During the ceremony at the Thai-Austrian Technical College, seven students from the Robert Bosch Automotive Technologies Thailand Apprenticeship Programme proudly received certificates for completing their education as part of the German-Thai Dual Excellence Education (GTDEE) program. The ceremony, which marks a significant milestone in the educational and professional journeys of the apprentices, was opened by a speech by Peerapong Pansoda (Representative of the Office of Vocational Education Commission) followed by congratulatory speeches of Ersin Ozturk (Vice President at Bosch Thailand), Dr. Roland Wein (Executive Director at the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce), Johannes Kerner (Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the German Embassy in Bangkok), and Igor Lukic (Commercial Attaché at the Austrian Embassy in Bangkok).
Following the ceremony, the speakers were invited to participate in a guided tour of the educational facilities. The tour included visits to the railway repair training station and the aircraft maintenance training station, offering interesting insights into the education of students in these specialized fields.
The Thai-Austrian Technical College itself was founded in 1970 as a collaboration between the Thai and Austrian governments. Back then, Thailand provided the location and infrastructure, while Austria supplied machinery, learning equipment, and sent experts to train both students and Thai teachers. Today, the college has over 4,000 students and offers vocational certificates and diplomas in a wide range of fields, including electronics, automotive mechatronics, industrial mechanics, production techniques, railway engineering, accounting, hospitality and tourism, and computer mechanics. As such, the Thai-Austrian Technical Collage prepares students with real-world skills and flexible qualifications, ensuring they are well-equipped for the workforce.
All in all, the visit underscored the incredible impact of cross-country collaboration in vocational education and the vital role of skilled labor in Thailand.
