Final workshop of ASEAN Science & Technology fellowship features scientists’ engagement in COVID-19 response

JAKARTA, 8 October 2020 – The ASEAN Foundation with support from the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation and the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), launched the virtual 2019/2020 ASEAN Science and Technology Fellowship Workshop.

The ASEAN Science and Technology Fellowship is a regional programme that aims to provide opportunities for scientists to apply their knowledge and analytical skills in solving public policy challenges.

At the virtual workshop, 17 fellows from nine ASEAN countries presented key findings from their 15-month fellowship which focused on three main issues; Digital Economy, Innovative Start-ups, and Technology and Innovation for United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals.

In his opening remark, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community Aladdin D. Rillo highlighted how science and technology could contribute to the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework for COVID-19.

One of the highlights of this year’s fellowship is the active involvement of the fellows in COVID-19 mitigation efforts, from developing a thermal temperature scanner and low-cost ventilator, to volunteering in producing – and distributing – hand-sanitizers and other safety equipment.

“Since 2014, ASEAN and the United States have partnered together to support 69 fellows to strengthen public institutions under 29 ministries across the region,” said USAID Principal Officer to ASEAN Ryan Washburn.

“On behalf of USAID, and together with ASEAN, we congratulate the 2019-2020 Fellows cohort for their remarkable work to address COVID19 mitigation efforts while promoting evidence-based contributions at the policy-making table,” he added.

“Fighting COVID-19 can be done in so many ways and anyone in the world can contribute. As engineers, I believe we can support the health care units by innovating better medical devices,” said Dr. Srang Sarot, a 2019/2020 Cambodian fellow who helped develop a low-cost mechanical ventilator during his fellowship.

Dr. Parinya Chamnan, an active fellow from Thailand, said, “in order to contain the virus, we built a new ‘field hospital’ to separate other patients from COVID-19 patients and address possible shortage of accommodation. I also helped revise standard treatment guidelines to reduce the risk of transmission between patients and healthcare professionals.”

The event also marks the closure of the ASEAN Science and Technology Fellowship Programme. Fellows and alumni discussed how to utilise the existing fellowship alumni network to sustain the science-based policy making effort into the future.

“This fellowship allows me to enhance my network, to be heard as a researcher, and to help improve my country’s food safety policies. I had a wonderful opportunity connecting with other experts and policy makers,” said Dr. Pierangeli Vital from the Philippines.

“We are very proud to have worked with ASEAN and USAID in the last three years to empower over 60 inspiring scientists in ASEAN said ASEAN Foundation Executive Director Yang Mee Eng.

‘’We hope that the skills, knowledge and network that we have imparted with all fellows will strengthen them to continue promoting evidence-based policy making using a diplomatic approach across the region,” she concluded.