Promotion of University-Industry Mobility of Researchers: A New Role of Thai Universities

Transcription

1 1 Promotion of University-Industry Mobility of Researchers: A New Role of Thai Universities Kitipong Promwong 1, Siriporn Pittayasophon 1, Nattaka Yokakul 2 and Girma Zawdie 3 Conference on 'Innovation Systems and the New role of Universities' 5-6 November, 2011 Bristol, UK 1 National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI), Thailand. kitipong@sti.or.th and siriporn@sti.or.th 2 National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand. nattaka@tmc.nstda.or.th 3 The David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability, University of Strathclyde, Scotland. g.zawdie@strath.ac.uk

2 2 Background and Research Problem Emerging Trends in Industrial Sector s R&D Demand and Supply of High-Level R&D Personnel Promoting the Role of University Engaging in Private Sector R&D trough Mobility of Researchers Conclusion

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4 4 Thailand Economic Growth Real GDP Growth (annual per cent) Cited in NESDB and the World Bank (2010) Report on Industrial Change in the Bangkok Urban Region

5 5 2011: An Upper-Middle- Income Economy* Thailand, US$ 4,210 Source: The World Bank (2011) * Gross national income per capital between US$ 3,976 to US$12,275 (using the Atlas method)

6 GDP/Capital Overcoming the Middle Income Trap $ US 25,000 21,100 20,000 16,500 12, ,000 8, ,000 1,600 2,600 4,600 4,210 2,000 3, ,000 Source : 1. Main Science and Technology Indicators, June International Institute for Management Development (2008). World Competitiveness Yearbook M Plus 4. Young Ok-Ahn (2009). Building Korea with Science, Technology and Innovation. 7

7 Policy and Target Thai Government recently adopted science and technology (S&T) policy with targets to improve the state of science, technology and innovation competitiveness in the country. Three main related indicators are expected to more than double by GERD/GDP: from 0.25% to 1.0% R&D personnel (FTE)/10,000 citizens: from 6.7 to 15.0 Private sector share in GERD: from 45% to 70% 8

8 10 Challenge and Constraint These targets pose a huge policy challenge for Thailand, in terms of the effort required to stimulate private sector inputs. Shortage of high-level researchers available to work in the industry will be a major constraint on industry R&D effort.

9 11 Promoting New Role of Universities University sector in Thailand houses a large pool of researchers. This paper looks into ways that could be adopted to promote a new role that Thai universities can play in boosting the R&D and innovation capabilities of industry through mobility their large pool of researchers.

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11 1. Increasing Offshore R&D of Large TNCs 13

12 14 FDI, Net Flows (US$ Billion) Cited in NESDB and the World Bank (2010) Report on Industrial Change in the Bangkok Urban Region

13 Thailand s Position in the Global Value Chain (Stan Shih s & Smiling Curve) High Value-added High Value-added Hi gh Development of prototype Part Production Our own Products & Brand/Innovation Module Part Production Sales After-sale service Lo w R&D, Design, Engineering Assembling Lower Value-added Manufacturi ng Building Brand Thailand has been manufacturing base of TNCs for more than two decades. Source: Economic Restructuring: Industrial Sector, NESDB proposing to Economic Restructuring Committee 16

14 Examples of TNCs Establishing R&D Centre in Thailand 17

15 18 2. Expansion of R&D investment of Local Large Firms

16 Example s Local Large Firms Significantly Expanding R&D Investment 20

17 3. Increasing Number of SMEs Performing R&D Level of Technological Assistance Provided to SMEs Basic Manufacturing standards e.g. GMP/HACCP/TFQS) Medium Improvement product and production process High R&D and innovation (Mar. (2,306 projects 19.4% 63.2% 17.4% : itap (716 projects 21.5% 70.5% 7.9% Source: Industrial Technology Assistance Program, NSTDA 21

18 4. Transition of Industrial Estates towards S&T-Based Industrial Parks Science City Phuket Software Park 22

