Newton STFC-NARIT Capacity Building for Thai Radio Astronomy

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Thailand is planning a major investment in radio astronomy, with the development of a new 40m diameter radio telescope over the next 5 years (the Thai National Radio Observatory). This facility is a strategic priority for Thai research as radio astronomy incorporates many key skills of value to a developing knowledge economy (engineering, electronics, information technology, computational and communications technology). However the project comes with significant human capacity and skills development challenges in that currently Thailand has few radio astronomers or engineers who can design, construct and operate the telescope. Our project is designed to address these challenges using the UK's long heritage and highly developed skills in radio astronomy. The UK has a leadership role in the world's next generation radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array, and so places a high strategic priority on the global development of radio astronomy and the training of future generations of radio astronomers who will exploit this long-term project.We will partner with the Thai astronomical and technical community to transfer specific technical knowledge of radio astronomy instrumentation and to also bolster the Thai astronomical skill base. We will carry out a joint programme programme of training, targeted outreach to undergraduates, and bilateral exchanges to strengthen the Thai radio astronomy community and develop skilled human capital via training in radio astronomy, required computer skills and instrumentation. Our programme will not only help to develop the skills that Thailand needs for the Thai National Radio Observatory but will also have impact on the wider economy through the development of skilled graduates and postgraduates in electronics, information & communications technology and advanced data processing.