A step toward overseas collaboration: iCeMS ties MoU with VISTEC of Thailand (29 February 2016)

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On 29 February 2016, Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell Material Sciences (iCeMS) established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thailand's Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC).

VISTEC is a Graduate School founded in 2015 by Thai state-owned petrol and gas company PPT, under the name of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand. Exchange between universities began last year marked by her royal higness's visit to iCeMS in April 2015, and since then, Assoc Prof Easan Sivaniah along with members of iCeMS have visited VISTEC on several occasions. Despite its short history, VISTEC has a clear goal of becoming the leading institution for research and education in Thailand's material an energy science fields in the next 5 years, and to build itself as a top-level institution in the South East Asia region within 10 years of establishment. Along with gathering talented scientists in and outside of Thailand, the institute is equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities. In addition to fortifying energy and molecular science, it is expecting to open a research institute specializing in molecular biology, one of the research fields at iCeMS.

iCeMS was the first institution chosen by one of the world's best research centers for a tie-up. This agreement is hoped to open doors for future collaboration ahead of the10-year mark since iCeMS' establishment.

Comment from Dr Pailin Chuchottaworn, VISTEC Council Chair

"This comprehensive agreement with iCeMS will be the first one that VISTEC has established with any party. We hope to further strengthen the partnership for many years to come."

Comment from iCeMS Director Susumu Kitagawa

"It is an honor that we are the first institution that VISTEC has established a comprehensive agreement with. Beyond this agreement, we would like to further enhance academic and scientific collaboration between the two institutions to help build the knowledge infrastructure of Thailand."

Comment from Mr Dusit Manapan, Royal Thai Consul General of Osaka

"Relationship between the two institutions began when HRH Princess Sirindhorn visited iCeMS last April. We would like to make a concerted effort in promoting the nation's support for these two research centers."

Prof Lintrakul (third from right) and holding hands Director Kitagawa (third from left)

Director Kitagawa giving an overview of iCeMS

Group picture in the classroom

Director Kitagawa (left) receiving an explanation about research content

The signing ceremony was attended by a Thai delegation including Dr Pailin Chuchottaworn, VISTEC Council Chair; Prof JuMras Limtraku, President of VISTEC; Mr Dusit Manapan, Royal Thai Consul General of Osaka, and an iCeMS delegation represented by Director Susumu Kitagawa, Assoc Prof Easan Sivaniah and few other younger researchers.

About iCeMS

Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell Material Sciences (iCeMS) was selected for the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI program), launched by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in 2007. iCeMS is the only center in Japan that is creating a new research field that combines cell biology, chemistry, and physics aiming to meaningfully impact the world in which we live. From this new field, many game-changing technologies have emerged, from those that potentially solve environmental problems like cleaning the water we drink and the air we breathe, to those that may advance medicine such as the rejuvenation of brain cells.

About the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)

WPI is a program launched by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in 2007. WPI not only provides priority support for projects aimed at creating world-class research, but also strives to revolutionize conventional modes of research operation and administration in Japanese universities. During the 10-year funding period given to each center, various efforts have been made to make this goal a reality. In these director-driven initiatives, English has been made the official language used in all centers, achieving a 30 % ratio of foreign researchers. As of today, WPI centers have produced two Nobel Laureates (Profs Shinya Yamanaka and Takaaki Kajita).

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