The Government of Thailand devotes attention to transportation infrastructure development throughout the country in the urban and intercity levels. Railway development plan aims for significant passenger and freight transport mode shift from road to rail. The government approved Bangkok Metro Rail Master Plan for 12 routes in 10-20 years (2010-2029) for 830,470 million baht. The cabinet resolution on 27 April 2010 also approved 5-year infrastructure investment plan (2010-2029) of State Railway of Thailand (SRT) for 176,808 million baht. These would lead to various packages of railway development including double track railway network, high speed railway system, and at-grade and underground metro lines. Some projects have already been underway while many others are planned for the near future.

The development of railway sector generates demand on railway operation workforce. It has been estimated that the expansion of Bangkok Metro network project alone will require approximately 3,700 railway operation staff. Among these, 2,000 will be from engineering and technology backgrounds.

Master of Engineering Program in Railway Engineering offers unique curriculum and multidisciplinary research opportunities. The program aims to develop personnel with research capacity as well as personnel who are ready for various sectors of railway businesses.

A new Master of Engineering programme in Railway Transportation System (International Program) at Mahidol University is a 2-year programme delivered in English. Each course is designed as a 2-week block delivered by CLARE’s team and international guest lecturers.

The new international Master programme in Railway Transportation System aims to address the higher education needs of the Thai industry by educating a new generation of rail engineers who will be able to contribute to the rail (metro, conventional and high speed rail) developments in Bangkok and across Thailand.

 “Thailand has recently developed a new ambitious economic model to transform the country from heavy industry oriented to creativity, innovation and smart city model. This model, called ‘Thailand 4.0’, aims to unlock the country from numerous economic challenges, including “a middle income trap” and “an inequality trap”. In order to implement the changes needed, which in a longer term will have a positive impact on economic and social development of the country, the (higher) education system in Thailand will have to evolve and fast. It has been recognised that the weaknesses of the higher education system could be overcome by a blend of actions, including academia-industry collaborations in education and research as well as a greater focus on the development of mix of hard and soft skills by graduates in order to educate the new workforce able of moving the country forward. Graduates of the future will be expected to develop multidisciplinary and transferable skills and work in multicultural environments communicating confidently in English.”

MetroExchange research proposal between Mahidol University and Newcastle University, 2017

> rail courses (each course delivered with a strong rail flavour and examples from research projects)

> block teaching (Monday - Friday, each course delivered in 2-week blocks)

> international lecturers (from Asia and Europe)

> industry guest speakers (from Thai rail industry and international)

> technical visits (metro depot, sea port)

> possibility for international student exchange (collaboration on rail research projects with Europe)

> computer lab facilities (specialist rail software, e.g. OpenTrack)

> delivered in English (by CLARE team and international lecturers)