On 25 June 2026, Kasetsart University (KU), led by the Faculty of Engineering, together with Western Digital Storage Technologies (Thailand) Ltd. (WD), held a strategic partnership meeting at the 50th Anniversary Building, Kasetsart University, to define future directions for collaboration in Smart Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and workforce development in support of next-generation industries under the vision of Industry 5.0.
The meeting was co-chaired by Assistant Professor Dr. Kongsak Tiangtham, President-Elect of Kasetsart University, and Mr. Philip Bernard, Senior Vice President, Global HDD Assembly & Backend Operations, Western Digital Storage Technologies (Thailand) Ltd. Executives from both organizations, along with faculty members and researchers from various disciplines, participated in discussions aimed at strengthening long-term collaboration between academia and industry.
The meeting identified three strategic areas of collaboration: (1) Workforce Development, including the joint development of academic and professional training programs, upskilling and reskilling initiatives, and the enhancement of AI and Industry 5.0 competencies; (2) Smart Manufacturing, focusing on the application of AI, automation, robotics, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), intelligent sensors, and data analytics to enhance manufacturing capabilities; and (3) Research and Innovation, promoting collaborative research in advanced materials and intelligent manufacturing, as well as the development of technologies with strong potential for industrial implementation.
Kasetsart University also presented the achievements of its workforce development initiatives conducted in collaboration with Western Digital. The partnership has successfully developed Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 training programs involving more than 30 faculty members, producing highly skilled engineers and technical professionals. These programs integrate AI-enabled learning platforms with hands-on industrial training to equip participants with practical competencies that meet evolving industry needs.
Both parties also agreed to further strengthen their collaboration through several strategic initiatives, including the development of Sandbox internship programs, the promotion of Talent Mobility, the expansion of joint initiatives in AI and Smart Manufacturing, and collaborative research and innovation projects supporting Thailand’s strategic priorities in the semiconductor industry, intelligent manufacturing, and advanced technologies.
This strategic partnership highlights the Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University’s commitment to bridging academia and industry through talent development, collaborative research, and innovation. The collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to Thailand’s ambition of becoming a regional hub for advanced technology, smart manufacturing, and Industry 5.0, while enhancing the nation’s long-term competitiveness and promoting sustainable economic growth.
