Urban Futures and Policy as a START Regional Affiliate

Our Collarboration

Urban Futures and Policy as a START Regional Affiliate

On June, 14th 2021 - Professor Dr. Siriwan Suebnukarn, A vice rector On research and innovation Of Thammasat University and Dr. Jon Padgman, An executive director of START signed An Memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Thammasat University Research Unit in Urban Futures and Policy And START International Inc.

This Memorandum of agreement (MOA), Stemming from discussions over the past several months between staff of the Thammasat University Research Unit in Urban Futures and Policy, Faculty of Architecture and Planning at Thammasat University and START International, Inc. (Hereafter referred to as START) aims to reaffirm the Long-Standing collaboration between the two organizations. With this MOA, The two organizations intend to enter into a more sustained partnership to strengthen capacities within Thailand and Southeast Asia consistent with the shared priorities of the two organizations to strengthen Knowledge, Skills, and Communication on critical regional challenges of global environmental change. Consistent with the guidelines developed by The board of START international Inc. For designation of a START-Affiliated Regional Institution (See annex A), This document frames this MOA in terms of ongoing and planned collaborative efforts leading to Thammasat University being a START regional affiliate

About The Partners
START’s envisions a world in which developing countries have strengthened capabilities to develop scientific knowledge and promote its use to inform sustainable development. START’s Actions are aimed to increase opportunities for research, education and training that strengthen scientific capabilities to understand, communicate and motivate action on critical global environmental challenges with strong regional ramifications.

The Thammasat University Research Unit in Urban Futures and Policy at Thammasat University focuses on Multidisciplinary Research to manage change. It aims to create a better urban society, Empower key actors in the City and promote capacity development of urban societies in order to cope with and adapt to uncertainty and build resilience and sustainability.

Building on this Long-Term partnership, In 2020 the two organizations began to collaborate in two programmatic areas:
1. Circular and Ecological Sphere (CES): START, Thammasat University Research Unit in Urban Futures And Policy, The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, and The Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology initiated a partnership for developing regional platforms for CES in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Thammasat University Research Unit in Urban Futures and Policy is working with the partners to coordinate the CES effort in Southeast Asia and START has provided funding for a Half-Time technician position to support that effort. The CES Framework aims to promote Ecosystem-Based adaptation through increased Rural-Urban connectivity.
2. Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities (EPIC): Thammasat University Research Unit in Urban Futures and Policy has worked with START to identify prospective City-University partnerships in Southeast Asia, and is anticipated that they will play an active role in the Asia EPIC effort going forward, Including hosting of a Half-Time coordinator position for EPIC-Asia. The EPIC partnership connects universities with local governments to address global Change/Sustainability challenges.

With this MPA, START and Thammasat University Research Unit in Urban Futures and Policy pledge to continue building on these two initiatives and explore other mutually beneficial opportunities consistent with the principles of the START regional affiliate framework (annex A). Upon acceptance of this MOA, START and Thammasat University Research Unit in Urban Futures and Policy shall work together to Co-Develop a strategy and set of actionable steps that advance the two Parties' Mutual Interests Related To strengthening capacities for research And action on critical regional challenges of global environmental change.