SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
119. The Fifth ASEAN Summit declared that ASEAN should strive towards technological competitiveness by building on national strength and regional cooperation. This regional cooperation should be self-sustaining, demand-driven and enjoy the active participation of the private sector. In this regard, the development of human resources is essential if ASEAN is to keep pace with the rapid rate of scientific and technological advancements.
120. In preparation for the Fifth Summit, the ASEAN Ministers for Science and Technology adopted the Medium Term Programme for ASEAN Science and Technology Development (1996-2000) in August 1995. Prior to this, the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) met in Bangkok to finalise the details of the Programme.
121. The Programme contained the objectives, conceptual framework, strategies and actions, programme areas, activities and funding mechanisms for advancing ASEAN science and technology cooperation up to the year 2000. Furthermore, the Medium Term Programme elaborated on the strategies stated in the 1994 ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology adopted in Manila in February 1994. It incorporated the goals and specific objectives of the various Sub-committees and defined the priority programme areas for the period 1996-2000.
122. The Programme aimed to promote technology transfer and commercialisation, networking of centres of excellence, and science and technology awareness. Its ultimate aim was to create a self-sustaining and demand-driven ASEAN infrastructure for technology cooperation with the active participation of the private sector. Three model projects were identified for development and possible implementation on a cost-sharing basis:
(a) ASEAN Science and Technology Information Network
(b) Science and Technology Human
Resources Development Programme
(c) Corrosion Prevention and Surface Protection
Fourth ASEAN Science and Technology Week
123. The ASEAN Science and Technology Week is a triennial event which seeks to foster closer ties among members of ASEAN�s scientific community. This event is marked by conferences and exhibitions, while awards are given to outstanding individuals in the fields of science and technology.
124. Dubbed Science and Technology: the Future of ASEAN, the Fourth ASEAN Science and Technology Week (FASTW) was held in Bangkok from 28 August to 1 September 1995. The opening session was graciously presided over by H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand. Eight concurrent conferences with 600 registered participants were held by the various COST Sub-committees in conjunction with FASTW (See Table 7). The conferences were attended by participants from the ASEAN countries and a number of Dialogue Partners. Contributions from Dialogue Partners included support for the participation of 21 speakers and cash allocation of A$100,000 from Australia, five speakers from Canada and one expert from Japan.
125. The following ASEAN Science and Technology Awards were given: ASEAN Young Scientist and Technologist Award, ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award and ASEAN Science and Technology Meritorious Service Award. These awards recognise outstanding contributions and achievements of ASEAN�s scientists and technologists. The winners are listed in Table 8.
126. Over 100 booths showcased exhibits in food science and technology, meteorology and geophysics, microelectronics and information technology, materials science and technology, biotechnology, non-conventional energy research, marine sciences and science and technology infrastructure and resources development.
127. Informal discussions were held between the ASEAN Ministers for Science and Technology and Parliamentary Secretary of Australia, Mr E.J. Lindsay and the Deputy Minister for Science and Technology of Japan, Mr. Isamu Sasaya. They discussed ways of increasing cooperation in science and technology between ASEAN and the two Dialogue Partners.
Food Science and Technology
128. The harmonization of individual country food standards into regional and global schemes
for competitive international trade is one of the concerns of the ASEAN Sub-committee on Food Science and Technology . Its other priority areas include, among others, wastewater treatment, cleaner production, and food safety and quality in support of AFTA.
129. The Sub-committee organised the ASEAN Foods Workshop - Creation of the First ASEANFOODS Food Composition Database in Bangkok from 10-15 March 1996 with the financial support of the Government of Japan. In addition to this, the ASEAN Workshop on Functional Foods is also awaiting funding support from Japan.
130. Two ASEAN-Australia projects, Wastewater Treatment Technology Transfer and Cleaner Production Demonstration Project and Quality Assurance for Fresh and Processed Tropical Fruits Project, will be implemented in late 1996. The project on wastewater is a joint effort with the ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Management. To review progress in its programmes and activities, the Sub-committee met in Bangkok in August 1995.
Meteorology and Geophysics
131. To implement the ASEAN Cooperation Plan on Transboundary Pollution, the role of the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) has been expanded. It will serve as an ASEAN focal point, to coordinate the detection and monitoring of transboundary atmospheric pollution and provide a regional haze/volcanic ash early warning system. It will also develop an atmospheric model to predict the tracks and spread of smoke haze.
132. Noting the assistance of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to ASMC in 1994-1995, the Sub-committee on Meteorology and Geophysics requested that WMO consider extending its assistance to 1996-97. In addition, the
Subcommittee agreed to pursue two of the seven projects proposed by WMO Sectoral Support Mission, namely the Seasonal and Interannual Climate Prediction and Transboundary Air Pollution. The details of both will be formulated with the assistance of WMO.
133. The ASEAN-EC project on Plate Motion and Crustal Deformation Deduced from Space Measurement for the Assessment of Related Natural Hazards in Southeast Asia moved into its final year of implementation. During the year under review, ASEAN and China discussed the development of cooperative projects in meteorology and earth sciences.
