On September 23, 2021, at the Information Technology Service Centre, Chiang Mai University, Clinical Prof. Niwes Nantachit, President of CMU, signed an academic MOU, Rail Workforce Production and Development, Rail Network Research and Development to Accommodate the Rail Network Industry, between CMU and the Department of Rail Transport. The online event was chaired by Mr. Saksayam Chidchob, Minister of Transport. The other attendees were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thongchai Fongsamootr, Dean of CMU Faculty of Engineering, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peerapong Jitsangiam, Director of Chiang Mai University Advanced Railway Civil and Foundation Engineering Centre (CMU-RailCFC), from the CMU Department of Civil Engineering. The purpose of this MOU is to enhance collaboration between seven parties, comprising 72 agencies that play major roles in rail system development, to promote resource sharing, benefitting rail network development in several aspects.
The seven parties signing this five-year (2021 - 2026) multilateral MOU included the Department of Rail Transport, the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council, the Railway Technology Development Institute, professional and research organisations on rail network, public and private educational institutions with programmes on rail network, public and private vocational institutions with programmes on rail network, and public and private rail network entrepreneurs. This signing ceremony will allow for fast development of rail network research, innovation, and workforce, and is thus capable of sustainably accommodating Thailand’s future rail network industry.