IAPP Thailand Builds Momentum in Workforce Development and STEM Collaboration 

IIE’s Program Continues to Foster Collaboration Among Higher Education, Business, and Government   

As global economies grow increasingly digital, higher education partnerships are emerging as powerful drivers of innovation, collaboration and opportunity. This year’s International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP) Thailand—led by IIE with support from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and in partnership with Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI)—brought together leading universities from the United States and Thailand to explore new frontiers in STEM and the digital economy. 

Why STEM and the Digital Economy? 

This year’s theme reflects shared priorities between the United States and Thailand: preparing graduates for the future of work and building digital capacity across sectors. “Thailand’s investments in its digital economy strategy and the U.S.’s strength in applied research made this a natural focus,” said Sylvia Jons, Director of IIE’s Center for International Partnerships. 

The focus also aligns with IIE’s broader mission to help institutions forge partnerships that advance national development goals and respond to evolving industry needs. Throughout the week, delegates engaged with private-sector leaders—including AMCHAM Thailand, Western Digital, Ford Motor Company Thailand, Gulf Development Public Company Limited, and Mitr Phol Research and Innovation—whose insights underscored the critical role of public–private collaboration in higher education and workforce development. 

Selecting Institutions for Impact 
This year’s participating institutions—11 from the U.S. and 16 from Thailand—were chosen through a competitive process emphasizing readiness for collaboration, strength in STEM disciplines, and interest in innovation-driven partnerships. The resulting mix included large research universities, regional public institutions, and specialized technical universities, creating fertile ground for diverse and meaningful exchanges. 

Progress and Continuing Collaboration 
The 10-month IAPP Thailand program included a U.S.-to-Thailand delegation in October 2025 and an upcoming reciprocal Thai-to-U.S. visit in February 2026. Early partnership discussions are already underway and will continue as Thai higher education institutions travel to the United States this February. During their visit, Thai delegates will participate in the AIEA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., and visit U.S. colleges and universities in the region to further develop their partnership strategies and explore new areas for collaboration. 

“These engagements represent a continuation of the momentum sparked in Bangkok,” noted Jonathan Lembright, Director of IIE’s Southeast Asia office, emphasizing the importance of sustained dialogue and connection between institutional leaders. 

What’s Next 
Participating institutions will continue to refine their partnership strategies with guidance from IIE’s Center for International Partnerships and IIE’s Southeast Asia office. Post-delegation workshops and webinars will focus on sustaining engagement, mapping joint projects, and connecting with industry and government stakeholders who can help translate ideas into lasting impact. 

Looking ahead, IAPP Thailand will continue to foster collaboration among higher education, industry, and government partners as institutions put their plans into action. The connections established this year will carry forward into upcoming exchanges and joint initiatives, including the Thai delegation’s visit to the United States in February 2026. These ongoing engagements aim to strengthen long-term partnerships and advance shared goals in STEM education and the digital economy. 

IIE extends its sincere appreciation to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand (MFA) for their partnership and support in making IAPP Thailand possible. Their collaboration has been invaluable in advancing dialogue between Thai and U.S. institutions and in promoting innovation and capacity building across the higher education and digital sectors.

Thai Institutions  

• Bangkok University 
• Burapha University 
• Chiang Mai University 
• CMKL University 
• Khon Kaen University 
• King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) 
• Mahasarakham University 
• Mahidol University 
• Naresuan University 
• North Chiang Mai University 
• Payap University 
• Prince of Songkla University 
• Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna 
• Siam University 
• Sripatum University 
• Thammasat University