Published On September 30th, 2020, Prof. Dr.Prasit Watanapa, Dean of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, along with Prof. Dr.Prasert Auewarakul , Deputy Dean for Research and Siriraj Center of Research Excellence Management (SiCORE-M) led by Assoc.Prof.Sith Sathornsumetee, Manager visited the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI). A very warm welcome was given by Assoc. Prof. Dr.Patamawadee Pochanukul Acting President of TSRI ,Prof. Suthiporn Jitmitraparb, Former President, TSRI’s Administrative Members and staffs.
In the meeting, we had an honor to meet Dr. Nopporn Cheanklin (Executive Director, Health Systems Research Institute: HSRI) and Prof.Dr. Sansanee Chaiyarot (Health and Medical Subcommittee, Program Management Unit – Competitiveness: PMUC), two representatives of Program Management Unit (PMU). This meeting brought us an opportunity to provide brief introduction of our SiCORE-M unit and discussion on the possibilities of any potential future cooperation with authorities under Science Research and Innovation Systems.
On this occasion, Prof. Dr.Prasit Watanapa revealed that Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital have been working on the research transformation process. SiCORE-M Unit was founded in November 2017 as a management initiative to (1) generate a cooperative ecosystem and appropriate research management, (2) increase tangible research outputs, (3) building research network and strengthening research capacity and (4) evolving the Faculty’s research administration and management. Not only responding to University’s or Faculty’s research policies but we also hope that this working approach would allow us to be associated with the new Science Research and Innovation Systems to effectively respond to Social and National policies.
During the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr.Patamawadee described about the restructuration of the National Science Research and Innovation Systems. As a result, the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) that had been originally designated to support the research fund for each project, they have become TSRI instead. TSRI are in charge of strategic planning, allocation of research fund and other responsibilities that are work-related or being assigned. One of the significant objectives is to raise Thailand investment in research fund to 2% of GDP within 2027. Recently, our knowledge management team (KMT Think tank) has been established to perform evidence based research on the guideline to TSRI for research funding allocation as well as the prioritization based on research outcomes and impact at national level, more importantly the solution for the problem of our country need to be addressed. In the medical dimension, the KMT Think tank team had created a project study called ” the guidelines for research product prioritization of the advanced therapy medicinal product” in order to set the priority of research theme.
Therefore, the potential for medical development should be aligned with the National Strategy and the “BCG Model” policy, which includes economic development in terms of Bioeconomy, Circular Economy and Green Economy simultaneously. In addition, research budget allocation (in percentage/proportion) should be considered and used for operation plan setting which is for research medical technology development and public health. The purpose is to attain outcomes and impact in accordance with the TSRI’s scheme and Assoc. Prof. Dr.Pongsakorn Tantilipikorn is designated to be one of the CMT Medical committee.
On the final note, SiCORE – M are enthusiastic to cooperate with the units under Science Research and Innovation Systems through the two mechanisms for funding allocation as following;
1.) Fundamental Fund, which will be directly allocated to the university
2.) Strategic Fund that will be distributed to other PMU. The supporting PMU for Medical consist of Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), Program Management Unit – Competitiveness (PMUC) and Program Management Unit – Brain Power (PMUB).
