​14 September 2013

Two leading Australian scientists, Dr Scott Watkins (CSIRO) and Dr Joe Shapter (Flinders University), recently visited Thailand to showcase Australia’s research strengths in nanotechnology and renewable energy, and to build relationships with Thailand’s research agencies and universities.

Dr Watkins and Dr Shapter travelled to Bangkok to participate in Thailand’s National Science Fair, where they conducted seminars for research students and lecturers from Thailand’s research universities. Thailand’s National Science Fair is held annually, and attracts around 40,000 visitors each day during the 10 day exhibition period. Dr Watkins talked about the development of thin film solar cells, and Dr Shapter presented on nanotechnology and the innovative ways it is being used.

Dr Watkins and Dr Shapter visited NANOTEC, Thailand’s leading research institute for nanotechnology and part of the National Science and Technology Development Agency. At NANOTEC, the scientists gave presentations, visited labs and met with staff and researchers to discuss areas of future collaboration, which supports that investment that the Thai Government is making in research in renewable energy and nanotechnology.

Dr Watkins also visited King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, one of Thailand’s nine national research universities, and a leader in engineering and energy research.  There, Dr Watkins met with research staff and graduate students and was able to discuss possible academic collaboration.

The visit not only showed Australia’s strengths in nanotechnology and renewable energy, but demonstrated the burgeoning strength of Thai researchers in these two key areas, and Thailand’s aspirations to becoming a global participant in innovative scientific research, especially amongst ASEAN nations.

Dr Scott Watkins and Dr Joe Shapter at National Science Week, Bangkok, 2013.