ABB robotic automation technologies will help Thai vocational students get a hands-on start in the digital manufacturing era
As part of ABB’s commitment to writing the future, together, with the communities it calls home, 30 industrial robot education packages will go to Chevron Enjoy Science Project, a public-private partnership project that focuses on enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness and innovation by improving STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and vocational education nationwide. The goal is to continue the cycle of learning, to transfer skills, and to provide the next generation of Thailand’s workforce with the competencies needed for the digital manufacturing era.
The educational packages will include 30 of ABB’s IRB 120 industrial robots and complimentary lifetime licenses to ABB’s RobotStudio software. RobotStudio is a powerful virtual commissioning and simulation software solution that helps manufactures improve their engineering efficiency and bring new products to the market faster.
The robots will subsequently be distributed to various vocational schools under the Office of Vocational Education Commission and to Chitralada Schools Vocational Section. In addition, ABB will collaborate with Chevron Enjoy Science Project to set up robotics training programs for the vocational teachers in order to help accelerate workforce development and get ahead of the fast-growing automation industry in Thailand.
“ABB’s education package will give students hands-on experience and an opportunity to learn the skills needed for effective use and management of modern robotic manufacturing systems. We embrace this opportunity to help equip the engineers of tomorrow with the skills needed for a robotic future,” said Chaiyot Piyawannarat, Country Managing Director of ABB in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.
The Chevron Enjoy Science Project is implemented by Kenan Institute Asia under the sponsorship of Chevron Thailand Exploration and production, Ltd., that is empowering STEM and vocational education across Thailand in order to strengthen the country’s competiveness.
The industrial robotics industry in Thailand has expanded dramatically over the past decade due to a strong customer base. The Thai government’s policy “Thailand 4.0” declared robotics and automation among its targeted future industries as well as the development of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). In addition, ABB in Thailand and King Monkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) just signed a Memorandum of Understanding to foster closer cooperation and put in place a framework that facilitates research and development for industrial robots with the purpose of enhancing education for the next generation of engineers as well.
