HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the opening ceremony of the National Science Technology Development Agency Annual Conference 2021 tomorrow.
The annual event, known as NAC 2021, will run until March 30. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it will take place online at nstda.or.th/nac/.
The Princess will deliver a keynote address to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the relationship between the government and the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, known as CERN. The Princess initiated co-operation with CERN in 2000, which has led to a number of contacts between Thai institutes and universities and CERN to boost the country's scientific capacity.
Right M-Pro Jelly Drink from mung beans has 20% more protein. (Photos courtesy of National Science and Technology Development agency)
The theme this year is "Science, Technology and Innovation Driving Bio-Circular-Green Economy for Sustainability". The bio-circular-green economy model focuses on four industries, including agriculture and food; medical and wellness; bioenergy, biomaterial and biochemical; and tourism and the creative economy. The four industries have a combined economic value of 3.4 trillion baht or 21% of the country's GDP. The value is expected to reach 4.4 trillion baht or 24% of GDP in the next five years.
The six-day programme will feature 34 webinar topics including how the circular economy drives the country's industries, Covid-19 vaccine development, nanorobotics research for cancer treatment, and smart farming systems.
There will also be a virtual exhibition presenting the Thailand-CERN collaboration and the bio-circular-green model in eight industries -- agriculture, food, energy and material, drugs and vaccine, medical devices, tourism, circular economy and biodiversity.
Left An ultra-filtration device for drinking water powered by solar cells.
NSTDA Open House will offer virtual tours plus forums with experts, business owners and entrepreneurs. The Open House will be held on March 25-26.
The last session is the online S&T Job Fair. More than 20 leading companies will announce the recruitment of 2,000 jobs. There will also be a section promoting science, technology and innovation among students and teachers.
For more details, call NSTDA at 02-564-8000 or visit nstda.or.th/nac for registration.