On 25 July, JSPS Bangkok Office organized a JSPS guidance seminar at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. The university is one of the leading national universities in Thailand, and it was ranked the second among Thai universities in the latest Asia University Ranking compiled by Times Higher Education. In addition, the university strongly promote internationalization by receiving overseas researchers and students and also academic collaboration with Japan.

To begin with the opening, Assoc. Prof. Vanida Bhavakul, Advisor to the President, who conducted her research in a Japanese university by receiving JSPS’s Long Term Invitation Fellowship, gave an opening address. 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.

Assoc. Prof. Vanida

Assist. Prof. Anak

Ms. Furuya

As next speaker, Dr. Pitch Sutheerawatthana, a member of JSPS Alumni Association of Thailand made his presentation. Dr. Pitch, who has experienced in research at the University of Tokyo as a JSPS post-doctoral fellow, explained about research activities and life in Japan.

Dr. Pitch

And the last speaker was Prof. Tatsuji Seki, Advisor to the President for International Affairs. He gave advice for participants that it is important to be more specific about research plan and give some impact on judge when they will apply for the JSPS programs.

Prof. Seki

More than 80 young and mid-career researchers participated in the seminar. Therefore, we received many questions about Bilateral Programs and Core-to-Core Program during Q&A session. Some of them have tried to apply for JSPS programs and asked us more specific questions. Dr. Pitch and Dr. Seki gave useful advice for them and Dr. Anak Khantachawana, Assistant to the President for Internationalization, encouraged them to apply for JSPS programs.

Group Photo

Courtesy visit to Dr. Pornapit (middle of front row)