Report：UEC holds the 8th UEC Seminar in ASEAN, FY2021

April 14, 2022

On March 5, 2022, UEC held the 8th UEC Seminar in ASEAN, FY2021, in a hybrid session with onsite and online at King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok（KMUTNB）in Thailand. The UEC Seminar in ASEAN has been annually organized by the UEC ASEAN Research and Education Center since 2015.

This was the 8th seminar, and featured presentations and discussions under the theme of Resume collaborations during the "with-corona" era in the context of COVID-19 exit strategies. The participants explored ways in which to re-accelerate collaboration in the future. The seminar began with opening remarks by the vice president of KMUTNB Prof. Somrerk Chandra-ambhorn and UEC President Tano Shunichi, followed by speeches from 18 guests representing the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, ASEAN partner universities, and research institutes. Following the guest speeches, the vice presidents of King Mongkut's University of Technology Thornburi and Le Quy Don Technical University expressed their expectations for future exchanges. Then, many examples were shared with regard to active collaboration between ASEAN universities and UEC in the age of living with COVID-19, as well as UEC's ongoing efforts to expand its international education. Also, the activities of Japanese government-affiliated organizations that encourage collaboration with Japanese universities in the ASEAN region were introduced. These organizations include the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, the Japan Science and Technology Agency, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Finally, participants were divided into four online sessions to discuss specific ways in which to promote further collaboration. The seminar closed with closing remarks by Prof. Abe Koji, member of the board of directors for International Strategy of UEC.

The seminar was held in a hybrid session, connecting onsite and online participants at KMUTNB. It featured approximately 70 participants, including the representatives of universities, companies, and government agencies from ASEAN countries, as well as KMUTNB officials, who engaged in active discussions. At the end of the fiscal year, the participants discuss exit strategies for the age of living with COVID-19. The seminar was a good opportunity to reaffirm and reaccelerate collaboration among partner universities and research institutions.

The 8th UEC Seminar in ASEAN Online Group Photo