Microelectronics and Information Technology
134. Training in the area of telecommunications was a priority concern for the ASEAN Sub-committee on Microelectronics and Information Technology. In this regard, the ASEAN-Australian Telecommunications Cooperation Training Project was developed for funding consideration under the ASEAN-Australia Economic Cooperation Programme (AAECP).
135. A Study Tour/Visit to Canadian Institutions on Microelectronics, and the Workshop on Microelectronics Technology were among the pending projects under this Sub-committee during the year under review. The projects were awaiting implementation with funding support from Canada, and Republic of Korea, respectively.
136. During a Side Meeting in Bangkok in August 1995, the Sub-committee reviewed the developments of current projects and plans for future cooperative activities. Among these was a project on a directory of electronic mail addresses of COST and Sub-committee members.
Materials Science and Technology
137. ASEAN-India workshops, held in Bangkok on 30 August 1995 and Hyderabad, India from 29 November to 2 December 1995 to develop materials science collaborative efforts produced two project proposals. They were Wear Resistant and Thermal Barrier Coatings for Automotive and Other Applications and a Research and Design Programme on Development of Raw Material and Nd-Fe-B Magnets & Application Engineering.
138. In the same field, an ASEAN-New Zealand project, Corrosion Prevention in Infrastructure and Equipment, now being designed, would be finalised in late 1996.
Biotechnology
139. The project proposals for Workshop on Formulation of Biotechnology Atlas by the Republic of Korea and Workshop on Biosensor by the European Union are just two of several being considered for funding by Dialogue Partners. Workshops for the ASEAN-India Cooperative Programme on Biotechnology held in Bangkok on 30 August 1995 and 26-28 June 1996 finalised detailed activities for collaboration between ASEAN and India in this area. The Sub-committee on Biotechnology, met in August 1995 and again in June 1996 to review projects under its purview.
Non-Conventional Energy Research
140. The ASEAN-Australia Project on Energy from Biomass Residues Supplemented by Fossil Fuels which will span four years commenced in mid-1995 even as the ASEAN-Canada Project on Solar Energy for Drying Process was completed in early 1996 after four years of implementation. Meanwhile, the Sub-committee noted that the ASEAN-New Zealand Cooperation on Natural Gas Utilisation in Transport and the ASEAN-EU Cooperation on Technology Transfer for Energy Co-generation from Biomass in ASEAN projects had entered the mid-phase of their implementation during the year under review.
141. To review on-going projects and discuss activities that will be undertaken in the near future, the Sub-committee on Non-Conventional Energy Research met twice during the year, once in Bangkok in August/September 1995, and a second time in Manila in April 1996.
Marine Science
142. The Sub-committee on Marine Science considered several projects which involved the cooperation of ASEAN�s Dialogue Partners when it met in Bangkok in August 1995.
143. The ASEAN-EU study entitled Interdisciplinary Scientific Methodologies for the Sustainable Use and Management of Coastal Resources Systems was brought to a close with a project workshop on 13-15 September 1996 in Penang, Malaysia. The workshop resulted in a proposal for a larger project on integrated coastal zone management for funding by the EU.
144. The ASEAN-Australia project on Coastal Zone Environment and Resources Management went into Stage Two of the implementation phase in September 1995. The Exchange of Notes for signature would take place as soon as the project is finalised.
145. During the same period, Canada agreed in principle to extend the ASEAN-Canada Cooperative Programme on Marine Science Project (Phase II) for another two years, taking into account Vietnam's participation in the programme. The decision also recognises the need to further enhance the capabilities of ASEAN institutions in the project activities.
Science and Technology Infrastructure and Resources Development
146. During the year under review the Sub-committee continued its work of putting in place structures that would enable ASEAN to progress further in the field of science and technology. This is borne out by the projects it implemented during the year.
147. The first of these, the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Cooperation Programme on National Science &Technology Strategy and Policy for Promoting the Industrial Competitiveness in ASEAN was completed in late 1995. Its follow-on project, Establishment of Science and Technology Manpower Development System and its International Cooperation Programs for Industrialization in the ASEAN Nations has been approved for implementation over a two-year period.
148. The ASEAN-EU Regional Radar Remote Sensing ERS-1 Project, was given a no-cost extension till June 1996. Discussions for a follow-on project that will build on the achievements of the current project are already underway.
149. Under the ASEAN-UNDP Sub-Programme on Technology, the Sub-committee organized two meetings to consider the development of the ASEAN science and technology indicators and a corresponding management information system. The first publication of the ASEAN Science and Technology Indicators is expected to be released in the second half of 1996. The Subcommittee on Science and Technology Infrastructure and Resources Development is also developing
activities for the remaining components under the same Sub-Programme.
150. Two issues of the ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development were published during the year under review. In late 1995, Malaysia passed the editorship of the journal to the Philippines and corresponding changes were made in the editorial board and advisory panel. The Subcommittee's 11th and 12th meetings were held in August 1995 in Bangkok and in December 1995 in Singapore, respectively.
ASEAN Science Fund
151. Following its admission into the Association in July 1995, Vietnam contributed its share of US$ 50,000 to the ASEAN Science Fund. As of 31 January 1996, the ASF amounted to US$ 486,400 of which US$ 34,408 was available for approved Science and Technology activities.