ECOSF joined 1st Asian innovation Forum and became Founder Member of Asian STI Think Tanks Network (ASTN)

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ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) upon invitation by the organizers, joined the 1st Asian Innovation Forum and became a founder member of Asian STI Think Tanks Network (ASTN), that was launched on the occasion. The 1st Asian Innovation Forum (AIF) with the theme; "Towards Better Asia: Seeking New Possibilities of Innovation" was organized by Korea Institute of Science & Technology Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP) in partnership with National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) Japan and the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (CASTED) on 25-26 August 2015 at Seoul, Republic of Korea. KISTEP is one of the leading institutions of South Korea, providing future vision and strategies, as well as promoting S&T and Innovation (STI) in Asia and the developing world.

Selected innovative leaders from Asian countries including President ECOSF were invited to join the first Asian Innovation Forum. Experts from USA and Europe also joined the Forum and shared their wisdom and experiences. Those included experts and speakers from; KISTEP, National Science & Technology Council of Korea, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), publishing giant Elsevier, OECD, NISTEP Japan and CASTED China. On behalf of ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF), the President ECOSF Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro participated and spoke in the Forum.

Group photo of 1st AIF leaders and speakers 25 August 2015

The 1st AIF was opened with the welcome remarks by the President KISTEP Dr. Youngah Park and addressed by the Chairman of National Science & Technology Council of South Korea and the Malaysian Ambassador to Seoul. Special Keynote speech was made by the Speaker of 19th National Assembly of the Republic of Korea H.E. Mr. Ui-Hwa Chung with particular reference to S&T Innovations and development in the Republic.

Dr. Youngah Park, President KISTEP and Mr. Jang Moo Lee, Chairman of National Science & Technology Council, Korea speaking in the Opening Session

The 1st AIF comprised of two Plenary and three General sessions with the themes; Key to creative innovation towards better Asia, Science Diplomacy, Creation of Value: Innovation & Economy, Laying the foundation- strengthening innovation capacity, Defining innovation, and Prospects of Asian Innovation- joint growth and sustainable development.

Finally, the Asian STI Think Tanks Network (ASTN) was launched on 26 August with an opening Keynote speech by Academician Dr. Zakri, Abdul Hamid, the Science Advisor to Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Subsequently, 15 S&T organizations from across Asia including ECO Science Foundation joined as the founder members of ASTN and signed a broader agreement of cooperation. The President ECOSF Prof. Manzoor Hussain Soomro signed the ASTN network agreement; that way, ECOSF became the founding member of ASTN. Other founding member organizations include; Academy of Science , Malaysia; Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (CASTED), China; Graduate School of National Public Policy, Chungnam National University; Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI); KISTEP; Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MiGHT), Malaysia; National Agency for Technology Development (NATD), Republic of Kazakhstan; National Institute of Patent and Technology Exploitation (NIPTEX); National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP, Japan; The National Science and Technology Council, Cambodia; Qatar National Research Fund (member of Qatar Foundation) and Pardana School of STI Policy of the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

ASTN will meet each year and aims to bring together leading figures in S&T policymaking, education, and research to enable open discussion on the evolution of Asian innovation.

Group photograph of Heads/Representatives of 15 ASTN founder member organizations with keynote speakers Dr. Zakri Abdul Hamid & Dr. Lee Yee Cheong, Chairman of ISTIC Governing Board

President ECOSF Professor Manzoor Soomro speaking to the forum, introduced ECOSF and shared his wisdom for S&T Innovation and sustainable development. He emphasized on the STI Education as a key component of societies and economies for a long term sustainable development. He said, "Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) approach for teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects is vital for inculcating inquiry, critical thinking and experimentation among the young children and youth as future leaders and innovators. That can ultimately lead to innovation and economic development. Dr. Soomro also shared that ECOSF has launched IBSE with a capacity building workshop in Astana Kazakhstan during June 22-25, 2015 and more activity has been planned for future. He invited other Asian STI Organizations and countries to adopt IBSE for teaching STEM subjects at schools for consistent supply of young innovators.