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20 S&T Manpower: Current Situation Skilled Workers High-Level Knowledge Personnel Skilled workers Designers, engine Highly-skilled workers scientists, researc R&D-Intensiv Technology-Intensive Skill-Intensive Labour-Intensive 24

21 Future: Knowledge-Based Competitiveness (require high-level S&T personnel) Skilled Workers High-Level Knowledge Personnel Designers, engine scientists, researc Highly-skilled workers Skilled workers Technol ogyintensiv Laborintensive Skillintensiv R&D and innovat ion 26

22 27 Projected Demand of S&T Manpower in Thailand Level Vocational Bachelor Master Source: Ph.D. 1. Thailand Development Research Institute 2. Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office

23 Local Capacity of High-Level S&T Manpower Production (person/year) 30,000 20,000 Master Level 21,400 Demand 24,200 Demand 10,000 10,200 Supply 730 Supply Ph.D. Level 3,500 Demand 4,000 Demand

24 29 Firms Demand for Collaboration with Universities

25 % of firms Share of firms seeking technical assistance or research support from universities and research institutes Food Auto Electronics Cited in NESDB and the World Bank (2010) Report on Industrial Change in the Bangkok Urban Region 30

26 % of firms 31 Share of firms that indicated an increase in collaboration with universities and research institutes in the past 5 years Food Auto Electronics Cited in NESDB and the World Bank (2010) Report on Industrial Change in the Bangkok Urban Region

27 Number of firms Food Electronics 32 Firms receiving technical assistance from universities or research institutes From survey samples of 45, 55 and 52 firms in food, auto and electronics industry respectively Auto Thai 100% Thai & Foreign Foreign 100% Cited in NESDB and the World Bank (2010) Report on Industrial Change in the Bangkok Urban Region

28 33 Percentage of firms having intense cooperation in their innovation activities with academic institutions Collaboration 2001 (n=261) R&D Institutes/Universities 13.6% Collaboration 2003 (n=185) (n=325) Universities 18.9% 19.5% Other Government Agencies 13.7% R&D Institutes 21.1% 22.5% Note: Only innovative firms were observed. Source: 1. National Science and Technology Development Agency (various years).thailand s R&D Directory in Private Sector and 2. National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (2011).Thailand s R&D Directory in Private Sector 2009.

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30 University R&D Capacity Item R&D Expenditure (million baht) R&D Personnel (2007) (person) Value 5,926 (33% of GERD) 36,639 (50% of total R&D personnel) S&T Lecturer 27,881 (2009) (person) (55% of total lecturers) Source: 1. R&D 1) National Research Council of Thailand (2009). National Survey on R&D Expenditure and Personnel of Thailand 2009 and 2) National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (2011)Thailand s R&D Directory in Private Sector S&T Lecturers Office of the Higher Education Commission. Available Online: (May 2011). 35

31 36 Barriers to university-industry collaboration (1) Lack of policy support as reflected in, for example: o inflexible rules an regulations concerning permission of a researcher to work in industry e.g. regulation on sabbatical leave does not encourage academic staff to work with the industry o requirement of high teaching workload o evaluation of faculties performance remaining giving priority on academic KPI e.g. publication rather than industrial innovation o lack of mechanism to support mobility e.g. financial support to universities as well as researchers

32 37 Barriers to university-industry collaboration (2) Rigidity of university s internal process and organisation culture, for example: o teaching staff substitution o issues related to IP o academic VS business timeline/deadline o language and communication with business sector o secrecy agreement

33 38 Barriers to university-industry collaboration (3) Faculties s attitude and incentives, for example: o university is comfort zone o afraid of business deadline o obstacles related to logistics problems o lack of financial incentives o concern about academic career path and promotion

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35 Industry s demand for collaboration and social pressure for the 3 th mission of university sector University executives and considerable number of faculties, indeed, want to change in order to respond to this direction But they feel difficult to dig up deep root of the old paradigm and management system who can help, how? national policy? champions institution, individual, change agent? 41

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