Bangkok: Highlighting 5 outstanding Quick Win projects from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation: 60 days of success: “Drones for Half and Half Plus – Science Conquering Flood Disasters in the South – Upskill and Reskilling to Help the Unemployed – AI Love U Accelerating Thailand’s Future”
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Surasak Pancharoenworakul, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), held a press conference titled “Quick Win MHESI: 60 Days of Success.” The event was attended by Ms. Pimporn Chiwanan, Secretary to the Minister of MHESI; Prof. Dr. Supachai Patumnakul, Permanent Secretary of MHESI; Ms. Waraporn Rungtrakarn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of MHESI; Dr. Phanpermsak Arunee, Assistant Permanent Secretary of MHESI; and executives from MHESI agencies.
Mr. Surasak stated that after his policy statement upon assuming office as Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation on October 6, 2025, he would expedite the implemen
tation of the Quick Win policy to achieve tangible results for the public as quickly as possible. Today, exactly two months or 60 days have passed, he has successfully implemented the announced Quick Win policy. He requested that the project be divided into five groups. The first group, “Drones for Down-to-Edible Research,” is implementing the “Drones for Half-Half Plus to Smart Farming” project to support the agricultural sector, which comprises the majority of the country, by achieving four benefits: reducing production costs, labor, working time, and chemical health risks; and four benefits: increasing yields per rai, increasing farmer income, increasing spraying/sowing accuracy, and improving farmers’ quality of life. The Drones for Half-Half Plus project launched on December 2nd, piloting in three provinces: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, and Pathum Thani. Over 3,300 farmers benefited, covering an area of 100,000 rai.
The second group, “Science Conquers Disaster,” addressed the southern flooding s
ituation. He ordered GISTDA to use the THEOS 1 and THEOS 2 satellites, as well as the global network (Disaster Charter), to pinpoint flooding and crisis points, and to provide a “flood navigation map” to support precise rescue efforts. Meanwhile, the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (ONEP) utilized the “ThaiWater National Water Data Warehouse” and telemetry to provide 24-48-hour advance analysis and warnings. A war room was also established to target Hat Yai City to continuously monitor the situation during the floods and during the recovery period. Traffy Fondue was also used to consolidate requests for assistance to reduce duplication and prevent missed government assistance. GeoAI was also used to assist Hat Yai City in rehabilitating the flood crisis, and a technology team was mobilized to assist the public.
The third group, “Green Universities to Net Zero by 2050,” implements the “From Kitchen…to Aircraft” project, which utilizes used vegetable oil
to produce sustainable aviation fuel in collaboration with PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC). The goal is for universities nationwide to become key mechanisms and models for environmentally friendly management. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) has supported the establishment of used vegetable oil collection points at over 20 pilot universities nationwide for use in aviation fuel production.
The fourth group, “Major Upskill-Reskill,” helps the unemployed and transforms the Thai workforce for the modern job market. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) has launched Upskill-Reskill programs through universities, research units, learning centers, and platforms nationwide in areas of urgent need, such as microelectronics, spatial data science, railway systems, digital and AI in healthcare. These programs include intensive skills training, short-term but long-term programs through sandbox programs, and new graduates. These
programs aim to help the unemployed return to the workforce and elevate the workforce to high-skilled levels. By 2025, skills development for a total of 543,646 workers will be achieved.
In the fifth group, ‘AI love U (AI love you) Accelerating the Future of Thailand,’ I signed the announcement of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation regarding ‘Guidelines for the Management of Teaching and Learning in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In the curriculum of higher education institutions in 2025’ to modernize education to support the rapidly changing labor market. The goal is to produce graduates with skills ready to use AI, along with developing the Thai education ecosystem to be modern. This announcement will be effective from October 10, 2025. In addition, it supports the use of AI in various areas, such as proactive lung health monitoring with AI Chest X-ray to increase equal access to lung health screenings for the public. The use of AI Chest X-ray will be expanded to 300 hospita
ls, screening more than 300,000 people in remote areas. In addition, the ‘AI Half Each’ project will support 50% of the cost of Thai AI services for innovator companies within one year, as well as supporting the Super AI Engineer project, which last year had more than 12,000 applicants and generated hundreds of AI application projects.
“AI is the future, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) is the bridge to the new world. The AI Love U campaign aims to “develop people” ready for the AI economy, from youth, students, startups, and SMEs. All this is under the concept of “Stepping into a New Future” with policies that deliver clear results, ensuring Thailand is ready to compete with stability and sustainability.”