National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan has taken a significant step in enhancing international academic collaboration through a recent visit to the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) in Thailand. This visit marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing partnership between NTHU and MTEC, further deepening their joint commitment to advancing research and innovation.
The collaboration between NTHU and MTEC, a prestigious Institute under National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand began in 2021 with the establishment of the Taiwan-Thailand Research Center on Clean Water Innovation and Sustainable Energy (referred to as the Taiwan-Thailand WISE Center) office in MTEC. Following by the mutual collaboration activities and the signature of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 17, 2023, the collaborative partnership between NTHU and MTEC has been solidified. To further reinforce the academic research relationship, chair professor Sinn-Wen Chen, director of the WISE Center, and the NTHU delegate embarked on a visit to MTEC on January 16, 2024. Warmly welcomed by the Executive Director of MTEC, Dr. Toemsak Srikhirin and presided over by Apinya Panupat, Head of the International Cooperation Division, Chair Professor Chen and his team had a round-table discussion with MTEC representatives on the topics of water-energy nexus, water quality monitoring, and sensing technology.
After the fruitful discussion, Chair Professor Chen was invited to give a lecture entitled “Understanding Peculiar Material Behaviors through Phase Diagrams”, which focuses on the characterization of alloys and their possible applications in a wide variety of areas including environment and energy. This talk was a resounding success and drew engaged audiences from MTEC and NTHU. Moreover, the enthusiastic participation in the Q&A session underscored the mutual interest and eagerness for knowledge exchange. In addition, MTEC also arranged a lab tour, guided by Director Chanchana Thanachayan, for NTHU delegates to visit several research groups to exhibit their cutting-edge research and facilities at MTEC.
During the 2.5-year mutual collaboration, the Taiwan-Thailand WISE Center has achieved remarkable results on water-energy nexus, especially water quality sensing technology. The signing of the MoU not only formalizes the relationship but also opens new avenues for joint research, academic exchanges, and the establishment of a hub-center for innovation and industry-academia collaboration. This partnership focuses on clean water technology, sustainable energy development, and environmentally friendly advanced materials. This dynamic platform will serve as an international hub, fostering greater engagement between Taiwan and Southeast Asia, as well as South Asia, thereby enhancing Taiwan's global influence in sustainable development technology.
Figure 1: Executive Director Dr. Toemsak Srikhirin leads the MTEC team in academic exchange with the NTHU delegates.
Figure 2: The exchange of gifts between the Executive Director of MTEC, Dr. Toemsak Srikhirin and Chair Professor Sinn-Wen Chen, NTHU.
Figure 3: Dr. Tongjai Chookajorn introduces the research results to the delegates of NTHU, Taiwan.
Figure 4: Poster of Chair Professor Sinn-Wen Chen’s invited lecture at MTEC.
Figure 5: Chair Professor Sinn-Wen Chen delivers an invited lecture at MTEC.