Alstom (Thailand) Ltd, the local unit of a leading French
energy-solutions and rail-transport company, is conducting a feasibility study
on establishing a plant in Thailand to manufacture electric-train parts. It
expects to reach a conclusion on the proposal within a year.
The plan is aimed at enhancing
the company's competitiveness in Asean's second-largest economy. It was
disclosed after Alstom (Thailand) signed a memorandum of cooperation with
Kasetsart University on development of engineering undergraduates.
Didier Farez, president for
Alstom (Thailand), said the company was active in Thailand's rail transport and
electricity generation.
Besides the feasibility study on
the factory proposal, it has been in discussions with the Mass Rapid Transit
Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and local alliances.
Farez noted that Alstom was French's
first developer of high-speed trains, and said the company emphasised safety.
Alstom has been involved in the
MRTA's Blue Line extension. It is seeking the opportunity to participate in the
Purple and Green Line extension projects as well.
Farez said Thailand was expected
to develop a high-speed rail system, which will entail more electric-train
projects and more electricity plants. This could raise demand for engineers,
who are now in short supply in the Kingdom.
Jerome de Grandmaison, vice president
of human resources for Asia at Alstom, said the region's economic expansion had
prompted some countries to seek ways of developing their transport systems,
electricity generation and human-resource competency.
Thailand is the first Asean
country where Alstom has decided to co-develop engineers.
Alstom will transfer its
technical knowledge and experience Thai engineering undergraduates in the
fields of electrical power, electrical grids and transport. Engineering
undergraduates will take part in the Alstom Graduate Programme with two-year
internships across the world.
Alstom will also join research
and development projects of Kasetsart University's engineering faculty as a way
to develop smart-grid technology.
Wuttichai Kapinkan, president for
Kasetsart University, said its engineering faculty would introduce a
railway-engineering curriculum at the undergraduate level next year with
expected enrolment of 40 students per year.
The university has urged the
government to set a clear policy on the rail-transport system so that
educational institutions could plan to develop engineers for it, he said,
adding that sufficient budget should be provided to support human-resource
development in this field.
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