On April 7, 2013 Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn witnessed the signing ceremony on nanotechnology collaboration between NANOTEC (a member of NSTDA) and the Nanochemical Center of Peking University. Signing the agreement on behalf of NANOTEC was Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai, Executive Director and on behalf of Peking University was Professor Liu Zhongfan, Director of the Center for Nanochemistry.
The collaboration follows an initiative of HRH who wishes to see an extension of relationship between Chulalongkorn University and Peking University that has been ongoing for several years. In response to this initiative and to mark the celebration of HRH 60th birthday, Peking University recommended the establishment of nanotechnology research centers in both countries. Under this project, two Sirindhorn nanotechnology research centers will be set up, either at NANOTEC or Chulalongkorn University, and the other at Peking University.
The centers will focus on nanotechnology researches in energy, health, environment, electronics and education. Students completing courses either in Bangkok or Beijing will be awarded degrees by both universities. In addition, a Sirindhorn fellowship will also be established to promote interest from potential applicants.
This proposed reserch center will compliment the already existing Center of Excellence (CoE Phase 2 research collaboration) Agreement between NANOTEC and Chulalongkorn University which was signed on August 9, 2012 in Bangkok. The aim of CoE (Phase 2) Agreement will focus on joint research collaboration to create high impact results in industrial and commercial sectors. It will still continue the academic related funding such as paper publication and patent which was present in Phase 1.