The project is under the Embedded Systems Training Alliance for Thai Engineers scholarship, or ESTATE.

Prayoon Shiowatana, president of the Technology Promotion Association, said the project is aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Thai industry. Science and Technology Minister Youngyuth Yuthavong said the training project would be a long-term cooperation effort between Japan and Thailand to support industry.

"It is a great opportunity for all 14 Thai engineers to learn new technologies and experience on-the-job training in Japan. It will also lift the level of knowledge of people in the embedded-systems business in Thailand," said Youngyuth.

Hiromici Watanabe, Japan's senior vice minister of economy, trade and industry, said Japanese companies now invest more than Bt7 billion in Thailand - more than 50 per cent of the total manufacturing base.

Therefore, Japanese companies will employ Thai staff, especially in the field of embedded systems which now lacks sufficient people.

ESTATE is expected to be a showcase project and a bridge between Japan and Thailand. Japan last year had a shortfall of more than 90,000 workers in the field of embedded systems to support industry, especially the automotive and electronics industries. By 2012 the shortfall will be 250,000. This project will help solve the problem, Watanabe said.

Pansak Siriruchatapong, the president of Tesa, said that the association planned to offer 25 and 30 scholarships to Thai engineers in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Bencha Boon-Uea, one ESTATE trainee, who has a scholarship to learn technology at Ryoyo Electro Corporation, said all lecturers are experts in this field and that improved her knowledge of embedded systems.

Another ESTATE trainee said the work experience in Japan is a good chance to learn what they cannot find in Thailand, and they can subsequently develop new technology for the country.

The Software Information Promotion Agency (Sipa) is also working with Tesa and the Information-Technology Promotion Agency (IPA) of Japan to develop certificates for Embedded Technology Skills and Standards, (ETSS), based on the Japanese standard certification. As a result, Thai personnel will support various industries such as the automotive industry and the consumer-product industry.

Sipa also plans training activities to assist the embedded-system industry in consumer-electronics products, automotive, microelectronics and electronics industries.

In this project, Sipa will work with IPA and 11 universities to provide free training courses in embedded software.

Sipa's president Avudh Ploysongsang said the project is to bridge the gap between industry and universities. The first phase is expected to be launched in the next few months.

"The courses will be co-designed by Sipa and IPA. Students who complete the course will be certified by us. We will match these graduates with industry requirements - that means it will be easier for them to get jobs," said Avudh. It targets to create 200 certified engineers within the first year of operation.

Eventually, the project will be included in the universities as a regular course, maybe as an elective course, instead of being just a short-term training course.

Jirapan Boonnoon,

Asina Pornwasin

The Nation