The Master of Engineering Program in Rail Transportation System, offered by the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, is among the first railway programs at a postgraduate level that recently opened in Thailand. A new Cluster of Logistics and Rail Engineering (CLARE) was formed at the Faculty of Engineering to accommodate the set-up of a new academic stream. Faculty members from various engineering departments, from civil to industrial to electrical to computing, are involved in CLARE’s research and education activities. They all have experience or interest in the railway sector and use their background engineering knowledge to apply it in the rail context. The first two flagship activities the Cluster offers are Master of Engineering programs in Healthcare Logistics (Thai) and Railway Transportation Systems (international).

The railway transportation system curriculum is focused on railway project planning and operations. It was developed to encompass various engineering fields, including industrial, transportation, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Data on rail market needs and expectations for the future rail workforce in Thailand was collected through focus groups and questionnaires with rail industry professionals. The program and coursework were tailored based on this information. In recent stakeholder interviews, two main decisions for improvements were identified: first, to include railway digitalization and maintenance as the key program focuses, and second, to offer the program in weekend classes to accommodate students unable to join regular weekday courses or module-based courses. As a result, the program now aims to advance in four domains within the rail industry: planning, operations, maintenance, and digitalization, and welcomes individuals interested in joining the program on a weekend basis.

Program Philosophy

The program is rooted in the belief that a comprehensive education in railway engineering and management is essential for advancing the transportation infrastructure of the future. The learning environment blends technical proficiency, ethical considerations, digital literacy, and collaborative teamwork. By integrating these elements, the program cultivates professionals skilled in technical and managerial aspects of railway systems and committed to ethical practices and continuous innovation. The aim is to inspire students to leverage emerging technologies and resources to enhance and transform existing and future railway systems.

Program Goal

The program's goal is to produce highly qualified graduates who possess a balanced combination of technical knowledge and managerial skills in railway engineering and management. Graduates will be adept at planning, operations, maintenance, and digitalizing railway systems. They will be trained to use available resources and emerging technologies to improve railway systems.

Program Purpose

The program aims to produce graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in planning, operations, maintenance, and digitalization within the railway industry. Graduates are expected to improve railway systems and propose innovative concepts and ideas to advance railway operations and technology, contributing to the industry’s development while adhering to ethical standards and promoting teamwork.

Program Objective

• Possess and apply theoretical knowledge in railway engineering, planning, and operations
• Possess skills to analyze, synthesize, and produce creative research for improving railway transportation
• Possess and practice moral and ethical codes of conduct in railway engineering professions
• Possess good interpersonal character and teamwork, with the ability to work professionally