A hundred and five (105)-strong educators, entrepreneurs and senior TVET professionals participated in the knowledge sharing on best practices, tips on entrepreneurship, current trends in micro financing and challenges in TVET curriculum to address employability of young professionals in Thailand. The seminar was jointly organized by the Colombo Plan Staff College for Technician Education (CPSC) and the Office of the Vocational Education and Commission (OVEC), Thailand on November 27, 2013 at Bangkok Golf Spa Resort Hotel, Pathumthani, Thailand.
The seminar provided timely opportunity to tackle issues, trends, challenges, forward looking-solutions on the educational and training dimension of enhancing skills for employability of graduates in the country.
The seminar speakers comprised of Dr. Noppadol Piyatrapoomi, Director, Bureau of National Professional Qualifications System, Thailand Professional Qualifications Institute (TPQI); Dr. Siripan Choomnoom, Senior Adviser, OVEC (Emergent issues and New Approach in Skills for Employability in Thailand); Dr. Kanjana Watanasuntorn, former CPSC Faculty and currently Professor at Udon Thani Technology and Business Administration College (Perspectives on Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Growth); Dr. Watcharas Leelawath Deputy Executive Director, International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) (Poverty Alleviation and through Micro-Financing in TVET) and Dr. Rajesh P. Khambayat, Seminar Coordinator and Professor, National Institute of Teachers’ Training and Research (NITTTR), India (Good Practices on Youth Employment and Skills Development in Asia Pacific Region.)
All of the speakers were unanimous in strongly urging and encouraging educators, trainers as well as stakeholders of TVET to vigorously pursue and take actions on innovations in skills training, curriculum improvements on TVET and building partnerships and linkages especially with major industries in the country and sharing of good efforts taken by various TVET schools for mutual benefits.
Discussions ensued on the different challenges faced by the education sector in Thailand where speakers shared their insights and resolutions on these aspects.
 Seminar speakers (clockwise) Dr. Siripan Choomnoom, Senior Adviser, OVEC,Dr. Noppadol Piyatrapoomi, Director, Bureau of National Professional Qualifications System, Thailand Professional Qualifications Institute (TPQI), Dr. Rajesh P. Khambayat, Seminar Coordinator and Professor, National Institute of Teachers’ Training and Research (NITTTR), India,Dr. Watcharas Leelawath Deputy Executive Director, International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) and Dr. Kanjana Watanasuntorn, former CPSC Faculty. |
 Seminar attendees participate in the open forum |
