The ASEAN Science Diplomats
Batch 3 (2019)
DR. ANDERY LIM
Brunei Darussalam
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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Elected as the deputy secretary and executive committee member of the Village Consultative Council of the Batang Mitus/Kebia local community, 2019-2023
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A Certified Editorial Board Member in International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy (IJSGE), Science Publishing Group, 2018-2020
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The first Bruneian Recipient of the ASEAN Science and Technology Fellowship award, 2018-2019,
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Represented Brunei Darussalam at Singapore-Brunei Youth Leaders Exchange Programme, 2018, Singapore
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Represented Brunei Darussalam at ASEAN Youth Leaders' Preparatory Meeting for the 2017 ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Youth Leaders' Interface with the ASEAN Leaders, Manila, Philippines
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
As a youth ambassador of goodwill represented Brunei Darussalam in the 43rd Ship of Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP), I spear-headed a community outreach project with my other SSEAYP’s colleagues of the same batch in 2017. The project aimed to increase public awareness on healthy lifestyle, healthy food, and food wastage, with hope to motivate the public to be more proactive towards their health and the environment. The project served as a one-stop public platform where public can learn on how to prepare healthy meals, the concept of healthy diet thus preventing food wastage and the prevention of common diseases due to unhealthy lifestyle.
DR. KUOK FIDERO
Cambodia
DR. KUOK FIDERO
Cambodia
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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EASEAN Science Diplomats
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ASEAN S&T Fellow Award
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Founder of Technical Business Incubation for Food Product Development Program (Bi4FPD)
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University Scholar Awards at University of the Philippines-Diliman
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AUN/SEED-Net Scholarship Awards
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
Dr. Fidero Kuok is currently ASEAN-Science-Technology-and-Innovation (STI) Fellow and Dean of Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia. He is an Environmental Engineer by training and STI advocate. He has done series of collaboration and partnership with ASEAN, Japanese, European and the United States. His research focuses on agro-ecological system and chemical contamination greatly contributes to sustainable development goals particularly zero hunger and life below water. Moreover, as Program Manger of Technical Business Incubation for Food Product Development (Bi4FPD), he could narrow the gap of societal and environmental challenges via responsible consumption and production of new start-ups..
DR. CHHUON KONG
Cambodia
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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ASEAN Science and Technology Fellowship
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AUN/SEED-Net full Scholarship award for PhD program
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Indonesian Government and AUN/SEED-Net full scholarship award for Master’s Degree program
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International Publication Award by University of the Philippines
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University Scholar Outstanding Student by University of the Philippines
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
As an Environmental Engineer, I cope with environmental problem to find solution and mitigation measure for the society. I am now working on the project related to water resources assessment and climate change adaptation and mitigation in Cambodia that provide the scientific information for local government. I have produced the vulnerability maps at the community level which are useful for local government to identify the most vulnerable area for development priority. Furthermore, at the national level I work with Department of Climate Change under National Committee for Sustainable Development to strengthen the linkage between science and policy on climate change in Cambodia through providing the training program on climate change research proposal writing, formulation of policy brief, providing research grant on climate change to university students.
DR. DENI SHIDQI KHAERUDINI
Indonesia
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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Hirosaki University Graduate Student Award, the President of Hirosaki University, Japan (2016)
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Selected Participant, 7th HOPE Meeting with Noble Laureates and Noble Prize Dialogue Tokyo 2015, Japan (2015)
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Best Paper Award, Society of Chemical Engineers Japan (SCEJ), Niigata, Japan (2015)
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The Best Paper Award, World Congress on Engineering 2010, Imperial College, London, UK (2010)
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Best Participant Award, Workshop on Workplace Safety and Health (WSH), Ministry of Manpower, Tangerang, Indonesia (2006)
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
As a mentor for utilization of biomass waste (banana peel) into useful renewable energy through microbial fuel cell (MFC) concept for youth community (Boarding School of SMA PBS, Sidoarjo, East Java). The goal is promoting the importance of renewable energy and adopting how biomass wastes based energy through MFC beneficial to the environment and societies. ¥ As mentor for management and utilization of the by-product of municipal solid waste incineration (fly ash and bottom ash) as raw material for valuable brick materials (economic impact) and introducing the less emission reduction process (environment impact) by incinerator technology for Kembangan Utara, West Jakarta society.
DR. MUHAMAD IKHLASUL AMAL
Indonesia
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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108 Innovator Indonesia (2015)
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Immersion Program of Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (2016)
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NRF Korean – Indonesian Researcher Exchange (2016)
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ASEAN Science Leadership Fellow (2017 & 2018)
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Fujitsu Global Leadership, Innovation, and Knowledge Fellowship (2018)
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
I am active in Indonesian Society for Nano, a non-profit scientific organization for development of nanotechnology in Indonesia, as one of chairpersons. We have been a consultative partner of (nano)technology development policy for many government bodies such as Ministry of Research Technology and Higher Education, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Agriculture, National Standardization Body, Provincial government etc. Our main objective is to increase public awareness of nanotechnology through socialization (giving lectures, holding seminars, media promotion, etc), supporting technological advancement for industry, policy paper recommendation, curriculum preparation and building networking between researchers.
