KMIT trains rail experts for growing network
Play
PROJECT STARTS THIS MONTH; AIMS TO ROLL OUT 240 GRADUATES BY 2019
KING MONGKUT’S Institute of Technology Ladkrabang targets its pioneering Rail Transportation Engineering programme to produce more than 240 graduates by 2019 to serve the country’s |logistics needs.
“Our programme addresses infrastructure, systems, components, crossings, maintenance and signalling systems,” Nattawoot Depaiwa, chairman of the programme, said last week.
More than 2,000 students have applied for just 50 openings for the programme, which starts this month.
Thailand’s railways now stretch over 8,278 kilometres after more than one century in operation.
Rail-based transportation systems are expected to expand fast in the coming years as the government is preparing to spend most of its planned Bt2-trillion borrowing on rail infrastructure projects like double-track railroads and cross-country trunk routes for high-speed passenger trains.
Prof Thawil Pungma, president of the university, said the country would clearly require qualified personnel to take care of its growing rail network.
“So, it’s necessary that we take steps to respond to the country’s needs,” he said.
Nattawoot said 25 per cent of the study hours are devoted to practical training and experiments, since there are two real train stations on campus and real railways for students to examine and experience.
“We also have modern learning and teaching equipment such as phased array ultrasonic detectors for cracks in tracks,” he said. “The instrument is highly accurate.”
The new students see a bright future in their chosen profession.
Jakkabhat Sathainbhak, 18, said he decided to enrol because he always loved to travel by train.
“This field is very interesting. It’s also useful to the country,” he said.
Danuwat Vicheinpala, said he jumped at the chance because he wanted to take part in developing the country’s transportation system.
“Improved rail transport will enhance transportation services. I believe with the Asean Economic Community materialising in 2015, there will be more people travelling across the borders by train,” he said.
Chanikant Jungjaroennorasuk was also confident that train transportation would play a more important role when the AEC started, so she wished to become a rail-transportation engineer one day.
“I myself travel by train every day and I wish to see a better train system.”
