RVIE Program

Concept and History

Railway Engineering is a multidisciplinary application field that involves the latest technologies of the domains of mechanical, electrical and civil engineering and information technologies. To meet the complexity and international character of this industry, the new Railway Vehicles and Infrastructure Engineering (RVIE) program follows a unique concept.

RVIE is a collaboration of TGGS, Chulalongkorn University and RWTH Aachen University to combine the best know-how into the three-year program that includes one full year of studies in Germany.

RVIE offers the choice of two majors:
• Railway Vehicles Engineering (RVE) – directed primarily at students with a background in Mechanical and Electrical Power Engineering
• Railway Infrastructure Engineering (RIE) – directed primarily at students with a background in Civil Engineering

Program structure and degree
RVIE is a 3-year program, awarding a M. Eng. Degree jointly issued by KMUTNB and Chulalongkorn University. You will study in Bangkok and Aachen, Germany:
1st year: coursework in Bangkok (both TGGS and Chula campuses)
2nd year: coursework in Aachen, Germany at RWTH Aachen University
3rd year: Industrial Internship and Master Thesis (either location)

The curriculum featuring 15 courses was designed to realize the interdisciplinary competence in both majors and full compatibility with the Rail-related studies at RWTH Aachen University, allowing for a Double-Degree option. RVIE was developed in the context of the German-Thai Railway Partnership (GTRP), a working group under the Thai Ministry of Transport and the German Embassy that realizes the motivation of the Joint Declaration of Intent signed in November 2016 between the Ministries of both countries to promote future collaboration and knowledge transfer in the field of Railway Applications.

RVIE answers the demand of the labor market
Railway is expanding rapidly in Thailand. According to the 20 year Thailand transport development plan (2018-2037), over 3,500km of new railway track and 1,700km high speed rail railway track will be built within the next decade, plus 460km of rail transport network that will be built in Bangkok. This indicates a big labor market in the domain of railway in the coming years.
Based on the RVIE curriculum development survey made in 2018, rail companies in Thailand are looking for:
– engineers with fundamental knowledge about railway system
– with skills and experience from actual project work
– and with the intuition to develop new applications in the future
These requirements were used to align the learning outcomes of the program to ensure that RVIE graduates will be have the right qualification as demanded by the future employers.

Industry oriented education
On top of the courses provided by qualified lecturers and professors from TGGS, KMUTNB, CU, and RWTH Aachen university. Experts from the industry will also take part in giving lectures and advise students during their industrial internship and master thesis period. GTRP extensive network comprises government organizations, industries and operators will be utilized when possible to give students insight into the railway community. This way students will have clearer picture of what they need to learn now and where they want to be in this large rail ecosystem.

RVIE Research Areas:
• Design for Reliability and Maintenance, RAMS
• Railway Vehicle Dynamics and Wheel/Rail-Interactions
• Passenger Safety and Comfort
• Rolling Stock Condition-Monitoring and Maintenance
• Railway Infrastructure Condition Monitoring, Ballast Degradation
• AC and DC Traction Power Supplies
• Energy Management and Power Quality for Railway Systems
• Smart Railway Electrification by Smart Grids

Student status and enrolment
The application process and enrolment is managed by TGGS. Once you are enrolled, you will be registered at Chulalongkorn University as an exchange student, giving you all access to both institutions’ facilities. During your stay in Aachen, you are also registered as an exchange student at RWTH Aachen University.

Optional double degree with RWTH Aachen University
After having started the studies in the major of RVE, each student individually might decide to apply for the double-degree option with RWTH Aachen University. If you are accepted, you will be awarded the Master of Science of RWTH after having completed your studies of the RVIE program in addition the KMUTNB/CU degree. However, RWTH might impose additional requirements on a case-by-case base.

Application – who is accepted?
For the application to the program, please find instructions and documents here. > Apply Now
Students with a background in Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering can apply, and their background is evaluated individually, depending on the choice of Major (RVE or RIE).

Download Brochure RVIE Program