DR. ZULFAQAR BIN SA'ADI
Malaysia
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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Jointly organised the Agricultural Crop Trust (ACT) Conference 2008 (October 2008).
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Completion of three eddy covariance towers on November 2010. The first in the world that a research group manages to compare greenhouse gas fluxes from three different ecosystems on peat, namely oil palm plantation (Sibu), secondary forest (Betong) and primary peat swamp forest (Maludam).
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Organised the Tropical Peat Workshop 2013 (September 2013).
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Hosting the 15th International Peat Congress (August 2016), a prestigious quadrennial event for the first time in Asia.
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Upgrading of the former Tropical Peat Research Laboratory Unit (TPRL) to the current Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (STROPI).
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
STROPI was established with the intent to discover and develop scientific knowledge and understanding of tropical peatlands and peat in order to facilitate effective and responsible management of these resources. STROPI has organised and attended various meetings, workshop, conference and congress domestically and internationally to continuously enhance stakeholders’ knowledge as well as the technologies needed to address issues on tropical peatland. A major achievement to date was to prevent the incidence of peat fires via good land preparation and water management. This practice, backed by STROPI’s scientific research has resulted in considerable reduction of the haze that afflicts Sarawak every year.
DR. YE WINT AUNG
Myanmar
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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Ph.D in Electronic Engineering (Yangon Technological University) (2012)
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Master of Engineering in Information Technology (Yangon Technological University) (2008)
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International Paper of publication in International Conference of Science and Engineering 2011, Manila, Philippines with the title of ‘Design and Simulation of Automatic Irrigation System for Greenhouse Environment by using with Sensors’ (2011)
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Award on Critical Incident Leadership Training Program in New Zealand Government (2017)
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Award on Humanitarian Values and Principle for the most vulnerable people, given by Swiss Government (2018)
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
I am now standing as a critical role in supporting the organization to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of programme activities in Myanmar Parliament, assuring quality and compliance, distilling learning and best practices and communicating programme. I am also communicating effectively both internally within the organization as well as externally with stakeholders in and outside of Burma. I support the development and implementation of a monitoring, evaluation and learning framework that supports adaptive programme management and coordinate programme monitoring and evaluation, including maintaining monitoring databases. Again, I am integrating from political economy analysis and other research evidence into advice to programme teams on theories of change, programme design and adaptation.
DR. ALONZO GABRIEL
Philippines
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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Metrobank Foundation, Inc. The Outstanding Filipino (2017)
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Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers (2016)
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JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World for Academic Leadership (2014)
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International Union of Food Science and Technology Young Scientist Excellence Award (2013)
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The Outstanding Young Scientist of the Philippines (Food Microbiology and Hygiene) (2013)
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
Prof. Gabriel pioneered studies on microbiological food safety of local food commodities. His researches have been recognized in the Philippines and abroad. Together with the Department of Agriculture, Prof. Gabriel was co-leader of the Philippine Food Defense Team that drafted the National Guidance for Food Defense that is readily available for use by the industry. With support from the Department of Science and Technology, he recently led the development of unified training materials for food safety for food manufacturers. He is currently working on development of food commodities that can be distributed during emergency feeding, and ensure food safety and nutritional quality during such events.
DR. JOMAR RABAJANTE
Philippines
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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UP Scientific Productivity System Award: UP Scientist 1 (2017-2019)
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NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists Award, National Academy of Science and Technology
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UPLB Outstanding Mathematics Instructor
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Dean's Award, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Japan
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Junior Associateship, The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy (2019-2014)
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
Dr. Jomar F. Rabajante is an advocate of quantitative literacy for the general public, and of the promotion of the relevance of mathematics in solving practical and pressing problems in society. One of Dr. Rabajante’s contributions is the discovery of novel patterns in host-parasite interaction that provide new insights on the control of diseases. Dr. Rabajante also pioneered the use of mathematical models to investigate foraging behavior of native stingless bees that can help optimize pollination of crops. He pursues to build more collaborative and interdisciplinary teams that transcend geographical boundaries to aid in crafting evidence-based policies.
