On 18 October, JSPS Bangkok Office organized a JSPS guidance seminar at Thailand National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) that is located in Thailand Science Park. This is the second seminar since 2014, and two organizations, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Japan-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Platform (JASTIP), also joined the seminar.
NSTDA is supervised by Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and is responsible for developing S&T in the nation including research development, technology transfer and human resource development. Four NSTDA affiliated institutions, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), and National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), are also in the science park.
Before the seminar, we made a courtesy visit to Dr. Chadamas Thuvasethakul, Executive Vice President for Policy Research, Information and Organization Communications of NSTDA, together with Mr. Masaki Sato, Director of JST Singapore Office, Mr. Yoshihide Kobayashi, Chief of JST Singapore Office and e-ASIA Special Program Coordinator of e-ASIA JRP Secretariat Office, and Assoc. Prof. Akira Takagi, Project Director of JASTIP, and exchanged opinions on each organization’s activities and the restructure of Thai institutions related S&T.
Courtesy visit
The seminar started with an opening address by Dr. Chadamas, and then Prof. Kuniaki Yamashita, Director of JSPS Bangkok Office, explained JSPS’s outline, followed by the introduction of its international programs by Ms. Noriko Furuya, Deputy Director, and Mr. Toshio Ohta, International Program Associate.
Dr. Chadamas, Executive Vice President of NSTDA
Prof. Yamashita, Director of JSPS Bangkok Office
The next speakers, Mr. Sato explained JST’s outline and Mr. Kobayashi introduced Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) and its international programs such as e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP) and Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science (SAKURA Exchange Program in Science). Mr. Takagi also introduced JASTIP that aims to build a platform for Japan-ASEAN science and technology cooperation.
Mr. Sato, Director of JST Singapore Office
Mr. Kobayashi, Chief of JST Singapore Office and e-ASIA Special Program Coordinator of e-ASIA JRP Secretariat Office
Assoc. Prof. Takagi, Project Director of JASTIP
We could provide the participants with comprehensive information such as the difference between JSPS and JST, and the special feature of JASTIP that utilizes both agencies’ programs. Moreover, we gave advice to each of researcher who wishes to do research in Japan.
