Reducing the Gap between Academia and Industry: The Case for Agile Methods in Thailand

One of the recurring problems in information technology (IT) is a gap between education and industry. The gap takes several forms including difficulty in technology transfer, aligning research with the needs of practitioners, and preparing students to make the most effective contribution upon entering industry. This paper will examine the gap between education and industry, agile methods in the software sector, and computer science higher education in Thailand. We will summarize a new national initiative to establish Thailand as an Educational Hub for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. Further, the results from empirical field research in Thailand will be presented. We then suggest a way to weave these ideas together in a proposal that may advance the interests of both education and industry.