Project News

Three on-going SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) projects in Thailand and JICA AUN/SEED-net (ASEAN University Network/ Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network) got together and held a joint workshop for the first time in Thailand on the 18th of November at Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa.

This workshop under the theme "Innovation for Sustainable Society" was supported by King

Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi and the Joint Graduate School of Energy and

Environment (JGSEE) and was held as a pre-conference for the Sustainable Energy and

Environment Forum.

Approximately 150 people from academic, private and government sectors, who have a high interest in utilization of renewable energies and capacity development for innovation, participated in the workshop.

The program had two keynote speeches, "Innovation and promotion of R&D to make Thailand as the advanced center of the region" given by Mr. Thanin Paem, Deputy Secretary General of Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and "Policy for the evolution of scientific technology in Thailand" by Mr.Yongvut Saovapruk, Governor, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR).

Following the keynote speeches, there were presentations of the activities and research outcomes of AUN/SEED-net and 3 SATREPS projects: "Development of Clean and Efficient Utilization of Low Rank Coals and Biomass by Solvent Treatment", "Development of New Biodiesel Synthesis in Thailand", and "Innovation on Production and Automotive Utilization of Biofuels from Non-food Biomass". These projects are currently conducting research in the field of either Environment and Energy or in Bioresources.

Our research director, Dr. Yoshimura, introduced the up-coming on-road test using an Isuzu pick-up track (Euro4 engine) in his presentation on our project.

Our project will carry out an on-road test to verify the automotive compatibility of H-FAME production technology as applied to currently used palm based bio-diesel in Thailand.

We will test the fuel of B20 H-FAME, which is 20% by volume Palm H-FAME blended with 80 %of Thai petro-diesel and is about three times higher blending than the fuel used in the Thai market.

The last agenda of the workshop was a panel discussion on "How to facilitate ‘Innovation' for strengthening Thai's economic competitiveness under the ASEAN economic integration"

Five knowledgeable people from universities, NESDB, and National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office presented their views.

The JICA SATREPS Workshop provided opportunities for participants to understand policies and systems for promotion of innovation in Thailand and also to recognize the importance of further strengthening international cooperation in science and technology between Thailand and Japan, in order to address global issues and to create innovation.

We will continue to work together with other projects and related organization so that all the parties involved can benefit and enhance their outcomes.

Speakers from left: Prof. Asami(The University of Kiyakyushu), Specially Appointed Prof. Miura (Kyoto University), Mr. Saovapruk (Governor, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research), Mr. Ikeda, Chief Representative of JICA Thailand Office, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fungtammasan (King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi), Mr. Paem, (Deputy Secretary General of Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board) and Dr. Yoshimura (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology) Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Science and Technology, the deputy governor of Chiang Mai and the other Thai VIP visited JICA exhibition.

Mr.Yongvut Saovapruk, Governor, TISTR gives a keynote speech

Mr. Kato, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) introduces SATREPS

Many guest attended