Thailand's Higher Education Ministry Approves 2070 Budget and Long-Term Research Funding Strategy

Key summary

Prof. Dr. Yochanan Wongswat, Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHEST), chaired the 8th meeting of the Steering Committee of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Office (NSTIP) on October 26, 2026. The committee discussed developing long-term research funding mechanisms spanning 5–10 years to support national development. Key agenda items included aligning higher education plans with science, technology, and innovation (STI) strategies, adopting systems thinking to connect local challenges to national policy, and integrating digital tools to streamline fund disbursement. The meeting approved the NSTIP's operational plan and budget for 2070, focusing on green industry upgrades, strategic technology development, SME capacity building, rural economy support, health economics, and regional city development. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Yochanan emphasized studying philanthropy funding models and using AI to link databases for organizational efficiency. The committee also reviewed performance indicators for 2026, shifting focus toward policy outcomes and budget management alongside proposal counts. Dr. Surachai Sathikunarat, Director of NSTIP, reported on insights from the Science and Technology in Society Forum in Kyoto, Japan, highlighting international cooperation, AI governance, and sustainable technology development based on natural capital.