First JSPA Ocean Research Workshop in 2009 - Future Collaboration Beyond the JSPS "Coastal marine Science" program

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, in cooperation with the Ocean Research Institute of the University of Tokyo, held the "First JSPS Ocean Research Workshop in 2009" on 12-14 February 2009.

The workshop was held to consider the kind of joint research to be carried out on coastal marine science within the Southeast Asian region after the end of the Core University Program, implemented by the Ocean Research Institute. That is, how the network cultivated through the Program between Japan and Southeast Asian Countries can be most effectively utilized.

Attending the workshop were researchers and Core University Program coordinators from seven countries (i.e., Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan) along with representatives of government and funding agencies supporting research in the marine science field.

During the workshop, the participants gave reports on several topics including the state for marine science research in their respective countries, the state of international research collaboration with Japan or other countries, related research institutions, government bureaus and funding programs, and future research needs.

Toward the ending of the workshop, several suggestions on the future direction of collaborative research were presented by Japanese researchers and discussed among the participants.