NRCT, NSTDA and Thai Universities Meet with Science Tokyo to Advance Joint Workshop 2027 and Strengthen Research Collaboration
12 November 2026
On 2 November 2026, Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), assigned Dr. Sirinporn Deawtrakool, Deputy Executive Director of NRCT, to lead a delegation comprising NRCT distinguished experts and officials, executives and staff from the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), as well as faculty members and students from the TAIST-Science Tokyo program, to meet with representatives of the Institute of Science Tokyo at its Ookayama Campus in Japan.
The delegation was welcomed by Ms. Tomomi Kawazoe, a representative of Science Tokyo ANNEX, together with representatives of the International Affairs Group.
The meeting focused on preparations for Joint Workshop 2027, with discussions on transforming the event from a research showcase into a more interactive workshop featuring roundtable discussions and in-depth exchanges. The proposed approach aims to connect the knowledge and expertise of academic institutions with the needs of Thailand's industrial sector and research institutes. This would help identify opportunities for collaborative research, develop research topics that address practical needs, and advance research outcomes towards real-world applications.
Participants also exchanged views on identifying priority research areas aligned with the expertise of both parties and emerging technological trends. In addition, they discussed opportunities to strengthen academic pathways from master's to doctoral degree programs under the TAIST-Science Tokyo program, as well as the possibility of establishing joint research funding mechanisms to provide sustained support for the long-term development of highly skilled researchers.
The meeting represents an important step towards strengthening research collaboration and developing research talent between Thailand and Japan. NRCT will consider the outcomes of the discussions in advancing international research funding cooperation, strengthening links between academia and industry, and supporting the development of highly skilled researchers to meet the country's future needs.
