ASEAN Research Councils

ASEAN Research Councils
“An Initiative for Information Sharing and Research Networking”

Dr. Sovathana Sokhom
February 25, 2014

The second meeting of the ASEAN Research Councils on “An Initiative for Information Sharing and Research Networking” took place in the Philippines. The meetings are part of the Philippines and Thailand’s National Research Council initiatives to form a research network where information can be shared by the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) member states. The Councils objectives are to:

  1. To bring together research and development heads and management personnel and equivalent agencies in ASEAN to discuss and implement practical ways of moving towards the ASEAN dream of unity, in terms of economic and sociocultural development.
  2. To encourage the development and setting up of a unified system for data sharing among ASEAN members states.
  3. To discuss and find ways to carrying out joint activities / projects / programs for the benefit of ASEAN.
  4. To examine and plan strategies for cost-effective development of facilities and regional laboratory.

The overall objective of this meeting is to examine the challenges and opportunities of creating a research council for each member ASEAN countries. Having an ASEAN research network helps facilitate collaborative research, information dissemination, and knowledge sharing across research areas and countries. The funding for this project is supported by Canada’s International Development Research Center (IDRC-CRDI). The project consists of three workshops including:

  1. The first workshop examined the challenges and opportunities in “Information and Knowledge Sharing within Country.” It took place at Dusit Island Resort, Chiang Rai, Thailand on January 27-28, 2014.
  2. The second workshop looked at challenges and opportunities in having research councils to facilitate “Information and Knowledge Sharing Among ASEAN Countries.” It took place at Astoria Plaza, Ortigas Pasign City, Philippines on February 22-23, 2014.
  3. The third workshop will explore mission, stakeholders, resources, processes, and capacitybuilding initiative in “Information and Knowledge Sharing Among ASEAN NRCs.” It will be conducted in Thailand in May 2014.

Currently, the ASEAN Research Council is looking for a principal research council in Cambodia. The University of Cambodia has the potential to house and act as a focal point for research repository documents for Cambodia. At the same time, the University will be able to network and connect with other ASEAN research councils and institutions.

The broad agreement to form research councils in ASEAN member states was based on the agreement at the Singapore meeting (Sept 10-11, 2007) on “Information Sharing Within ASEAN.” Ideally the formation of an informal and flexible network of national councils with institutional back-up could engage in state of the art reviews of innovation systems, document experiences and successes. The underlying theme would be innovation in and for the Bottom of the Pyramid (Segundo E. Romero, PhD).