Bangkok:Boosting Thai veterinary standards to a global level and promoting the use of advanced technology to drive the industry were the key topics addressed at the 15th Veterinary Council Annual Conference 2026.
According to Thai News Agency, Professor Dr. Yotsanun Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), delivered a special lecture on "Directions for Integrating Higher Education Standards and Veterinary Professional Standards towards International Excellence." The event, held at Sapphire 204-206, IMPACT Forum, Muang Thong Thani, was attended by notable figures including Mr. Danuphorn Punnakant, Assistant Minister of MHESI, Dr. Sriyada Palimapan, Advisor to the Minister of MHESI, as well as members of the Veterinary Council, executives, faculty members, researchers, and students from higher education institutions nationwide.
Professor Dr. Yoschanan emphasized the need for Thailand to elevate its veterinary profession and higher education standards to overcome current limitations and aspire to global leadership. The strategy involves leveraging expertise in veterinary medicine and animal health science as a foundation to drive the country's new economic engine, through interdisciplinary integration and the application of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, genetic data and genomics, and microbiome systems.
The approach aims to link research with the development of the One Health industry, focusing on three key economic sectors Siam Silica, Siam Terra, and Siam Medica. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the necessity of forming strategic cooperation networks to promote collaboration among leading universities, the private sector, and capital markets, through a Holding Company Consortium model. This collaboration is intended to share research information, develop startups, and commercialize innovations to attract foreign investors as intellectual partners in research and development, thereby positioning Thai personnel and institutions as global leaders in innovation.
Furthermore, integrating data on animal health, the environment, and human health is crucial for creating a robust foundation for holistic health, food security, and preparedness for emerging diseases.