The establishment of the Advanced Composites Research Center (ACRC) and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the industrial sector stem from a critical need to drive research and innovation in composite materials. This initiative is designed to meet the growing demands of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Thailand’s flagship special economic zone.
The project’s significance lies in creating a centralised hub for research, development, and knowledge transfer in advanced composites. Furthermore, it aims to cultivate a highly skilled workforce aligned with the nation’s targeted industries (S-Curve) through robust university-industry collaborations, with a focus on curriculum development, collaborative research, and cooperative education.
Project Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Dr Thanongsak Imjai (Head of ACRC) & Asst. Prof. Dr Nayot Kurukitkoson (Dean of the Faculty of Engineering)
Objectives:
- To establish the Advanced Composites Research Center (ACRC) as a premier hub for research, development, and the transfer of advanced composite technologies.
- To forge strong partnerships with the industrial sector to develop human resources, research, and innovations that directly respond to the needs of industries within the EEC.
- To produce high-quality personnel equipped with the agile skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
Program Activities:
The Faculty of Engineering at Burapha University officially hosted the grand opening of the “Advanced Composites Research Center (ACRC)” at the EEC Automation Park on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
The event highlighted an Academic MOU signing ceremony with three leading companies in the composite materials industry: GFRP Kings Co., Ltd., Smart & Bright Co., Ltd., and Cobra Engineering Innovation Co., Ltd. Asst. Prof. Dr Nayot Kurukitkoson, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, presided over the ceremony and signed on behalf of the university.
The program featured a special lecture on “Advanced Composite Materials” by Assoc. Prof. Dr Thanongsak Imjai, Head of the ACRC, was followed by presentations from industry representatives on future development guidelines. These sessions facilitated a rich exchange of perspectives on the business sector’s role in advancing composite technologies in collaboration with educational institutions.
This comprehensive collaboration encompasses education, research, academic services, internship and cooperative education support, and human resource capacity building (reskilling and upskilling). It also includes the provision of research materials and equipment, as well as the co-development of degree programs and short-term training courses tailored to produce a highly capable workforce for the EEC.
Expected Outcomes (Impacts):
- Establishment of a Premier Innovation Hub: The ACRC is now positioned as a national center for R&D and tech transfer in advanced composites, equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure and laboratories to support international-standard research.
- Strategic Industry Partnerships: Forged high-impact collaborations with three leading companies to develop a quality workforce and innovative research for the EEC. This includes joint research initiatives, material standardisation testing, and the placement of at least 5 cooperative education students annually.
- Targeted Workforce Development: Enhanced human resource capabilities through targeted reskilling and upskilling programs, alongside the creation of degree and short-term courses that directly address real-world industry requirements.
- Commercial Growth & Global Competitiveness: The initiative actively promotes practical, commercializable research and innovation, adding significant economic value and elevating the global competitiveness of the Thai industrial sector.
Date of Implementation: June 10, 2026
