The University of Strathclyde welcomed senior representatives from 12 of Thailand’s leading Universities, together with delegates from Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC), for a week-long visit focused on sharing ideas on building innovation ecosystems.
The discussions focused on the role of universities in promoting innovation, alongside public, private and community partners, and drew lessons from across the Glasgow City Innovation District and Advanced Manufacturing District Scotland.
The participants saw examples of collaborations between Strathclyde and partners including the City Council, Scottish Enterprise and the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.
Gillian Docherty, Chief Commercial Officer at Strathclyde, said: “As a leading international technological University, we believe global engagement is crucial and collaboration around innovation ecosystems can achieve mutual advantage. We are delighted that what is being achieved in Glasgow has been recognised internationally.
“We are confident of new ideas being developed and achieving commercial results internationally. We have made new friends from Thailand as part of this very significant initiative".To have welcomed senior leaders from such institutions, not only demonstrates the international reputation of Strathclyde, but gives us a platform to develop and grow these connections.
The collaboration has been supported by the Thai Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC).
PMUC has a mission to administer research funding to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness. It does this by fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors in Thailand in both international and domestic sectors, as well as advancing research outputs to market.
PMUC has many international partners and have chosen to collaborate in the UK with Strathclyde.
Associate Professor Dr Chaleeda Borompichaichartkul, Acting Deputy Director of PMUC, said: “We looked across the world to identify new international collaboration partners for innovation. What we have seen at Strathclyde shows strong leadership and culture of building entrepreneurship that is special in this city and across the country.”
Assistant Professor Dr Akkharawit Kanjana-opas, Senior Advisor of PMUC, said: “The warmth of the welcome means that not only can we learn from what is happening in Scotland, but we have found willing partners to grow together".
Innovation is the source of new ideas and we think this collaboration will be of value in both Thailand and the UK.
Professor Dr Sansanee Chaiyaroj, leader of the Thai delegation, said: “We very much look forward to the continued development of this relationship with Strathclyde and the local partners”.
During the course of the week, the delegation visited a number of partners and activities, including the new Glasgow Social Hub, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, the Glasgow Science Centre and a number of companies and other partners.
