Bangkok, Thailand, 4 July 2016 – The Rajamangala University of Technology (RMUT) and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to embark on an innovative Advancing Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) Programme to enhance higher education in Thailand. This three-year programme will be supported by Temasek Foundation, Singapore (TF) with a grant of S$551,385, while RMUT will jointly fund the remaining estimated project cost of S$405,700.
This Advancing CDIO approach will be adopted by the following universities in the RMUT network, namely Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL), Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTK), Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon (RMUTP), Rajamangala University of Technology Isan (RMUTI), Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin, Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, and Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, to transform the teaching and learning approach in higher education.
This is the second collaboration between RMUT and SP that is supported by TF. RMUT and SP first collaborated on a CDIO for Enhancing Engineering Education Programme in 2013. This new Advancing CDIO Programme aims to build on the foundation established by the first collaboration to further enhance the CDIO approach to enable students to become more effective professionals in conceiving, designing and implementing innovative ideas and solutions to meet the changing needs of the industry.
A series of training workshops will be held to train 250 participants from the nine RMUT universities in an overview of the Advancing CDIO Approach to Enhance Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. A select group of 50 will then be trained as specialists in the following:
- Mapping CDIO Skillsets;
- Enhancing CDIO Skillsets;
- Innovating CDIO Learning and Space; and
- Sustaining CDIO to Enhance Curricula.
To further multiply the learning, some 25 of these specialists will be trained as specialist master trainers in Advancing CDIO Approach and will further train another 200 participants.
Signing the MoU on behalf of RMUT were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prasert Pinpathomrat, President of the Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Numyoot Songthanapitak, President of Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sathit Puttachaiyong, President, Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, Assoc. Prof. Supatra Kosaiyakanont, President of Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, and Asst. Prof. Viroj Limkaisang, President of Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, while Mr. Tan Choon Shian, Principal & Chief Executive Officer signed on behalf of Singapore Polytechnic (SP).
Quote from SP CEO:
Mr. Tan Choon Shian, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Polytechnic said, “This new capability development programme in Thailand marks our second collaboration with the Rajamangala University of Technology (RMUT). The programme aims to share with RMUT how SP continues to develop and innovate on the foundation of CDIO to enhance teaching and learning in higher education so as to ensure our SP students are able to meet the needs of the industry in a rapidly-changing world.”
Present to witness the signing were Mrs Ratana Sriharun, Assistant Secretary to the Minister of Education, Thailand, Mrs Aurasa Pavavimol, Assistant Secretary-General, Office of Higher Education (OHEC), Ms Chadarat Singhadechakul, Director, Bureau of International Cooperation Strategy, Office of Higher Education Commission (OHEC), Mr Benedict Cheong, Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Foundation, Mr. Stanley Lee, Director of Programmes and Partnerships, Temasek Foundation, Mr. Lee Leck Seng, General Manager of Singapore Polytechnic International, and Presidents and Vice-Presidents of participating RMUT.
This is the second partnership between Rajamangala University of Technology, Singapore Polytechnic, and Temasek Foundation, Singapore.
