Latest news with #APECPolicyPartnershiponScience
Scoop
2 days ago
- Science
- Scoop
APEC Opens Scientist Exchange Program In Korea
Issued by APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation Sejong, Republic of Korea, 2 July 2025 APEC has kicked off a new exchange program to boost cross-border research, with Korea hosting the first cohort of scientists in Seoul this year. The Scientist Invitation Program to Korea 2025 marks the first program under the APEC Scientist Exchange Initiative, a new regional effort to enhance scientific mobility and long-term collaboration. This is the first time APEC has launched a dedicated mobility track for scientists, signaling a significant step toward institutionalizing scientific exchange as part of the region's broader agenda for inclusive innovation and sustainable growth. Funded and implemented this year by the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, the program supports researchers from APEC member economies through structured training and joint research opportunities. It also offers streamlined visa application processes and fast-track entry and exit at Korean ports of entry. The launch comes at a time when economies are navigating post-pandemic recovery, an accelerating digital transformation and rising demand for interdisciplinary scientific talent. By investing in mobility and peer exchange, the program responds to calls for deeper regional cooperation in science and technology. 'Capacity building and exchange programmes empower scientists to share knowledge, foster innovation and create solutions that transcend borders, driving global progress through shared mission collaborations via human-to-human exchanges,' said Hazami Habib, Vice Chair of the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI). 'This could lead to not only enhanced connectivity but also significant impacts across the APEC region. The Scientist Invitation Program to Korea 2025 is a commendable initiative which stimulates further interest in collaborative research within the region,' Habib added. 'Korea has emphasized the importance of innovation driven by cultivating science and technology talent,' said Sunghoon Hwang, Director General for International Cooperation at Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT. 'We hope that the Scientist Invitation Program will enable scientists from Korea and participating APEC members to build research networks and create scientific collaboration opportunities across the region, particularly with Korea.' The program offers two distinct pathways for participation. The first is a 10-day capacity-building track that includes mentoring, expert lectures and policy discussions to support future collaboration. The second is a 90-day research placement, where participants conduct joint research at leading Korean institutions. Eligible applicants must hold a PhD or a master's degree with at least three years of relevant professional experience. The first session, focused on physics, ran from 26 May to 6 June in Seoul. It brought together 21 researchers and professors from Malaysia, Peru and Thailand, who engaged in lab visits, including the Center for Quantum Nanoscience at Ewha Womans University, and took part in cultural experiences that strengthened professional and personal ties. "This program will help me to have an international collaboration. I feel good, and this is a good opportunity for me,' said Dr Nuttawadee Intachai, a lecturer at Chiang Mai University in Thailand who participated in the session. The second session, focused on chemistry and involving scientists from Indonesia and the Philippines, concluded on 27 June. Upcoming sessions in earth sciences and life sciences, along with the first round of 90-day research placements, are set to begin in July. With up to 100 scientists expected to participate this year, the Scientist Invitation Program is laying the groundwork for a more connected, collaborative, and innovation-driven APEC region. The broader initiative also includes plans for an APEC Scientist Travel Card, modeled after the APEC Business Travel Card. Once developed, the card would streamline mobility for scientists attending conferences, seminars, or joint projects by facilitating visa-free or expedited entry. More information is available on the official program website.
Scoop
20-06-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Nominate Next-Gen Scientists Driving AI And Biotech Innovation
The search is underway for outstanding young scientists whose cross-border research in artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology is addressing some of the Asia-Pacific's most pressing social and environmental challenges. Nominations are now open for the 2025 APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education, or ASPIRE, under the theme 'Toward AI-Bio Convergence: AI-based Inclusive Biotechnology Solving Social Challenges.' In line with APEC 2025's focus on digital innovation and inclusive growth, this year's theme highlights the potential of AI-powered biotechnology to improve health equity, food security, sustainable agriculture and environmental resilience across the region. 'This year's ASPIRE theme reflects the growing need for policy-relevant science that bridges disciplines and borders,' said Rahima Kandahari, Chair of the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI). 'By highlighting the convergence of AI and biotechnology, we aim to draw attention to innovations that can deliver practical, inclusive solutions to complex regional challenges, and also reinforces the importance of scientific cooperation and innovation in advancing shared APEC goals.' Each APEC economy may nominate one scientist under the age of 40 for the annual prize. Nominees will be evaluated for their excellence in scientific research, evidenced by scholarly publications, and their dedication to cross-economy collaboration, particularly on interdisciplinary projects aligned with the year's theme. 'Korea places great importance on empowering young researchers to develop innovative solutions to address complex global challenges. That is why we are proud to support this year's ASPIRE, which recognizes excellence in cross-border, interdisciplinary science,' said Sunghoon Hwang, Director General of the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea. 'AI-bio convergence is a key emerging technology with the potential to transform how economies address longstanding issues such as aging populations, health inequities and sustainable agriculture,' Hwang added. Now in its 15th year, the prize supports APEC's broader goals of enhancing science and technology cooperation, strengthening innovation ecosystems, and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth. Past winners have contributed to advancements in fields such as nutrition, renewable energy, nanotechnology, and public health. Recent awardees include Dr Zheng Liu of Singapore, who won the 2023 ASPIRE for his pioneering work on two-dimensional materials for sustainable energy and advanced electronics; and Dr Jingzheng Ren of Hong Kong, China, who received the 2022 prize for developing new models that balance economic development with environmental sustainability. Both exemplify the power of cross-border scientific collaboration to solve regional and global challenges. The winner of this year's prize will receive USD 25,000, with prize funding provided by the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, and will be recognized during the upcoming meeting in Korea on 13 August 2025. Nominations must be submitted by 1 July 2025 at 17:30 Singapore time. For eligibility requirements and submission guidelines, please visit the ASPIRE 2025 web page or contact your economy's PPSTI representative.
