June 2025
At Lotus Room 5–6, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and its affiliate, the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), formalized a research and development collaboration with Nanjing Forestry University. The agreement focuses on advancing eco-friendly bamboo-based construction materials and marks a significant step in sustainable innovation. The signing ceremony took place during the “Thailand–China Symposium on Innovation and Sustainability: Technology and Innovation Transfer on Bamboo Processing and Its Applications,” held as part of the Thailand Research Expo 2025. The event was graced by Prof. Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, NSTDA President; Dr. Pasupha Chinworasophak, Counselor (MHESI) at the Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing; Mr. Ma Minggeng, Counselor (Science and Technology) of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand; Prof. Dr. Shu Zhang, Vice Dean of the College of Materials Science and Engineering at Nanjing Forestry University; Dr. Poon Thiangburanathum, Deputy Director for Planning and Organizational Strategy at the Program Management Unit for Area-based Development (PMU-C); and Dr. Laksamon Samanasin, Director of the International Affairs Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary, MHESI.
Professor Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), remarked, “This collaboration between NSTDA and Nanjing Forestry University exemplifies a concerted effort to explore and understand how Thailand and China can collaborate to unlock the full potential of bamboo, spanning research, technology transfer, and practical applications. From a materials perspective, bamboo is a valuable, renewable bio-based resource with diverse uses and robust environmental credentials. It emerges as a promising alternative material. It is instrumental in fostering community development in rural areas, offering resilience against climate change, and serving as a key raw material for bio-based innovation.
NSTDA is honored to play a pivotal role in driving sustainability through the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model, which seamlessly integrates bioeconomy and circular economy principles, leveraging science, technology, and innovation as key enablers. This model promotes inclusive participation across all sectors and aims to make a meaningful contribution towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Associate Professor Dr. Toemsak Srikhirin, Director of MTEC–NSTDA, emphasized, “This signing represents a significant step forward in strengthening the collaboration between MTEC–NSTDA, Nanjing Forestry University, and related organizations to advance joint research and development, particularly in the transfer of eco-friendly bamboo-based construction technologies. It also seeks to deepen cooperation through resource sharing and research that harnesses each partner’s unique strengths, especially in bamboo processing and utilization. Ultimately, the goal is to apply these technologies in real-world contexts to deliver tangible outcomes and foster long-term sustainability.”
This collaboration is designed to foster knowledge exchange and explore emerging trends in materials innovation, sustainability research, and technological advancement. It also aims to localize and expand international technologies to support long-term sustainability. Through the establishment of a joint laboratory, the partnership promotes industrial sustainability by facilitating resource sharing and collaborative research, with a particular emphasis on bamboo processing and utilization. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to translate developed technologies into real-world applications that deliver practical, sustainable solutions with enduring impact.
The partnership between NSTDA and China underscores MTEC–NSTDA’s continued commitment to technology localization. By integrating advanced foreign technologies and machinery with Thai expertise, the initiative develops practical solutions tailored to local entrepreneurs and end users. This approach has effectively transformed global innovations into accessible, locally relevant technologies. Strong support from Thai and Chinese collaborators—particularly through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) projects in the Mekong region—has made this cooperation increasingly tangible. It also paved the way for MTEC’s engagement with the College of Materials Science and Engineering of Nanjing Forestry University. The MTEC team’s visit to Nanjing Forestry University (NJFU) in May 2024 further strengthened mutual trust and reinforced a shared commitment to knowledge exchange, technological collaboration, and international cooperation in bamboo processing. This initiative marks a significant milestone for both countries, expanding opportunities for future partnership. It also commemorates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China, serving as a symbol of enduring friendship and a robust bilateral alliance.