Prof. Charlotte Watts, Chief Scientific Adviser and Ms. Sandra Brown, Chief of Staff from Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), together with Ms. Victoria O’Callaghan, Senior Health Adviser and Mr. Chavit Uttamachai, Science and Innovation Adviser from British Embassy Bangkok paid a visit to the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) on 23rd February 2023. The discussion topics revolved around priority research areas to work with Thailand, the demands and knowledge gaps and the impact of funded works between the two countries.
Dr. Uracha Ruktanonchai, NSTDA Executive Vice President and Dr. Nataporn Chanvarasuth, BIOTEC Deputy Executive Director gave brief introduction of NSTDA and BIOTEC respectively. Showcase of funded projects from BIOTEC includes 1.) Newton Institutional Links: International Network for Shrimp Health (INSH) aiming to link leading research laboratories in the UK and Thailand with government and industry stakeholders in order to meet the needs for rapid access to pathogen detection and surveillance services, 2.) GCRF: Establishment of biopharmaceutical and animal vaccine production capacity in Thailand and neighbouring South East Asian countries and 3.) FCDO: “Enhancing Climate Resilience in Thailand’s Local Food System through Policy, Innovation and Technology”. The delegates also discussed collaboration on food security through the International Joint Research Center on Food Security, founded by Queen’s University Belfast, Thammasat University and BIOTEC/NSTDA and capacity building for production of high-valued biologics and policy research.
