The workshop overview (Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/)Thailand and China have joined hands to strengthen scientific knowledge and promote an exchange of their scientists for the excellence in biodiversity.
Minister of Science and Technology Pichet Durongkaveroj presided over the opening of an international workshop on science and technology under the cooperation between the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) on one side, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on the other side, in Bangkok on August 20.
The workshop was held with the objective of tightening cooperation between the CAS and the afore-mentioned Thai agencies, and to be the stage for an exchange of knowledge and experiences between scientists and specialists involved with a focus on the excellence in biodiversity.
Minister Pichet said at the opening ceremony that the two countries have engaged in scientific cooperation since 2006 under an MOU made between the MOST and the CAS. The two sides agreed to the holding of the workshop in biodiversity development which is the subject that both countries have the potential.
He said that the MOST’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), and the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) have engaged in high-quality researches on biodiversity, while the TRF has always been supporting this topic of research in many universities and agencies.
The workshop included discussions on such research topics as the bioactive compounds in organisms, the commercially developed natural extracts, the test of medicinal performance; and researches and development of the agricultural technology in marine and oceanography in mushroom growing, and in microbiology.
The event also included lectures on biodiversity by Dr Jin Chen from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, BIOTEC Executive Director Dr. Kanyawim Kirtikara, and post-harvest technology specialist from Chiang Mai University Prof.Dr. Saisamorn Lumyong. There are also bilateral discussions and roundtable discussions between Thai and Chinese experts.-VNA/NNT
