National Research Council of Thailand and Swedish Research Council Discuss Research Collaboration Guidelines During STS forum 2025 – The 22nd Annual Meeting
5 October 2025
Discuss Research Collaboration Guidelines During STS forum 2025 – The 22nd Annual Meeting
On 5 October 2025, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, led by Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of NRCT, together with Ms. Sirinporn Deawtrakool, Deputy Executive Director, Professor Dr. Sanong Ekgasit, Associate Professor Dr. Anak Khantachawana, Associate Professor Dr. Dusit Athinuwat, Academic Advisory Committee, Ms. Kwansiri Chonyuth, Director of Group of International Affairs, and NRCT officials, held a meeting with representatives from the Swedish Research Council, Sweden. The Swedish delegation was led by Dr. Katarina Bjelke, Director General, accompanied by Dr. Lena Renner, Senior Analyst, and Ms. Marie Gezelius, Executive Assistant to the Director General. The discussion took place during the STS forum 2025 – The 22nd Annual Meeting at the Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto), Kyoto, Japan.
Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), noted that as Thailand’s main research and innovation funding agency under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, NRCT plays a key role in promoting and supporting collaboration with research and innovation organizations worldwide, particularly through bilateral and multilateral partnerships. Currently, NRCT works closely with leading research funding agencies in both Europe and Asia, including JSPS of Japan, DFG of Germany, the British Council of the United Kingdom, as well as through the Belmont Forum initiative. She also highlighted the “Hub of Talent” initiative, which brings together Thai researchers with specialized expertise to serve as a strong collaborative base in specific fields. This network can be effectively connected with researchers from universities and research centers in Sweden to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Dr. Katarina Bjelke, Director General of the Swedish Research Council, shared that the Swedish Research Council is the largest government research funding agency in Sweden. It plays a key role in supporting high-quality research across all disciplines, while also serving as an advisory body to the Swedish Government on research policy.
She explained that the Swedish Research Council maintains bilateral agreements with a number of countries and organizations worldwide, with cooperation covering three main areas:
- Joint research projects and workshops
- Access to research infrastructure
- International researcher mobility and exchange
Sweden has established research partnerships with several countries, including China, Japan, and South Korea. The Council also offers funding programs that are open to international collaboration, allowing Swedish researchers to carry out joint projects with overseas partners and apply directly for international research funding. This flexible approach helps facilitate smooth and effective collaboration.
The discussion marked an important starting point for advancing research and innovation cooperation between Thailand and Sweden, reflecting the shared commitment of both agencies to building strategic partnerships, expanding opportunities, and enhancing the quality of research in both countries in the future.
