Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "NANOTEC partners VEC to include nano in curriculum"

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Abstract:
After completing two collaborative training activities, both National
Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC) and Vocational Education Commission
(VEC) decided to tie the knot by initiating a formal partnership agreement this
afternoon at the Vocational Education Commission's office in Bangkok. Based
on the signed MOU, both NANOTEC and Vocational Education Commission
will continue to conduct series of activities such as faculty training,
research project competition, and include nanotechnology information in
the curriculum, all of which is to increase awareness and knowledge of
nanotechnology for both faculty and students.

NANOTEC partners VEC to include nano in curriculum

Pathumthani, Thailand | Posted on March 3rd, 2011

"We see this initiation as a strategic partnership" said Prof. Sirirurg
Songsivilai, Executive Director of NANOTEC. "The current vocational education
system which focuses on hands-on technical teaching approach allow for easy
adaptation of nanotechnology information in the lesson plans. We are glad
to learn that the Commission will include nanotechnology in the vocational
college curriculum. This is a big step forward to increasing public awareness
of nanotechnology development".

"Nanotechnology is the technology of the 21st century. As a governing
body overseeing the vocational education administration it is the duty
of the administration to see to it that both faculty and students are up
to par on knowledge of nanotechnology development" said Mr. Phansak

Rojanakat, Deputy Permanent Secretary." After all, we are preparing our
students to meet the needs of the labour market which plays a major
role in national development, this is a major task. As a starter, we will
include nanotechnology courses in five technical college curriculum and we
will look at how to incorporate nanotechnology in the annual Science Show
event"

Currently 415 technical colleges are governed by the Vocational Education
Commission (VEC), of the Ministry of Education with more than a million
students following the programs. Additionally, approximately 380,000
students were studying in 401 private vocational schools and colleges. There
is a plan to bring the private vocational schools and colleges under the
administration of VEC. NANOTEC on the other hand already have in place
a pool of over 70 nanotechnology trainers under the Train the trainers on
nanotechnology (TTN). These trainers will play a major role in the various
training activities under the MOU.