Capacity Development is the core of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)’s technical cooperation programme. The main objective of their capacity development work is to develop the technical, managerial and institutional capacities of member and associate member governments to plan and deliver more effective policies and programmes in support of inclusive and sustainable development. Therefore, ESCAP has come forward to sponsor ASEAN Students under the Sirindhorn Center for Geo-informatics (SCGI) Master Program. ESCAP has offered to sponsor four (4) ASEAN Students funds for traveling to China to pursue their education in Wuhan University.

United Nation ESCAP’s capacity development prpogramme falls right in position with Geo-informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization) (GISTDA)’s SCGI training center. Sirindhorn Center for Geo-Informatics (SCGI) is serving as the international center on research and technology transfer in space technology and geo-informatics. Both organisations feel the importance to strengthen the human capital in Thailand and ASEAN by promoting inclusive and equitable quality education as well as stimulate lifelong learning opportunities. Under the SCGI center – Geo-information and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization) (GISTDA) under the Ministry of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation, Thailand, Wuhan University in China and Burapha University in Thailand together have introduced the SCGI Master Program curriculum, which is an international Master’s Degree – Double degree program. Students under this curriculum would get to pursue their Master’s Degree in two countries: Thailand and China, within 2 years of study period. Graduates would receive their degree from both renowned universities: Wuhan University and Burapha University.  Apart from this, graduates who would have completed from this program would gain knowledge in the field of science, geography, social studies and space technology and other areas. By which, graduates could pursue their career as scientists, researchers, lecturers in the field of Geo-informatics at an ASEAN or International level.

SCGI Master Program not only focuses on the development of Thai nationals but also aims at providing ASEAN citizens an opportunity to develop in the field of Geo-informatics and Space Technology in the region. GISTDA appreciates the support that United Nations ESCAP has provided and is looking to work and collaborate together to foster education and improve the quality of life of the people in Thailand and the ASEAN region.