alongside human capital development. Seven working groups were proposed to develop policy recommendations and measures in seven areas: 1) Social Sciences and Humanities; 2) Smart Electronics and Digital Technology; 3) Future Automotive; 4) Innovation Ecosystem and Startup Promotion; 5) Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare; 6) Advanced Agriculture and Food; and 7) Creative Economy.
The presentation also covered three flagship programs supporting the work of the Subcommittees: 1) Harmonized Education Framework; 2) Education Data Intelligence; and 3) National Credit Bank System (NCBS).
The meeting approved the proposed approach and the establishment of the seven working groups. The groups will examine the current situation across human capital development, technology, research and innovation, and relevant ecosystems, and develop policy recommendations and measures that align with the context and needs of each sector. These efforts are expected to contribute to higher national productivity and the development of a new growth engine for the country.
