In celebration of the 60th anniversary of Thailand – Australia bilateral relations, NANOTEC in cooperation with the Australian Education International, Australian Embassy in Bangkok hosted the Thailand-Australia Symposium: New Frontier on Advanced Functional Nanomaterials on October 18-19 at the InterContinental Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. The 2 days symposium is the magnet that brings together leading Australian and Thai researchers, scientists and university lecturers wishing to discuss and exchange research information in areas related to: Nanomaterials for Sensing and Electronic Devices, Nanomaterials for Energy and Environment, and Nanocharacterization and Analysis.
“The bilateral relations between our two countries are dynamic ranging from the Free Trade Agreement signed in 2003 to tourism, educational, and high-levels visits. These relations help to form the bond that enhances mutual trust, openness, and respect for one another” said Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai, Executive Director of NANOTEC who gave the Welcome Remarks. “The symposium is one of the mechanisms that will help us move forward and strengthen the relationship across the full range of our bilateral and regional engagement”.
Also giving the Opening Remark was H.E. Mr. James Wise, Australian Ambassador to Thailand. “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 60 years ago, the relationship has prospered” said Ambassador Wise. “The foundation of Australian-Thai relations – both our friendship and our capacity to work together has rested on how well Thais and Australians understand each other. The most important investment in the future of Australian-Thai relations is the continuous nurturing of knowledge and contacts among the people of both countries”.
Ambassador Wise went on to say that Australia and Thailand’s collaborative research relationship is underpinned by the 2004 Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of Australia. In 2010, Australia was Thailand’s 4th most frequent collaborative partner, participating in 4.6% of Thailand’s international joint publications. He hopes that this collaborative connection will grow much stronger.
Seven Australia’s leading technology and research universities along with representatives of Australia’s premier scientific and industrial research organisation, the CSIRO are participating in the symposium. Representative from Thailand are researchers from Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Suranaree University of Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, and NANOTEC.
