Investment/research & development

Editorial team

Thailand hosts 2022 Global Research Council - Asia Pacific Regional Meeting attended by 17 Asia Pacific countries.

TSRI, together with its Thai and Japanese partners, hosts the meeting to provide a platform where global funding leaders in particular from Asia-Pacific region could share and exchange their practice.

Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) Anek Laothamatas

Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) Anek Laothamatas, chaired the 2022 Global Research Council - Asia Pacific Regional Meeting hosted by Thailand Science Research and Innovation ( TSRI ) , National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), and the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B), in collaboration with major Japanese research funding agencies namely Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

The meeting was held between this November 21-23.

Mr Anek welcomed participants by stating that the APEC 2022 was hosted successfully in Thailand reflects its readiness to be a host for international meetings. Meetings on funding research are critical as Thailand aims to become a developed country in 15 years.

The ministry supports development of new Thai researchers, both professional and non- professional, in applying researches in academic and everyday life as the minister continues to do it himself, such as in his research on working effectively and achieving successes.

He emphasizes the connection between science and art that are needed for society-wide implementation. it is important to note that economic growth is achieved through 2 paths, one from science and technology, the other from creativity.

“Together, the 2 paths can lead to development. For instance, the research on the 2,500-3,000 years history of Suvarnabhumi using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to analyze the covered physical layout of ancient ruins. Such findings indicates that Thailand is located in an area with a history of several thousands of years, as opposed to the 700 years commonly taught.”

Global Research Council is a collaboration between funding agencies from around the world, beginning by US National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2012.

This year makes history as the first time that Thai funding agencies host the GRC- Asia Pacific Regional Meeting with participating global funding leaders from 17 countries including Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Timor-Leste, Thailand, New Zealand, Brazil, the Philippines, Myanmar, China, Singapore, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Iran and Italy.

The goal of the meeting is for participants to share experience and prepare for the topics and agenda for the next annual meeting in the Netherlands in mid-2023 which will emphasis on climate change and reward and recognition mechanism for researchers.

Patamawadee Pochanukul, director of TSRI, added that Thailand has undergone a reform of its scientific, research and innovation system since 2019 or for 3 years now.

There are currently 9 funding agencies, which TSRI serves as national coordinator and allocates budget for relevant Thai agencies. The focus has been on funding researches on bio, circular, and green (BCG) economy.

This year’s meeting is participated by leading funding agencies in science and engineering from around the world.

This will determine the future of research and innovation of this region, and ability to use research as a tool for sustainable global and regional development.

In the meeting, Thailand showcases Program Management Unit on Area Based Development (PMU-A). This is a new dimension of support where local stakeholders such as local agencies and local communities can work together to nurture local entrepreneurs, with over 6,000 people participating, generating over 200 million baht in revenue for local communities across the country.

“This model of assistance which connect with a variety of local stakeholders will be considered by other international funding agencies. The model can then be reviewed at the next meeting in the Netherlands.”