"Science and technology are powerful devices for
building up Thailand's competitiveness. Education
is the engine that will fuel this shift of an efficiency-
driven economy to an innovation-driven economy."
Thailand's major 4.0 national goal is to move
from the current efficiency-driven economy to an
innovation-driven economy. In 2016, a strong
tripartite partnership involving the government,
public and private sectors was formed to support
frontier research in the country, a result that led
to the zoning of an innovation zone - the Eastern
Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi). Central
to this corridor is the PTT's Wangchan Educational
Park, with two of the country's leading educational
institutions playing integral roles in shaping the
nation's most valuable resources - people.
Kamnoetvidya Science Academy (KVIS), a name bestowed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn, which means "the genesis of knowledge" is a science academy for gifted
secondary school students interested in pursuing careers in natural sciences, technology and
engineering. Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC) is a science and technology
research-based university for aspiring postgraduates keen on creating groundbreaking innovations
and building knowledge through original and unique research. Both institutions were founded in
2015 by the PTT Group under the belief that highly skilled, creative, compassionate and entrepreneurial
human capital are the pillars of an innovative value chain.
The PTT Group provides the school with financial support and promotes true academic freedom,
giving autonomous administrative powers and student selection independence to the administrators.
All students attend the academy on a full non-binding 3-year scholarship. The Group's only desires
are for the KVIS graduates to uphold their obligations to use their intellectual and emotional
intelligence in a morally manner, and to utilize their skills and talents to contribute to their nation
through the pioneering of innovations that address common problems in the world.
Today, these skills and talents are already bearing fruits. Within four years of inception, KVIS
students have achieved both local and international accolades for their outstanding research
projects at high profileevents including Intel ISEF (USA), Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge
(USA), INFORMATRIX (Romania) and many others. Besides that, the students have shown remarkable
performances as the country representatives at the International Science Olympiads. Research papers
written by KVIS students have also been featured in prominent international scientific journals.
One of the proudest accomplishments is to have one of the students' research invention being
registered for petty patent license this year.
These achievements are just the beginning of many milestones to come. The school's customized
curriculum and use of English as a medium of instruction in all core subjects have resulted in
commendable performances in standardized examinations. The average TOEFL-ITP scores of
graduates of class 2018 and 2019 were at 555 and 574 respectively. The students' average SAT
and AP standardized test scores are both well above the average scores of international students.
Our road to success has begun and the investments made today in KVIS students will eventually
see a growth in qualified human resources in the much-needed research and development fields
for the country to propel forward and maintain sustainable prosperity for its people.
Pailin Chuchottaworn, Ph.D
Chairman of the Governing Board
