Kings of research

Kings of research

KMUTT teams with firms on new products

King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) has set a goal of becoming Thailand's leading university for research that is available to the private sector.

Some of the robots designed by KMUTT’s students are shown in May. PAWAT LAOPAISARNTAKSIN

Chaowalit Limmaneevichitr, vice-president for student development, said KMUTT has a network of large industrial and energy groups such as PTT, Siam Cement Group, Betagro, Mitr Phol and Western Digital to help students with research. The move is aimed at uncovering problems in operations and developing new products through research.

"We integrated many subjects from science and technology, engineering, architecture, medicine and marketing to solve problems," said Mr Chaowalit.

Most of the university's research relates to manufacturing, bioscience, computation, food, energy and medicine.

"We are close to business operators and have financial support in terms of patent fees and licences. So we certainly are among the best research universities in Thailand," said Mr Chaowalit.

Anak Khantachawana, assistant to the university president for international affairs, said KMUTT has had people exchanges with leading universities in China, Japan and South Korea over the last few years to develop human resources.

KMUTT's Smart Lab is a major player in research activity. One recent success was an engine that can generate power from recovered heat.

Other prospects include a nickel-titanium orthodontic arch wire with better efficiency than steel wire, a stimulator for cultured bone cells and a gum metal that could be used in bone replacement.

"In the future, KMUTT may earn revenue from patent and licence fees and position itself as a research university and not just a general teaching university," said Mr Anak.

KMUTT's revenue comes equally from the state budget, tuition fees and patent/licence fees. The university plans to raise master's and philosophy degree students to half of enrolment (from 33% now). KMUTT has 12,000 bachelor's degree students and 7,000 master's and philosophy degree students.

Plans also call for revamping education courses to have a more international scope.

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