Queen Mary launches pioneering engineering education partnership in Thailand

The partnership was celebrated at a launch event in Bangkok on 28 October 2026, bringing together senior representatives from both universities and government officials, including Professor Dr Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand; H.E. Ms Nicola Pollitt, British Ambassador to Thailand; Professor Colin Bailey, President and Principal of Queen Mary; Professor Emeritus Dr Yongyuth Yuthavong, Chairman of the University Council of KMUTT; and Associate Professor Dr Suvit Saetia, President of KMUTT.

The partnership brings Queen Mary's 22 years of experience in delivering transnational education to Thailand, combining its internationally recognised research and teaching expertise with the strengths of KMUTT, ranked fourth in Thailand in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.

From 2027, Queen Mary University and KMUTT will jointly deliver three four-year undergraduate programmes: BEng Data and Artificial Intelligence Engineering, BEng Intelligent Electronic and Electrical System Engineering, and BEng Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Engineering.

Queen Mary University's academics will teach alongside leading academics from KMUTT in Bangkok, combining Queen Mary's excellence in research-led education and 22 years of expertise in delivering transnational education with KMUTT's strengths in engineering, technology and industry engagement. Together, they will equip students with the technical knowledge, creative problem-solving skills and international perspectives needed in a rapidly evolving world.

Professor Colin Bailey said:

"This exciting moment for Queen Mary University and KMUTT marks the beginning of lasting opportunities for generations of students in Thailand. At Queen Mary University, we believe that excellent education develops excellent talent, expands opportunities and empowers students to make a positive difference in the world. By combining our research and education excellence and over two decades of experience in delivering transnational  education with KMUTT's outstanding engineering expertise, we are creating something that neither institution could achieve alone.

"This partnership is about more than delivering degrees. It is about building trust, sharing knowledge and developing the next generation of engineers, innovators and leaders who will help shape Thailand's technological future. I look forward to seeing it grow and flourish in the years ahead.”

Professor Savut Saetia said:

"The partnership represents an important step in expanding access to high-quality transnational education in Thailand.

Our ambition extends beyond the launch of these first three programmes. Through the International Centre for Future Technologies, KMUTT and Queen Mary are building a long-term platform for education, research, innovation and collaboration between Thailand and the United Kingdom. We see this partnership as an opportunity not only to prepare a new generation of globally capable graduates, but also to connect academics, researchers and industry, accelerate the development of future technologies, and contribute to Thailand’s innovation capacity and competitiveness in the years ahead."

KMUTT is recognised as one of Thailand's leading universities for science, technology and innovation, with extensive expertise in engineering, robotics and automation. Its Institute of Field Robotics has more than 30 years of experience developing technologies with applications across manufacturing, energy, healthcare and logistics.

Developed through close collaboration over the past two years, with support from the British Council's UK-Thailand Transnational Education Exploratory Grant and encouragement from Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, this new partnership strengthens educational links between the United Kingdom and Thailand.