COOPERATION IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (COST)


In the year under review the Committee on Science and Technology (COST) has success- fully implemented the ASEAN Plan of Action and has intensified its research activities in the priority areas of food science and technology, meteorology and geophysics, microelectronics and computers, materials science and technology, biotechnology, non-conventional energy research, marine sciences, and S&T infra- structure and resources developments. These activities will further strengthen the capability of ASEAN in science and technology. COST has also been focusing its efforts on consultation with dialogue partners in developing regional programmes and activities with great private sector participations, high technology development and commercialization of products processes.

2 There is a need to look into the issues of intellectual property rights, as outputs from many ASEAN projects have commercial potential. ASEAN and Australia have agreed in principle to the equitable sharing of intellectual property arising directly from projects under AAECP II, and that the details of this sharing be subject to negotiation between cooperating parties at the project level. However, relevant factors in determining the equitable sharing of intellectual property rights need to be considered and resolved.


ASEAN Science Fund

3 The ASEAN Science Fund established by the ASEAN Ministers of Science and Technology in January 1989 has a target of US$ 6 million. The Fund will initially be used for projects which would promote HRD, be of immediate commercial application and require seed money for the pre-project funding stage, or for pre- feasibility studies for new technological areas.

4 The Fund has received seed contributions from member countries and a contribution of NZ$ 100,000 from New Zealand. Australia has indicated its willingness to contribute to the Fund. COST will also seek support from private sectors/multinational companies, in addition to its approaches to Dialogue Partners land international organizations.


Food Science and Technology

5 The ASEAN Food Technology Research and Development (ASEAN-FTRD) Project Phase I was successfully completed. An illustrative brochure highlighting the accomplishments of the ASEAN member countries over the eight years duration of the project 1982-1990 was published. Significant results were the development of new products, the improvement of process and the transfer of technology to the food industries.

6 A reformulated project design for FTRD Project was submitted to Australia for funding under AAECP Phase 11 as agreed upon at the 2nd Meeting of the AAECP Joint Planning Committee. However at the 3rd AAECP Joint Planning Committee Meeting, Australia agreed to allocate only A$ .100,000 for 1992/93 and another A$ 100,000 for 1993/94 for continuing activities in food science and technology.

7 The project proposal on "Separation and Characterization of Fish Lipids" was submitted to the EC and the projects on "Establishment of a Training Network for the Accelerated Development of the Food Industry in ASEAN" and "Food Standards for Product Improvement in the ASEAN" were submitted to UNDP for funding consideration.


Meteorology and Geophysics

8 The publications on the User's Manual for the ASEAN Climatic Atlas and Compendium of Climatic Statistics and the Climatic Supplement of Brunei Darussalam will soon be forwarded to member countries, WMO and the ASEAN Secretariat.

9 ASEAN was not able to obtain funding from dialogue partners and UNDP for the Project "ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Center". However, preliminary work on the Numerical Weather Prediction Model has been initiated, adapting the Japanese model. It was expected that the adaptation of the regional model could be implemented later this year.

10 On the ASEAN - EC Workshop on Geology and Geophysics, the EC has waived its policy of differential treatment on the project. This workshop will now be implemented in Jakarta on 7 - 12 October 1991.


Microelectronics and Computers

11 Progress of the ASEAN-Australia Micro- electronics Design Project over the year was excellent. The Sub-Committee on Micro- electronics and Computers has prepared the draft proposal for the fourth and fifth years of the AAECP Phase II. A Multi-Project Reticle Fabrication process was considered and taken up in a one-day workshop, where the Design Bureau concept was discussed. The Sub-Committee also promoted computer technology as an integral aspect of its activities. It was felt that there was a need to define the regional requirements and future directions in the field of microelectronics and computers. The AUSEAnet run by the group, has now capabilities to support electronic communication both from inside and outside each participating country, as it is now listed in the Handbook Directory of Computer Network published by UUNET Communication.


Materials Science and Technology

12 Funded by Japan, national activities on this programme include exchange of scientists and provision of equipments until September 1992. Multilateral activities including in-country training, training in Japan and collaborative research in the areas of corrosion, ceramics and polymers have been executed successfully. The project is expected to be completed in September 1992. Japan intends to further promote its .regional cooperation in this field in the form of seminars, workshops and collaborative researches among the national projects.


Biotechnology

13 There has been considerable progress in the ASEAN - Australia Biotechnology Project in the second year. Numerous project activities were successfully implemented during the year. The workshops on "Fermentation Technology" and "EC-ASEAN Enzyme Technology" brought together experts in these fields to exchange information and views and identify common themes for joint collaboration. Two other workshops were held respectively as part of the common fund courses: The chromoto- graphic and other Separation Techniques courses in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the workshop on Laboratory Equipment Maintenance in Singapore.

14 The workshop on Management of Science and Technology in Biotechnology held in Melbourne 11-15 March 1991 provided valuable experience to senior administrators dealing, with biotechnology projects in ASEAN. Topics on commercialization of biotechnology in Australia and ASEAN, Intellectual Property Rights, legal aspects of biotechnology, environmental implications, and regional programme management were some of the topics dealt with in the work- shop. The excellent project design document for the extension of the Biotechnology Project has been approved by Australia for funding under year 4 and 5 of AAECP II.

15 The highlight of the achievements of this project was the publication of the Brochure on ASEAN-Australia Biotechnology Project by the chairman's office. The activities of the project were very well illustrated in the Brochure which provided valuable information on the collaborative efforts among ASEAN countries and between ASEAN and Australia in the field of Biotechnology.


