APEC Center for Technology Foresight (APEC CTF) – the Office of National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) was invited to speak at the 2025 APEC Industry-Academia Collaboration Workshop: Leveraging Digitalization for Talent Inclusion and Empowerment: Facilitating Economic Transitions by Academia-Industry Partnership. The event was organized by the APEC Institute of Innovation & Education Development and took place on 27–28 August 2025 in Taipei, Chinese Taipei.

The workshop aimed to explore pathways for developing an interdisciplinary workforce to support the digital transition. It brought together insights on higher education and vocational education partnerships with industry, highlighting best practices and successful models that promote inclusive development.

Dr. Srichattra Chaivongvilan, Strategist 1 at APEC CTF and NXPO, delivered a presentation on “Future Skills for Innovation in APEC: Thailand’s Approach to a Digital Talent Ecosystem.” Her talk addressed the crucial question: “What skills will drive APEC innovation by 2035?” She showcased foresight tools and examples of NXPO policy initiatives designed to respond to the Skills Velocity Crisis—a phenomenon where digital skills become obsolete significantly faster than in the past.

This contribution reflects Thailand’s commitment to advancing collaborative strategies across academia and industry, ensuring that the region is equipped with future-ready talent to navigate digital transformation.