December 18-19, 2023 at Barn Meeting Room, Best Western Hotel Chatuchak: the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), by Government Science and Technology Department and under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation organizes the orientation seminar for new government science and technology scholars (government human capacity development scholars) in preparation for their MS and PhD studies.

Dr. Patcharalita Chatwalitpong, Executive Vice President of NSTDA, opens the event to prepare new scholars in various aspects, such as studying, rules, recommened practices, living abroad, problem solving skills, adjusting and learning new cultures. The event is co-organized by the Office of Civil Service Commission particularly on rules, regulations, other must-know information about government scholarships.

Dr. Patcharalita Chatwalitpong, Executive Vice President of NSTDA mentions that this orientation equips students with knowledge on rules, regulations, and good practices in living with others abroad, studying skills, problem solving skills, as well as making important decisions, allows scholars to build friendship via joint activities, as well as asks scholars to adapt their research and living abroad experiences for their future employment in Thailand.

One of the goals of this orientation is to mentally prepare scholars before their study departures. Associate Professor Supaphit Maneesakorn von Bormann, Deputy Dean of Nursing from Suranaree University of Technology and an expert in psychology and mental health, gives a lecture on “How to Joyfully Adapt to Living Abroad”.  In addition, new scholars participate in a seminar sharing advice and living abroad experiences by graduated scholars from the US (Dr. Sarintip Phadungsantikul), the UK (Dr. Pornphan Phichai), France (Dr. Weeraphan Saedan), Germany (Associate Professor Jennarong Tangtrongpairot), Japan (Colonel Associate Professor Thanit Bunsiri), and the moderator, Dr. Anak Khanthachawana.  In conclusion, NSTDA organizes the orientation for new government science and technology scholars because it realizes the importance of human capacity development in science and technology in raising competitiveness and sustainability, as well as rasing knowledge and skills of the labor force for the future national development.