NRCT Participates in Funding Agency Presidents’ Meeting (FAPM) at STS forum 2025, Driving AI Human Capital Development in Kyoto, Japan
6 October 2025
On 6 October 2025, Dr. Wiparat De-Ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), participated in The 15th Funding Agency Presidents’ Meeting (FAPM)—a special session convening heads of funding agencies from around the world. The meeting was held under the theme “Co-Developing AI-literate Human Resources” during the STS forum 2025 – The 22nd Annual Meeting at the Kyoto International Conference Center in Kyoto, Japan. The meeting was officially opened by Kazuhito Hashimoto, President of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). A keynote address was delivered by Gunther Dissertori, Rector of the ETH Zurich, with remarks also provided by Hiroshi Komiyama, Chairman of the STS forum.
Dr. Wiparat De-Ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), shared her perspectives on the role of funding agencies in developing AI-literate human resources. She emphasized the importance of collaboration among academia, government, and industry, and highlighted four key priorities for AI human resource development:
- AI literacy and foundational understanding
- the appropriate selection and use of AI tools
- the ability to assess the impact and accuracy of AI-generated information
- ethics in AI utilization
Dr. Wiparat also cited key NRCT initiatives, such as the Research and Researchers for Industry (RRI) Program, which supports graduate students in conducting research that addresses industrial needs. In addition, NRCT provides research grants in digital technology, artificial intelligence, and automation, integrating collaboration with the private sector to enhance Thailand’s industrial competitiveness. These efforts aim to cultivate a workforce equipped with skills aligned with labor market demands, establish clear research career pathways, and foster long-term motivation and sustainability in human resource development.
The Funding Agency Presidents’ Meeting (FAPM) was first established in 2010 through collaboration between the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) as a platform for exchanging views on research funding directions and international research collaboration. This year marked the 15th meeting, bringing together senior executives from more than 62 national and international funding agencies across 30 countries. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss global research system challenges and to strengthen tangible international networks. A central focus was the development of AI-literate human resources, recognized as a fundamental driver of the global economy and society in the future.
