On February 26, 2016, Japan-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Platform (JASTIP) held its opening ceremony at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador in Bangkok, Thailand (Fig. 1). In the opening ceremony a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed by four parties; Kyoto University, Japan, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand, Ministry of Science and Technology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (Lembaga Limu Pengetahuan Indonesia or LIPI) and Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT).

In 2015, Kyoto University launched the “Japan- ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Platform (JASTIP): Promotion of Sustainable Development Research” within the framework of the Collaboration Hubs for International Research Program (CHIRP) 2015 funded by the Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP) of Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

JASTIP’s objective is to conduct and produce innovative research and promote research cooperation between Japan and ASEAN countries. JASTIP will be more than mere networking for the research community. It will serve as a platform to connect research results and feed them back into society.

JASTIP is based at the Kyoto University ASEAN Center in Bangkok and its focus is on Energy and Environment Research in which NSTDA plays a key role. JASTIP is also engaged in Biological Resource and Biodiversity Research (coordinated by LIPI) and Disaster Prevention (MJIIT).

Fig.1 Group photograph of the opening ceremony

This project will accelerate the promotion of research based on Japanese-ASEAN cooperation, and encourage discussions toward building a collaborative system with ASEAN in the areas of science, technology, and research education that moves beyond the walls of institutions or the confines of a particular project. It also aims to contribute to the efficient operation of individual projects, and to the utilization of effective results. JASTIP will promote information sharing and the exchange of ideas regarding the limits to and problems with Japanese- ASEAN science and technology and research education projects, and effective support systems. We aim to broaden discussions on the inclusive Japanese system that Japan requires and on the goals of this project.

In December 2015, the ASEAN Economic Community came into formation, compromising a population of over 600 million people. The international position of Japan within ASEAN is being further cemented, and the fact that ASEAN growth will be a driving force in new growth for Japan is substantial to Japan. In particular, for science and technology, as well as research education, to assume an important role, the results need to be linked to societal innovation, and their positive effects on society more clearly demonstrated.

Prof. Kono Yasuyuki project leader of JASTIP has noted, on the establishment of JASTIP, that joint research between Japan and ASEAN countries has been ongoing for a long time and given rise to remarkable achievements in science and technology. In addition, joint research has engendered a number of researchers in leading positions and helped train researchers who have become subsequent leaders in the field. The goal is to develop a broader understanding in Japan and ASEAN societies of the academic achievements for which a community should be proud, and to accelerate research that will be a driving force in our shared goal to attain sustainable development under closer collaboration between Japan and the ASEAN countries. For this type of research promotion, we believe that researchers should not limit themselves to their respective fields of expertise, but should go beyond their research fields and countries for collaboration and dedicate themselves for research and human resource development by working together with various stakeholders involved in sustainable development. We respectfully request that all interested parties find a means of cooperation toward this worthwhile goal.

For more information on JASTIP visit the site below.
http://jastip.org/en/
https://www.facebook.com/jastip/

If you have any inquiries regarding the contents of our
project, please contact us at the following email address:
jastip-contact@kura.kyoto-u.ac.jp