NSTDA and RTRI, Japanese’s technical research company, under the Japan Railways (JR) group of companies, have entered into a 3-Year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2023, to establish a formal technical cooperation to exchange and co-create information, know-how, human development, and joint research in the area of railway technology. This formal collaboration aims for the enhancement and advancement of the Thai railway system.
The MoU signing ceremony has been conducted through a virtual platform. The MOU has been signed by Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul, President of NSTDA, and Dr. Ikuo Watanabe, President of RTRI, and witnessed by Dr. Ekkarut Viyanit, Director of Rail and Modern Transports Research Center of NSTDA, and Dr. Tetsuo Uzuka, General Director of International Division of RTRI. Mr. Hosono Keisuke, First Secretary for Digital, Information & Communications Technology, Science, Technology & Innovation, Embassy of Japan in Thailand, also attended and gave a greeting speech to celebrate the partnership.
Formation of the collaboration between NSTDA and RTRI was actually initiated in 2011. Through this relationship, RTRI has actively participated and offered different kinds of support such as hosting a technical visit on rail systems in Japan, and co-hosting Thai Rail Industry Symposium and Exhibition (RISE), an important event for the Thai railway system in Bangkok with NSTDA, from 2016 till present.
“I am very much hoping that the establishment of this formal partnership between NSTDA and RTRI will be a steppingstone to expand the exchange and co-creation of information, know-how, and joint research in the area of railway technologies between our two institutes even wider,” said Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul. “In so doing, I trust we will contribute significantly to the advancement of the Thai railway system as well as bring bilateral relations between Thailand and Japan even closer.”
“Thailand is one of the most strategic partners in South East Asia and NSTDA is among the leading research institutes in the country,” said Dr. Ikuo Watanabe. “RTRI realises that NSTDA has mandated and committed to research and development for the advancement of the railway systems in Thailand. It is very significant for both RTRI and NSTDA to conclude this memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation and, in so doing, to support the R&D activities between our organisations. Realising the aims of this MoU will certainly benefit rail system standards, not only for Thailand, but for our other friends in Asia.”
Mr. Hosono Keisuke added that, “We all know that railway systems are essential infrastructures. Railway systems improve the quality of life through providing logistics and daily transportation for people. From my observation of the spawning of many rail routes in recent years, the railway system in Thailand has progressed rapidly, not least opening new Bangkok skytrain routes almost every year. We are very happy that Japanese technology has been adopted and used in the Red and Purple lines, for instance. This collaboration between NSTDA and RTRI aims to jointly develop innovations and technologies for the advancement of the Thai railway system. As such, it is another important milestone the Embassy of Japan in Thailand would like to commend.”
“For NSTDA’s rail system works and technologies, in February 2020 the Institute founded ‘Rail and Modern Transports Research Center (RMT)’ as an R&D focus centre. RMT mandated development of ready-to-use technologies for rail and modern transport industries and conducted R&D projects into areas of safety and reliability enhancement in the railway system. The focus is on the development of predictive maintenance technology, development of automated inspection techniques, development of technology for railway parts & components manufacturing, and maintenance data analytics. Furthermore, the research work and technical capacity building concerning connected and automated mobility, enhances convenience of railway passengers in last-mile connectivity, and this is among the key areas of RMT responsibilities.”
July 05, 2021
