UK and Thailand unveil 15.3 billion baht science fund

[webfact]

 

In a historic move announced in Bangkok, the British Embassy and Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) have joined forces to roll out the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF).

 

This jaw-dropping 337-million-British-pound (15.3 billion baht) venture, set to be fully operational by the year’s end, is poised to revolutionise the realms of science and innovation on a global scale.

 

Prompted by the pressing environmental crises gripping our planet, the ISPF sets its sights on nurturing sustainable scientific breakthroughs while fostering collaborative efforts amongst international partners. With a laser focus on four pivotal themes, Resilient Planet, Transformative Technologies, Healthy People, Animal and Plants, and Tomorrow’s Planet, this initiative aims to spearhead solutions to some of humanity’s most daunting challenges.

British ambassador Mark Gooding expressed fervent enthusiasm.

“We are seeking collaborations from different sectors to work together between two countries and take forward the scientific research and development to tackle the big global challenges together.”

 

Echoing this sentiment, Sirirurg Songsivilai, chairperson of TSRI’s science, research, and innovation promotion committee, highlighted the pivotal role of international cooperation.

 

“With the launch of this fund, it augments our belief that international collaboration is crucial.”

 

For Thailand, this monumental fund spells a boon for institutions like Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF), Transforming Systems Through Partnerships (TSP), and the MRC-SEA One Health and Pandemic Preparedness programme. Patamawadee Pochanukul, TSRI’s president, stressed the importance of forward-thinking research strategies in confronting emerging challenges, such as potential new diseases, reported Bangkok Post.

Furthermore, the ISPF underlines the enduring commitment to tackling environmental issues through sustained collaboration between the UK and Thailand, two nations with a rich history of cooperation.

 

“We are glad to be partnered with the UK in developing our research system. With the national and public benefits as our prime focus, we will intensify our research and use our budget wisely.”

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-22

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

[AlexRich]

It doesn't cost £337 million pounds to understand that the annual burning of farm and related waste is not promoting better outcomes in the fields of healthy people, animals and plants, as well as the Earth in general. Stop doing that, and save £337 million wasted on a bunch of academic scientists selling hats to each other.

 

[Muhendis]

A committee is involved.

That'l whittle away some of the funding.

[topt]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

two nations with a rich history of cooperation.

What in? 

[Will B Good]

5 minutes ago, topt said:

What in? 

Lots of expats cooperate on a frequent basis with many Thais.

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

This jaw-dropping 337-million-British-pound (15.3 billion baht) venture, set to be fully operational by the year’s end

Can you just imagine the skimming off that figure?

[roquefort]

That kind of money should produce plenty of studies with the results the Western governments have ordered funded.

[parallelman]

🤑That'll boost the brown paper bag sales a bit. By the time this and that committee is formed they'll be asking for more

[mrfill]

Except, of course, the story is a bit short on detail. Like the fact that the fund was set up in December 2022 with £119m being allocated and the additional £237m was added in December 2023. It is a fund to be used globally, not just in Thailand and so far Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam have shown interest in the fund. Grants of up to £100,000 can be awarded to UK institutions to collaborate in research.

 

Not quite the magic money pit it is being puffed up as being.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-science-partnerships-fund-ispf/international-science-partnerships-fund-ispf

 

https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/news/opportunities/grants-international-research-collaborations

[roquefort]

21 minutes ago, mrfill said:

Except, of course, the story is a bit short on detail. Like the fact that the fund was set up in December 2022 with £119m being allocated and the additional £237m was added in December 2023. It is a fund to be used globally, not just in Thailand and so far Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam have shown interest in the fund. Grants of up to £100,000 can be awarded to UK institutions to collaborate in research.

 

Not quite the magic money pit it is being puffed up as being.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-science-partnerships-fund-ispf/international-science-partnerships-fund-ispf

 

https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/news/opportunities/grants-international-research-collaborations

Thanks for the clarification. There's usually more to these stories than meets the eye. Very lazy 'copy & paste' journalism.

[John Drake]

Remember where your UK tax dollars are going the next time you get skipped over for 90 day visa free entry to Thailand.

[proton]

How much would it cost to upgrade our pensions?

[roquefort]

1 hour ago, proton said:

How much would it cost to upgrade our pensions?

I suspect rather less than the £5 million a day being spent to house illegal immigrants.