NSTDA, in collaboration with partners, implements a wide range of programs to address the science education at high-school and university levels to produce future scientific professionals for academia and industry.
Junior Science Talent Project (JSTP) aims to develop scientific skills among gifted high-school and college students and it is a mechanism for NSTDA to search for high potential students to groom into top scientific talents. Every year, the JSTP awards 100 scholarships to gifted and talented students recruited from a national open call. After one year, 10 high-performing students are selected for long-term scholarships and mentoring from undergraduate study to complete PhD education. In addition to monetary scholarship, JSTP also organizes activities for recruited students such as science camp, science project contest and mentoring by top scientists from NSTDA and major universities.
Young Scientist and Technologist Program (YSTP) provides research funds to 4th-year university students to conduct senior projects under the co-supervision of NSTDA researchers and university faculty members.
Thailand Graduate Institute of Science and Technology (TGIST) offers scholarships for university students to study in the master’s and doctoral program under the co-supervision of NSTDA researchers and university faculty members.
STEM Workforce is a new program established in 2017 to support 10 S-curve industries targeted by the government. The 10 industries are Next-generation Automotive, Smart Electronics, Affluent, Medical & Wellness Tourism, Agriculture & Biotechnology, Food for the Future, Robotics, Aviation & Logistics, Biofuels & Biochemicals, Digital and Medical Hub. The program provides grants to university faculty members or researchers in public organizations who undertake a collaborative research project with industry partners in 10 targeted industries. The grant is to be used specifically to fund graduate students working on the project.
TAIST-Tokyo Tech is a graduate program established under the collaboration between NSTDA, five Thai universities and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), with a prime objective to produce world-class researchers and high-level engineers. Five Thai universities are King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Kasetsart University and Mahidol University. Under TAIST-Tokyo Tech, NSTDA provides researchers to serve as adjunct professors, research projects and scholarships for graduate students. Tokyo Tech provides a world-class background, expertise and experience, academic instruction and research advice; whereas Thai universities offer an academic framework, academic staff to oversee and guide students, as well as grant degrees or certificates to the successful candidates. The following three programs are currently available: automotive engineering; information and communication technology for embedded systems; and sustainable energy and resources, as well as one certificate program in rail transportation.
TAIST-JAIST is a collaborative program between NSTDA, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology and Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST). TAIST-JAIST offers doctoral degree education in three programs: Knowledge Science, Information Science and Material Science.
In addition, NSTDA co-organized programs with our international alliances to enrich talented students. Every year, NSTDA selects Thai students to participate in the DESY Summer Student Program (hosted by Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron in Germany) and the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.