Non-Conventional Energy Research

16 The ASEAN-Australia Energy Project under the AAECP Phase II covered activities in three areas: energy conservation in buildings, energy conservation in industry and fluidised bed combustion (FBC). During the Third Joint planning Committee Meeting in Singapore, 10-11 April 1991, it was agreed that the Project Management Committee and the Australian Project Advisors should develop a strategy for the commercialization of outputs from project with commercial potential. A Science and Technology Management Training is tentatively scheduled for April-May 1992 and the Workshop on FBC Technology is proposed to be held in November 1991 in Thailand, in order to discuss and share the experiences in and preparation of all FBC projects.

17 On the ASEAN-Can ad Energy Programme, the selection of the Canadian Executing Agency (CEA) for the ASEAN-Canada Project on Solar Drying Processes was made at the end of May 1991 in Ottawa. An inception mission is planned for late 1991.

18 On the EC COGEN Project, whereby collaboration between ASEAN and EC is made through AIT in transfering technology of biomass for generation of heat and power, the Sub-Committee noted the visit made by the EC experts in the last quarter of 1990 and the first quarter of 1991 in order to prepare a COGEN feasibility study report. A technical trip to Europe to visit COGEN installations and a COGEN Work- shop in ASEAN will be conducted in mid 1991 and the third quarter of 1991, respectively. The Sub-Committee will prepare a project proposal for the continuation/implementation of this COGEN Project to COST.

19 Under the ASEAN-US Energy Programme Phase III, the Energy Training Programme was not held as scheduled. An end-of-project report on the Component on Energy Conservation in Building and on the Component on Energy Conservation and Management were being prepared by Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and the Asian Institute of Technology respectively.

20 The revised budget for project on Energy Engineering Technology for Natural Gas Utilization was re-submitted in January 1991, to New Zealand. ASEAN was informed by New Zealand that this project would be considered favourably. An experts meeting on this was suggested to be organized in July. 1991 in New Zealand.


Marine Science

21 Two projects under ASEAN-Australia Cooperation in Marine Science were being implemented on Coastal Living Resources and on Regional Ocean Dynamics. A series of work- shop is being prepared to be held during Third ASEAN Science and Technology Week (TASTW), Singapore, September 1992. On the extension of the Regional Ocean Dynamics project, Australia has agreed that this project be extended to year 4 and 5 of the AAECP Phase 11 to include the component on current metering.

22 The ASEAN-US Resources Management Project is scheduled for completion by the end of 1991. This project, however, will be extended without additional funding, to December 1992, to complete all activities of the Project. The out- standing output of this project (publication, management plan) would be exhibited during the TASTW.

23 The MOU of the ASEAN-Canada Co- operative Programme in Marine Science Phase II: Establishment of Environmental criteria for the development and the Management of Living Marine Resources and Human Health Protection was in the final stage of preparation. The proposals from the Potential Canadian Executing Agencies were evaluated in September 1990.


Science and Technology Infrastructure and Resources Development

24 This Sub-Committee covers activities on S&T policy studies, management of science and technology, information dissemination, remote sensing and the publication of the Journal on Science and Technology. Volume 7 No. 2 of the Journal on Science and Technology was published in 1990. COST continues to accept scientific articles/contributions to the ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology.

25 The component on management of science and technology is being implemented as one of the activities in the projects on biotechnology, non-conventional energy, micro- electronics and marine science.

26 On remote sensing, the project proposal "Improvement of National Resources Management and Environment Monitoring through, in particular, the Use of ESA ERS-1 Capabilities in ASEAN" has been submitted for funding consideration at the 9th ASEAN-EC JCC Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, February 1991.


ASEAN Science and Technology Week

27 The Third ASEAN Science and Technology Week (TASTW) will be held in Singapore on 17-24 September 1992 (1). In recognition of the significance of science and technology as the key to greater economic growth and social development, the theme for the TASTW is "Socio-economic Growth in ASEAN through Science and Technology".

28 An Exhibition highlighting the theme "Achievements through the Application of Science and Technology" will also be organized. It will cover the following three sectors: a) an ASEAN Science and Technology Exhibition for ASEAN and its Dialogue partners; b) an innovative Science and Technology Exhibition; and c) an open Science and Technology Exhibition for the industries.

29 During the TASTW meetings of Science and Technology Ministers, senior officials of ASEAN countries and the Dialogue Partners will meet to further enhance interaction and scientific collaboration. Guided by the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology and with the establishment of the ASEAN Fund, COST now focuses(P) other activities include conferences, seminars and workshops and an ASEAN Young Scientist and Technologist Award. The TASTW has received financial contribution from New Zealand amounting to NZ$50,000, while Australia has given its agreement to a contribution of A$ 200,000 following the receipt of further information on the TASTW from ASEAN.

30 The Fourth ASEAN Food Conference will be held in Jakarta, 16-20 February 1992, with the objectives, inter alia to promote close cooperation among institutes or associations in the field of Food Science and Technology and to present up to date information on food science and technology, stressing its use for economic development.

31 The said Conference will examine a wide range of topics in food science and technology and in particular those relating to the improvement of the food system in providing good quality of food, progress in Food Research and Development and present status and future trends in Food Policy, Safety, Standards and Regulations. The Conference has received contribution from New Zealand, amounting to NZ$50,000 and will receive further contribution of A$50,000 from Australia, from savings within year 3 of AAECP II (1991-1992).

For more information, please refer to the project details