Launching of the ASEAN Young Scientists Network (ASEAN YSN)

The ASEAN Young Scientists Network (ASEAN YSN) was launched on 19 October 2018, as an official platform for young scientists in the ASEAN Region.

The platform was officiated in conjunction with the 75th ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology Meeting in Cebu, the Philippines.

The Interim Co-Chairs, Abhi Veerakumarasivam and Orakanoke Phanraksa presented the vision of the ASEAN YSN to the 10 Ministers of Science and Technology of ASEAN member states.

Dr Abhi is the Chair of the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia and Malaysian member of the Global Young Academy (GYA), while Orakanoke Phanraksa was the former GYA Co-Chair from Thailand.

The ASEAN YSN’s major mission is to promote leadership, integrity and connectivity to ensure a future-focused ASEAN science, technology and innovation ecosystem.

Flagship programmes will serve as vehicles to realise its mission; ASEAN Science Leadership Programme, ASEAN Responsible Conduct of Research Programme, ASEAN Online Collaborative Platform and the ASEAN Emerging Researchers Conference are some instances of these programmes.

The GYA, through its past initiatives in the ASEAN region and the involvement of its ASEAN members in global initiatives, have been instrumental to the establishment of this network.

The ASEAN YSN will work with the GYA to ensure cohesion and inclusive representation in the voice of young researchers in this region.

It is hoped that the establishment of ASEAN Foresight Alliance and ASEAN Young Scientists Network as a synergised initiative will facilitate evidence-based future planning for ASEAN member countries in developing their national policies, strategies and action plans

The establishment is also hoped to harness the talent and drive of young ASEAN researchers as well as to ensure successful implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2016-2025, and beyond.