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Human
Resources in Science and Technology
An
important problem faced by a developing country like Thailand is
developing the human resources necessary to create new technology
as well as to adopt and adapt imported scientific and
technological skills to the prevailing socio-economic environment
of the country. Although Thailand has a number of researchers
working in various universities, government departments, and
private organizations, the number is lower than in other more
technologically advanced countries. There are two aspects of human
resource development in Thailand which aim to increase the
scientific and technological manpower to a more satisfactory level.
The
first aspect involves the types of research being conducted in the
country. Although many Thai researchers conduct original and basic
research to extend the boundary of scientific knowledge, a large
number work only on the use of imported technology and equipment.
It is obvious that dependence on such technology from abroad
without attempting to modify or enhance it will prevent the
country from developing its own potential. Several government
offices are trying to promote original and basic research by
providing financial support to Thai researchers in universities as
well as other sectors. It is foreseen that during the last decade
of the century this will result in great improvement in the
quality of Thai researchers and scientists.
The
second aspect concerns changes in the Thai economic structure from
agriculture towards industry and changes in the development
concept away from increasing production volume towards improving
efficiency and quality. These changes require more modern and
complex production processes and management. This is especially
true of new industrial projects in petrochemicals, fertilizers,
electronics, and the like, which require manpower with a nigh
level of scientific and technological competence.
Manpower
development in science and technology in the country is the
responsibility of the educational institutions of the fovernment,
especially at the university level. At the vocational level, the
target is mainly to develop practical skills in manipulating
equipment and machines. Vocational school graduates are expectd to
be a major part of the work force in industry, while university
graduates in science and technology are expected to be the
developers and implementors in the country.
Due
to the high demand for graduates in science and technology, in
1988 the government increased the number of students admitted in
major fields such as engineering and technology by five percent.
At the same time, the Ministry of University Affairs also
permitted several private universities to expand their engineering
courses under the strict scrutiny of the Engineering Curriculum
Committee to ensure the quality of the graduates.
In
the recent past, it was difficult to encourage students to study
sciences because Thailand did not have many research institutions
and it was thought that science graduates had little option but to
become science teachers. Some science graduates found jobs outside
their fields and only a few wished to work for the government.
In
order to attract good students and to encourage graduates in
science and technology to work in the government universities and
research institutions, the government has launched a project
called the Development and Promotion of Science and Technology
Talent [DPST]. The main objective of this project is to provide
financial support to exceptionally good students, staring from the
Bachelor's Degree and going on to advanced degrees.
Technology
Transfer and Cooperation with Other Countries
Thailand
realizes that science and technology are the property of mankind
and are not limited to any particular country. At the same time,
the country recognizes the rights of intellectual property and is
a member of the Berne Convention on copyrights.
Thailand
has been importing technologies for industrial production for more
than 60 years from major countries such as the U.S.A., Japan,
Great Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, etc.
In the past such transfer was arbitrary and any company was free
to purchase equipment and technological know-how which were
considered profitable. This resulted in unnecessary loss of money
and the technology purchased might not fit the desired
technological growth. Recently,therefore, the government has
established a Technology Transfer Division within the Ministry of
Science, Technology and Energy to help promote more effective
transfer and provide guidelines on how one can get better profit
through suitable technological transfer.
The
increase in percentage of technological fees over the last decade
was 28 percent. Technology is, of course, a kind of commodity
whose value varies with economic expansion. Since it is impossible
for any country to develop all fields of technology at the same
time, it is natural that the suppliers are the price makers.
Thailand is aware of this situation and is trying to develop its
own technology with the cooperation of more advanced countries as
well as international organizations. |
