JAKARTA, May 23, 2016 – Today, the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) and the U.S. Mission to ASEAN named its 2016-17 ASEAN-U.S. Science and Technology (S&T) Fellows, recognizing 15 scientists from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam with a track record of achievements and the potential for significant contributions for science-based policy making in ASEAN.

The S&T Fellowship provides opportunities for early-career scientists from ASEAN Member States to contribute their knowledge and analytical skills to their national governments. Fellows are embedded in line ministries or other agencies within their home countries, providing them with increased technical capacity to make informed science-based policy decisions. The Fellowship is managed by the ASEAN-U.S. Partnership for Good Governance, Equitable and Sustainable Development and Security, a joint project of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Department of State and ASEAN.

The 2016-17 ASEAN-U.S. Science and Technology Fellowship hail from diverse fields and will be working on issues related to sustainable energy; climate change and variability; and science, technology, innovation policy. Fellows are selected through a competitive process involving experts from ASEAN Secretariat Science and Technology Division, USAID, and the US Mission to ASEAN.

The 2016-17 S&T Fellows are:

Burma (Myanmar): Dr. Ei Ei Htwe, Rector, Mandalay Technological University, Mandalay: Science, Technology and Innovation Policy.

Burma (Myanmar): Dr. Aye Aye Thant, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, University of Yangon: Sustainable Energy

Cambodia: Dr. Seingheng Hul, Director of Research and Innovation Center, Institute of Technology of Cambodia. Priority Area: Science, Technology and Innovation Policy.

Indonesia: Dr. Edi Kurniawan, Researcher, Indonesian Institute of Sciences: Climate Change and Climate Variability

Indonesia: Dr. Frida Sidik, Researcher, Institute for Marine Research and Observation, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries: Climate Change and Climate Variability.

Lao PDR: Mr. Houmpheng Theuambounmy, Director of Division, Renewable Energy and New Materials Institute, Ministry of Science and Technology: Sustainable Energy.

Lao PDR: Dr. Sounthisack Phommachanh, Lecturer, National University of Laos: Sustainable Energy.

Lao PDR: Dr. Vilay Vannaladsaysy, Lecturer, National University of Laos: Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

Malaysia: Dr. Sawal Hamid Md Ali, Senior Lecturer, Malaysia National University: Science, Technology and Innovation Policy.

Malaysia: Dr. Zainura Zainon Noor, Associate Professor, Center of Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia: Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

The Philippines: Mr. Glenn Banaguas, Senior Research Scientist, De La Salle Araneta University, Sustainable Energy.

Thailand: Dr. Aunchalee Aussnasuwanakul, Researcher, Institute of Food Research and Product Development, Kasetsart University, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy.

Thailand: Dr. Puvadol Doydee, Lecturer, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus: Climate Change and Climate Variability.

Vietnam: Dr. Nguyen-Thrinh Hoang Anh, Lecturer, University of Science and  Technology of Hanoi: Sustainable Energy.

Vietnam: Ms. Quynh Anh Nguyen, Researcher, National Institute for Science and Technology Policy and Strategy Studies: Climate Change and Climate Variability.