NRCT and Advanced Technology Research Council Discuss Proactive Collaboration on Research Funding and Thai-UAE Researcher Exchange at the STS Forum 2024 – The 21st Annual Meeting in Tokyo, Japan
On Monday, October 7, 2024, at the STS Forum 2024 – The 21st Annual Meeting in Kyoto, Japan, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, represented by Ms. Sirinporn Diowtrakool, Research System Expert, and her team, met with the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) to discuss establishing bilateral collaboration between Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This meeting was a part of ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation between NRCT and ATRC.
Ms. Sirinporn explained that NRCT, as the Thai government's research and innovation funding agency, focuses on supporting Thai researchers in both basic and applied research. She emphasized the importance of international research collaboration and proposed joint activities, such as co-organizing seminars on topics of mutual interest like biotechnology, energy, climate change, and AI. Additionally, she proposed opportunities for Thai researchers to conduct research at ATRC-affiliated institutions for six months to two years.
Mr. Nizar Al Schekhil, Senior Director of ATRC, mentioned that ATRC, a research funding agency based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, supports its own research centers specializing in science and technology, with a focus on projects with Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of 3 or higher. He expressed interest in expanding ATRC's partnerships with research organizations in Asia, including Thailand.
ATRC oversees 10 research centers in science and technology fields, such as the Advanced Materials Research Center, Cryptography Research Center, Quantum Research Center, Secure System Research Center, and Artificial Intelligence Research Center. This meeting marked an important starting point for strengthening research and innovation collaboration between Thailand and the UAE, which will help build strong bilateral relations in the future.
The meeting was also attended by Associate Professor Dr. Dusit Athinuwat, academic expert; Ms. Kwansiri Chonyut, Director of the International Relations Group; and NRCT staff members.
