Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. met with his Thai counterpart, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi, as the Department conducts Scientific Visit in Thailand.
The bilateral meeting between DOST and MHESI affirmed both Department’s (Ministries) commitment in continuing and further expanding the close Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) relations between the Philippines and Thailand for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
During the discussion, Secretary Solidum shared about the Department’s goals and undertakings anchored on its four strategic pillars, namely: (i) human well-being promotion; (ii) wealth creation; (iii) wealth protection ; and (i) sustainability. In this pursuit, DOST is glad to have Thailand as one of its longstanding partners.
On the other hand, MHESI Minister Isarabhakdi mentioned that Thailand’s current focus is on frontier research and high-skilled manpower development on Health Science, Artificial Intelligence, Electronic Vehicles, Semiconductors, Energy, Nuclear Fusion, and Space Technology. “I am also pleased to support our research agencies in exploring additional key areas of cooperation with your agencies that benefit both our countries and regional development,” the Minister added.
Signing of the MOA. Prior to this engagement, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on 21 January 2025. The MOA promotes cooperation on (i) organic fertilizer production; (ii) tissue culture, varietal improvement and selection; (iii) plant pest management; and (iv) post-harvest technologies.
“This agreement is a clear manifestation of our commitment to further strengthen and expand STI cooperation between the Philippines and Thailand. Specifically, this agreement promotes collaborative activities on agriculture, which is a priority and strength of both countries,” said DOST Secretary Solidum, witnessing the signing ceremony with MHESI Permanent Secretary Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul.
Aside from the aforementioned activities, the Working Group Meeting on STI between the Philippines and Thailand was also conducted wherein DOST agencies and their Thai counterparts agreed on the details / specifics of their collaborations in the areas of: (i) Innovative Agriculture, (ii) Medical Science, (iii) Food Processing and Nanotechnology, (iv) Synchrotron Utilization and Applications, (v) Landslide Prediction, (vi) High Performance Computing and Artificial Intelligence, and (vii) Talent Development and Mobility specifically on Quantum Technologies and Advanced Materials.
The DOST Delegation will also visit various Thai STI agencies such as National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, Synchrotron Light Research Institute, and TISTR.
The Secretary is also joined by Undersecretary for R&D Leah Buendia, PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo Ebora, PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit, ASTI Director Franz de Leon, ITDI Director Annabelle Briones, PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol, PNRI Deputy Director Vallerie Samson, Ms. Marianne Laya of PCHRD, and Ms. Mary Rose Anne Almazan of OUSECRD-ITCU. Vice Consul and Third Secretary Susan Sabado and Economic Assistant Attache Joan Arcero from the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok also formed part of the Philippine Delegation.
