Brisbane, Australia – December 2-6, 2024 – Dr. Uracha Ruktanonchai, Executive Director of the National Nanotechnology Center and Chair of the ASEAN Regional Research Infrastructure Strategy (ASEAN RRI), represented the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) at the International Conference on Research Infrastructure 2024 (ICRI2024). Along with delegates from ASEAN member states including Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the ASEAN Secretariat, Dr. Uracha participated in this pivotal event to strengthen ASEAN's presence in the global research infrastructure community.
ICRI2024 marked the first official participation of ASEAN delegates, underscoring the region's growing influence and commitment to advancing research infrastructure. The event served as a key milestone in the ongoing efforts of the ASEAN Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) community to establish the ASEAN Regional Research Infrastructure Strategy (ASEAN RRI). During the conference, Dr. Uracha represented ASEAN RRI in a session on "Institutional and Policy Frameworks for Inclusive Research Infrastructure Collaboration," highlighted the region's strategic role in research infrastructure.
Moreover, two ASEAN researchers, Dr. Pakpoom Buabthong, Deputy Director of the Office of Lifelong Learning at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, Thailand, and Joel Bautista, Chief of the Knowledge Innovation Division (KID) of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST), were selected as winners of the ASEAN Early Career Scientist Award. They spoke at the "Early Career Scientists: Pitch Session," sharing their visionary ideas for the research infrastructures the world will need by 2050.
ICRI is a major biennial forum for the global research infrastructure community. The 2024 edition, a collaboration between Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, the European Commission, and the Australian Department of Education, attracted 420 participants from 50 countries. These attendees included policymakers, research leaders, facility operators, and researchers, all gathered to discuss key trends, challenges, and opportunities facing research infrastructures worldwide. This year's conference was particularly significant as it was the first time ICRI was hosted in the Asia-Pacific region, bringing new perspectives and voices to global discussions on research infrastructure. A total of 11 Southeast Asian and Pacific nations attended the event.