A Chinese university signed a memorandum of understanding with Thailand's King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok on Tuesday to jointly train rail professionals for the rail industry in Thailand and other ASEAN countries.
With China's Belt and Road Initiative, Central South University (CSU) wanted to have a long-term cooperation with a Thai university in rail technology, and chose King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok as a partner in developing a 2+2 program for undergraduates, said CSU Vice President Chen Chunyang.
"The students can learn in Thailand for two years first and finish the remaining two years in China," said Chen, adding that the program may also be extended another two years for those looking for a master's degree.
Suchart Siengchin, president of the Thai university, said they will try to work out a detailed plan of cooperation soon and the 2+2 program may start in August 2018 with 200 students as the first batch.
According to him, the two universities aim to cultivate engineers who know how to maintain high-speed trains and rails.
Pinij Jarusombat, chairman of the Thai-Chinese Cultural and Relationship Council, has worked to help nurture cooperation between the two universities.
Praising China's high-speed rail technology, he expected the program to benefit the whole region and China-ASEAN cooperation in rails.