TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee on Science and Technology and the United States Mission to ASEAN announced a second group of fellowships to ASEAN scientists in an attempt to initiate debates and achieve data-based decision making to address some of the region’s most challenging development issues.
Under the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the 2015 ASEAN-US Science and Technology Fellowship includes 14 scientists, selected through a highly competitive process, from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
"The ASEAN-US Science and Technology Fellowship provides amazing opportunities for early career scientists who are ready to explore how to apply science for policy-making," said Nina Hachigian, US Ambassador to ASEAN. "Science and technology are critical for solving policy problems, whether they have to do with domestic policy, foreign policy or development."
Larry Maramis, Director of the Cross-Sectoral Cooperation Directorate of the ASEAN Secretariat, said during the program's initiation ceremony on May 4, 2015, that the Program is expected to improve ASEAN scientists' capacity to assume a more prominent role in integrating their respective country into the ASEAN Community.
Scientists participating in the program will be placed in host ministries in their own countries for one year to contribute their expertise in the fields of biodiversity, energy security and fisheries and coastal management.
During the orientation week, the 14 scientists will attempt to find approaches in integrating science-based decision making into policy-making processes within their host ministries.
MAHINDA ARKYASA
