Ministry joins hands with Microsoft
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THE Science and Technology Ministry has joined with Microsoft Thailand to set up the Microsoft Innovation Centre at the National Science and Technology Development Agency's central Bangkok facility to turn out 200 start-ups, or entrepreneurs, per year.
“This is an important time for the IT industry as Thailand moves towards a digital economy. We are expecting technology will be able to contribute to the growth of the country. It will also enhance the competitiveness of the country as a whole,” Science and Technology Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj said yesterday
The collaboration will develop the digital and innovation skills of entrepreneurs to improve their efficiency. It will also use information technology to support local small and medium enterprises, students and entrepreneurs, he said.
Haresh Khoobchandani, managing director of Microsoft Thailand, said that seven years ago, the firm and NSTDA established the Microsoft Innovation Centre at Rangsit University’s campus on Sathorn Thani Road.
It is being re-launched at NSTDA’s central Bangkok facility on Yothi Road.
Microsoft will provide all software resources, cloud computing, training and experts to support students, entrepreneurs and start-ups through practical training courses, internships and mentoring.
However, during the seven-year collaboration, 50 start-ups were created. The re-launch of the MIC is expected to double the start-ups in the first year. The firm also expects that the innovation centre will transform research from the shelf into commercial applications and give confidence to start-ups to develop their products and services commercially.
Thaweesak Koanantakool, president of NSTDA, said the partnership would build an ecosystem in the nation. It will strengthen IT and innovation as well as transfer benefits to the community and business.
The collaboration will amplify knowledge and create a cluster centre among the NSTDA Academy, Software Park and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre to develop the ecosystem in the nation.
However, the agency expects that the innovation centre this year will give birth to 200 IT start-ups and about 20-30 per cent of them will be able to make it to the commercial market.