DR. FRANCIS ALDRINE UY
Philippines
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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DOST-PCIEERD 2018 Outstanding R&D Award on Special Concerns Category
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Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording (USHER) System World Summit Awards Winner 2018
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Newton Agham Grant awardee, Leaders in Innovation Fellowship Programme by the British Embassy Manila and the Department of Science and Technology (January 11, 2018) & First Place in the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Leaders in Innovation Fellowship final pitch session
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The Outstanding Mapúan (TOM) 2015 Awardee in Academe by the National Association of Mapúa Alumni (NAMA) & Foundation of Outstanding Mapuan Inc. (FOMI) Lifetime Member & CE-EnSE Alumni Association 2013 Outstanding Alumnus Awardee in Academe
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Dean of the School of Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering of Mapua University from June 2008 up to present
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
My most important contribution to society as of now is my new ministry in promoting a safer and more resilient world thru our invention, Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording System (USHER). This is a 24/7 Structural Health monitoring system for infrastructures that will greatly improve our preparation and response to strong earthquake and typhoon events. This technology will save thousands of lives when it is greatly availed and implemented. Our Automated Real-time Monitoring System project and Phil-Lidar 1 (CABARZON) experience will also lead to AGUAMETRICS. This is a system that shall deploy advanced and locally made sensors that shall gather weather and climate related data for better water resource management.
DR. MICHAEL FRANCIS BENJAMIN
Philippines
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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BS in Chemical Engineering degree (cum laude) from UST in 2000 and MS in Chemical Engineering (with distinction) from De La Salle University (DLSU) in 2005
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Inaugural Coordinator of UST-Engineering International Relations and Programs Committee
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International Director, Youth With A Vision (of Jesus Is Alive Community)
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My paper entitled “Probabilistic multi-disruption risk analysis in bioenergy parks via physical input-output modeling and analytic hierarchy process” is part of the first volume of the Sustainable Production and Consumption (SPC) Journal published by Elsevier 5.
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Member of the Committee in Establishing the UST Innovation Center
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
I developed and published deterministic and probabilistic methods/frameworks for integrated bioenergy systems at different scales. These can be used as inputs for science-based policy formulation and implementation. My office coordinated several programs between my university and its international partner institutions regarding research and academic collaborations. This resulted in several student mobility and faculty members obtaining their postgraduate degrees abroad. I also organize and speak in several socio-civic activities for the youth throughout the Philippines.
DR. JINGFENG HUANG
Singapore
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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Best Conexus Center Award, Republic Polytechnic, 2018
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National Polytechnic Student Research Programme Mentor Award, Inter-polytechnic (Singapore), 2018
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Research Excellence Award, Nanyang Technological University, School of Materials Science and Engineering, 2015
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Best Paper Award, 1st International Congress on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support, Vilamoura, Portugal, 2013
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Best in Class Award, Globalfoundries (Singapore), 2010
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
Jingfeng has worked on interdisciplinary projects that, he hoped, in some form has contributed to a better environment. These include (1) novel photo-electrochemical cells, (2) carbon sensors for hazardous gas detection, (3) moisture management for athletes textiles, (4) bio-degradable air filters and (5) smart windows. He also volunteers his free time in the ASEAN Sub-committee on Science and Technology, PMI Chapter, Residential Committee and Red Cross Home for the Disabled.
DR. DUNG DUC TRAN
Vietnam
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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Prizes for excellent scientists with scientific research/publications awarded by Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City 2018.
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PhD Scholarship Award sponsored by the Netherlands and National University in Vietnam 2014.
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One of three top students of Hydrology and Water Resources specialization in UNESCO-IHE, Delft, the Netherlands 2011.
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Government Scholarship for Master degree program in UNESCO-IHE in the Netherlands 2009.
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Leader of a group of three students awarded with the Certificate of Merit for National Students of Scientific Research organized by Forestry and Agriculture University 2005.
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
As a Senior Researcher in water management, I have been working on many projects which have contributed lots of knowledge to science and society. Many projects have considered the negative impacts on national land and water management in particular as well as those on social communities especially in rural areas. My point of view in water management is to do the best effort to conserve nature values and enhance adaptation and resilience capacities of humans in dealing with the exacerbating impacts of climate change. The reduction in human interventions by water structures will decrease negative consequences from environmental degradation.
DR. TRINH MINH ANH NGUYEN
Vietnam
5 Most Significant Awards/Achievements
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Australian Development Scholarship - Full Australian governmental scholarship award for undergraduate education in Australia 2011
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Monbukagakusho Scholarship – Full Japanese governmental scholarship for doctoral education in Japan
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Forwarding system in commercial agriculture in rural upland Vietnam (Research project)
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Good agriculture practice: Status of environmental friendly vegetables in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam
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Okayama University Research grant (2012 and 2013) Okayama University Research grant
Most Important Contributions to the Society and Environment
In 2015, I was part of the Organizing committee of Vietnam Day, an annual event organized by Vietnamese students and workers in Okayama City, Japan to promote understanding of Vietnamese people and culture in host city, and create opportunities for potential relationships among local people, authorities and enterprises with Vietnamese culture and business communities. I also did a research the upland area of Vietnam where ethnic minority groups are dominant. In order to conduct the field work successfully, one my task was to forge communication channels with not only local ethnic minority people but also different economic and political groups or figures. In other words, I had to gain the trust from various social actors to be able to collect information for my study. Being able to see issues from perspectives of different groups was essential back then, and is essential now if one wants to form constructive environmental dialogue at local, national and international level.