The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) led by Minister Choi Kiyoung announced that the Ministry virtually held 2020 The Rok-ASEAN Award for Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation and the KOR-ASEAN workshop on science and technology innovation after the COVID-19, in the morning on 22nd Apr.
The awards ceremony and workshop were jointly hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (“ASEAN”)* and Science & Technology Policy Institute.
* ASEAN member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
The awards ceremony and workshop were attended by some 100 including members of the MIST, Mission of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN, Science & Technology Policy Institute, government officials and policy experts.
The ASEAN-RoK Award for Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation was established through the 2019 ROK-ASEAN Commemorative Summit
The MSIT selects and awards two new scientists from ASEAN every year to encourage scientist from ASEAN to produce remarkable achievements in science and technology, and to strengthen the international science and technology networks between Korea and the ASEAN.
This year the awards went to Dr. Lawrence A. Limjuco from the Philippines, and Dr. Nur Hafizah Abd Khalid from Malaysia
The respective winner receives the prize money of USD 12,000 and Minister commendations from the Ministry of Science and ICT
Doctor Limjuco, who holds a master’s and PhD from Myungji Universtiy has dreams of contributing to the economic development of the Philippines by using his expertise in material engineering and energy.
In his acceptance speech, Limjucu said that “my achievements were possible because I adjusted to the lab culture of Korea which emphases choice and concentration and encourages meaningful research at the same time”,
He added that “my ultimate wish is to advance sustainability research in the ASEAN region.”
Doctor Khalid is researching eco-friendly materials with the aims of responding to climate change.
She said that “I am focusing on research to develop eco-friendly concrete using agriculture and industry wastes and hoping to advance the relevant fields of research with Korean researchers “.
She added that “I will actively engage in networking activities and my devotion for research will help me become a female scientist who can be a role model for the ASEAN.”
After the awards ceremony, the first KOR-ASEAN workshop on science and technology innovation after the COVID-19.
The workshop was designed to share policy cases and concerns of Korea and ASEAN countries under the theme of “COVID-19 Economic Recovery, Technology, Innovation, and Companies”.
The workshop was a place to share Korean policy cases and the Korean version of the New Deal and science and technology innovation policies to overcome the economic crisis caused the COVID-19 and achieve a major economic transformation.
In addition, discussions took place on the eco system tech startups and the COVID-19, and innovative SME support plans after the COVID-19.
Ambassador Lim Sungnam of the Mission of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN said, “As both the ASEAN and Korea are taking science and technology development and digital transformation as important policy tools for recovery after the COVID-19, we will support opportunities for mutual prosperity by further expanding mutual cooperation in the field of science and technology innovation.”
Jung Hee Kwon, Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau at the MSIT said, “ASEAN-Korea are moving toward an all-round cooperation relationship, valuing a sense of community that includes people, win-win prosperity, and peace.” He added that “the MSIT will continue to cooperate with the ASEAN to find agenda items for cooperation in science and technology after the COVID-19.”
Source: https://www.korea.net/Government/Briefing-Room/Press-Releases/
