PEER Asia Forum 2024 Convenes Leaders in Bangkok to Foster Collaborative Research

Bangkok, Thailand – From May 21 to May 23, 2024, organized by USAID and the National Academy of Sciences, the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Asia Forum brought together esteemed experts from across the Asia region. Hosted against the vibrant backdrop of Bangkok, the PEER Asia Forum 2024 saw over 50 principal investigators, representatives from key organizations, USAID, and US government agency officials. The three-day event featured a series of insightful keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive training sessions, all designed to stimulate dialogue and collaboration on pressing issues which focused on health, environment, climate, biodiversity, and clean energy. This significant gathering aimed to showcase the research achievements, facilitate meaningful connections, provide a platform for result presentations, and equip attendees with enhanced skills for communicating their research for practical impact.

Presentation of CEA-SWESP project by a delegation from the Center for Child Health FK-KMK UGM

The Center for Child Health (CCH-PRO) Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM) Indonesia sent a delegation to present the achievement of “Cost-effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance on Wastewater and Environmental Sampling (SWESP) as an Early Warning System for community COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia (CEA-SWESP)” project. This project was led by Prof. dr. Indah Kartika Murni, M. Kes, PhD, Sp.A(K), dr. Vicka Oktaria, MPH, PhD, FRSPH, and dr. Tiara Marthias, PhD, with research team member consist of Prof. dr. Titik Nuryastuti, M.Si., PhD., Sp.MK(K), dr. M. Fikru Rizal, M.Sc., dr. Giovanni van Empel, M.Sc, Endah Supriyati, M.Biotech, Rizka Dinari, MPH, dr Wilsen Widal Kho, and Hendri Marinda Sari. This initiative, supported by PEER program, spanned a duration of one year, commencing from late 2022 until its conclusion in early 2024.

In addition to academic sessions, the PEER Asia Forum 2024 facilitated networking opportunities aimed at fostering lasting collaborations. Participants engaged in productive exchanges, exploring potential joint projects and initiatives aimed at driving impactful change in their respective fields. Also, there were representatives from Office of Naval Research Global and Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the fund donor organizations who shared their activities and funding opportunities to all attendees.

Indonesian delegates with the National Academy of Sciences-officials

As the curtain closed on the PEER Asia Forum 2024, all researchers shared their future research plans, challenges, and needs. All participant focused on cultivate partnerships and enhance research engagements among institutions, fostering innovation, and addressing critical challenges facing Asia today. Delegation Together, each participant engages in the possibilities to expand collaboration for solving challenges and meet the needs required.

Reporter

Hendri Marinda Sari, 15 June 2024