On 28 September 2018, NSTDA and Kyoto University entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Academic Cooperation and Exchange. Representing the two organizations in the signing ceremony were Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul, NSTDA President, and Dr. Kayo Inaba, Executive Vice-President for Gender Equality, International Affairs, and Public Relations.
Since 2015, NSTDA and Kyoto University has been carrying out joint research in the field of energy and the environment under the Japan-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Platform (JASTIP). Joint research between NSTDA and Kyoto University focuses on biomass to energy and value-added chemicals (B2EC) and consists of three sub-projects, namely:
• Photocatalytic Conversion of Biomass to Value-Added Fuels and Chemicals,
• Development of Carbon Materials from Biomass for Energy Storage Applications, and
• Innovations in Biomass Application for Catalytic Material Synthesis and Energy Devices
In addition to Thai and Japanese researchers, the joint project also engages researchers from ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Myanmar and Lao PDR.
This newly signed MOU aims to strengthen on-going activities under JASTIP and expand the collaboration to other fields of mutual interest and to other countries in ASEAN.
The MOU signing took place in an event organized by Kyoto University in Bangkok to commemorate the NGO status recently awarded to Kyoto University ASEAN Center in Bangkok by Thailand’s Ministry of Labour.