Science and Tech Opportunities Oct 2004

Science and Technology Opportunities in North Asia: 

Science and Technology Opportunities in North Asia Dr Ellen Forch – University of Auckland Dr Michael Lay-Yee - HortResearch Dr Bruce Scoggins - Health Research Council October 2004 Auckland

Plans for Workshop: 

Plans for Workshop Introduction. “A Funding Agency Perspective” – Bruce Scoggins. “A University Perspective” – Ellen Forch. “A Crown Research Institute Perspective” – Michael Lay-Yee. The Next Steps Questions and Answers.

Background to Science and Technology Delegation to North Asia: 

Background to Science and Technology Delegation to North Asia Delegation: 12 Senior Science and Technology sector representatives accompanied Minister Pete Hodgson to China, Korea and Japan. Purpose: Assist Government develop their RS&T strategy for North Asia.

Delegation Members: 

Delegation Members Hon Pete Hodgson Dr Helen Anderson (MoRST) Professor Alan MacDiarmid (University of Pennsylvania) Dr John Hay (ESR) – Delegation Leader Mr Nick Allison (FRST) Dr Ellen Forch (University of Auckland) Dr Richard Gordon (Landcare Research)

Delegation Members contd…: 

Delegation Members contd… Dr Shaun Hendy (Industrial Research Ltd) Dr Bruce Scoggins (HRC) Mr Bill Jordan (Victoria University) Professor Ian Shaw (University of Canterbury) Dr Michael Lay-Yee (HortResearch) Mr Phil Shepherd (MediaLab) Mr Tom Richardson (NZ Forest Research Institute) Dr Jimmy Suttie (AgResearch) Ms Amanda Tomlinson (MoRST)

Organisation of Delegation: 

Organisation of Delegation Pre travel planning of visit. Participation at Ministerial meetings. Small group/individual meetings. Tours to RS&T facilities. Receptions at NZ Embassy (Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo). Report from Delegation to Minister Hodgson.

Development of NZ’s S&T Policy for North Asia:A funding agency perspective: 

Development of NZ’s S&T Policy for North Asia: A funding agency perspective Dr Bruce Scoggins Chief Executive Health Research Council of New Zealand September 2004 Wellington

Rationale for Approach: 

Rationale for Approach Focus of visits was Government agencies funding health research. Explored policies and processes used to allocate funds to assess fit with HRC. Explored opportunities for international cooperation at an agency level.

Impressions: China: 

Impressions: China Bringing back to China top-class scientists into modern, world-managed facilities to use cutting edge technologies (eg. stem cells). Keen to develop relationships with NZ and to explore ways this might be done. Systems for allocation of funds being modelled on NIH, eg. contestable; peer review. Potential for immediate outcome.

Recommendations: China: 

Recommendations: China HRC to develop MoU with SSTC to explore opportunities for future collaborations in health research. Relationships with CAS should be developed. Regular exchanges between officials/staff to implement health research initiatives.

Impressions: Korea: 

Impressions: Korea Looking to establish international cooperative agreements (eg. Scotland biotechnology initiatives). Potential research links to NZ are not clear at this stage. Potential for medium term outcomes.

Recommendations: Korea: 

Recommendations: Korea Need additional meetings between officials in government and agencies to plan the way forward and priority areas. HRC keen to be involved – also interests in science policy area (STEP1).

Impressions: Japan: 

Impressions: Japan Outstanding opportunities to match top NZ and Japanese scientists in collaborative research. JSPS have programmes in place and their approach to funding is a good fit with HRC’s. Opportunities from biomedical research through to health biotechnology. Potential for immediate outcomes.

Recommendations: Japan: 

Recommendations: Japan Response should be positive and timely. HRC to establish MoU with JSPS to promote collaborative research. NZ to take up all JSPS awards. Regular meetings (annual) between agency staff to be promoted.

Conclusions: 

Conclusions Warmth and sincerity of the welcome to S&T delegation, and outcome of meetings, affirmed MoRST policy that North Asia needs an active strategy. Immediate opportunities for HRC to establish inter-agency agreements in China and Japan. For health research there is potential to produce benefits to NZ.

Possible Next Steps: 

Possible Next Steps HRC to put in place MoU with JSPS. HRC to use proposed MoU with SSTC to pilot future collaborations in China. HRC to initiate discussions on health biotechnology opportunities with KIHDA.

S&T Delegation Recommendations (1) Areas for Future Focus: 

S&T Delegation Recommendations (1) Areas for Future Focus Agri-Biotechnology Food Safety Functional Foods and Bioactives Health and Medical Sciences Nanotechnology Climate change Environmental Quality ICT

S&T Delegation Recommendations (2) Outcomes: 

S&T Delegation Recommendations (2) Outcomes Provide access to funding, science and infrastructural platforms. Enrich and significantly diversify our global RS&T portfolios. Provide a channel to market for NZ Intellectual Property. Assist with market access of existing exports. Strengthen NZ’s North Asia APEC relationships.

Key Linkages: 

Key Linkages

The Next Steps:: 

The Next Steps: Completion of North Asia Strategy (MoRST). Prioritisation of activities (MoRST). Allocation of funding to strategy (MoRST). Initiate agency and research collaborations (All).