The Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), formerly known as the Thailand Research Fund (TRF), held the TRF Outstanding Research Awards 2018 at the InterContinental Ratchaprasong Hotel in order to honor research personnel and quality research projects that have impacted the economic, social and environmental development of Thailand. Dr. Krissanapong Kirtikara, Chairman of the Research Fund Policy, acting as Chairman of the Science Research and Innovation Promotion, presided over the ceremony and presented the awards, along with TRF Director Prof. Dr. Suthipun Jitpimolmard, Board of Directors, the management team and media.
The TSRI director said, “TRF has played a key role in supporting research grants in all areas. There is a systematic research management focusing on research criteria to bring out the best way to utilize it in all dimensions, as well as supporting the development of potential researchers to achieve world-class research excellence. Every on-going TRF mission is considered in order to create significant groundwork for the scientific, research and innovation system of Thailand. The TRF worked with many outstanding research projects over the years and, now with its new scope as the new TSRI, its key role is to create and formulate strategic policies, science, research and an innovation plan for the country, as well as allocating the budget for the Science Research and Innovation System (SRIS) divisions. The TRF Award Ceremony for Outstanding Research Projects 2018 aims to be an open platform for the research community and public to see a model of research that can deliver benefits to society, as well as honoring TRF researchers who keep creating quality research work, continuing to engineer Thai society.”
This year, the criteria for selected outstanding research projects included: successful research projects proven to have practical use, being utilized by people effectively in the 2018 fiscal year; having created significant changes in related industries or having caused a significant impact to society leading to broad development and; having research methods accepted by academic principles. The criteria was sub-divided into 5 groups for a total of 13 award-winning projects, as follows:
– Policy (1 project): “Future Balance of Tourism for the Similans” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Dachanee Aimphan, Kasetsart University; – Public (1 project): ” Historic Site Restoration for the Foundation of Sustainable Conservation” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nakorn Poowarodom, Head of the Project Group, Thammasat University;
– Commercial (4 projects): “Automated Tire Scraping Robot in the Production of Retreading Tires” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Chana Raksiri, Kasetsart University; “Production of Low Uric Acid Chicken Meat from Native Hybrid Chickens to Promote Competitiveness in the Health Food Market at the Industrial Level” by Prof. Dr. Monchai Duangchinda, Khon Kaen University; “Developing Catalysts to Change Carbon Dioxide into Added Value Chemicals” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thongthai Witoon, Kasetsart University and; “Smart E Nose Vest” by Dr. Thara Si Sa-at and Asst. Prof. Dr. Teerakiat Kerdcharoen, Mahidol University;
– Communities and Local Areas (4 projects): “Restoring Soil Contaminated with Dangerous Particles by Nanoparticles for Safe Food Production by Communities for Communities: In the Case of Pilot Cadmium Contamination of Rice Fields in the Mae Sot District, Tak Province” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanaphol Phenrat, Naresuan University; “Bang Chanee Model Adaptation Process for Farmers in the Thung Rab Nam Area” by Mrs. Renu Kasikun, a local researcher; “Borderless Research – 45 Years of Separation and the Resurrection of the Local Thai-Cambodian Border Community” by Mr. Rungwichit Khamngam, a local researcher and; “Innovation for the Prevention of Banana Wilting Disease in Thailand” by Dr. Patimaporn Plodphai, Prince of Songkla University;
– Academic (3 projects): “Foreign Policy to Neighboring Countries in the Cold War Era: Four Comparative Case Studies” by Mr. Suraphong Jayanama, former Ambassador; “Research Aimed at the Education about Thai Herbs and Using Technology to Transform them into Processed Products for Commercial Use” by Prof. Dr. Suphayang Worawutkunchai, Prince of Songkla University and; “Chemical Electric Energy Storage Device Innovation from Graphene Aerogen Compounding Materials” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Montri Sawangpruek, Witthaya Sirimethi Institute.
These 13 excellent projects flourished from the power of wisdom and dedication of the research teams, as well as the cooperation from all sectors in the practical use of the research projects, with research outcomes meeting the needs of society and creating a positive impact on the economic and social development of the country. This awards event, that honors these outstanding contributions, also marks the occasion of almost 3 decades of TRF missions and its transition to new roles as the TSRI, with the added challenge in the form of a strategic plan for SRIS, which is in line with the budget system. The SRIS must be stimulated in order to support the ecosystem, including promoting frontier research to create the potential results that can lead the country to economic, social and environmental development, alongside the development of science research and innovation systems to engineer Thailand based on knowledge and innovation following the vision ” Change to Challenge”.
