The science agencies of Philippines and Thailand are set to work together in eight areas in science, technology and innovation. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Thailand agreed to work together in areas, including medical science, food processing, innovative agriculture, electronics and computer, nanotechnology, space technology, innovative start-up and metrology.
The collaboration was fleshed out when the Philippine delegation led by Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña met with MOST Minister Atchaka Sibunruang and her heads of agencies during a ministerial meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, from August 23 to 26.
The partnership was cemented on March 31, when the Philippines, through de la Peña signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Kingdom of Thailand. Following the MOA signing was a Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) that identified areas of collaboration between the two countries.
Heading the Philippine delegation for the SOM was Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation Dr. Leah J. Buendia, while the MOST delegation was led by Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr. Pathom Sawanpanyalert.
Details of the implementation of the partnership are currently being forged by working committees. Sibunruang and de la Peña said they were happy with the progress of the meeting and expressed their respective desires to realize the agreed collaboration.
The Philippines and Thailand have continuously maintained a cordial and stable relationship, recognizing each other’s strength in terms of economic and industrial growth.