By AIT Public Affairs
6 June 2024: The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has entered a strategic partnership with the Food Technology, Research, and Innovation Platform (FTRIP) to advance research and development (R&D) in Cambodia’s post-harvest technology and food sector. On 6 June 2024, the two institutions formalized their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), funded by the European Union (EU), during the 13th Scientific Day and 1st Symposium on Food Technology, Research, and Innovation. Prof. Anil Kumar Anal, Chair of the Food Innovation, Nutrition, and Health (FINH) Academic Program of AIT, attended the event.
The MoU was signed by AIT President Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto and Dr. IN Sokneang, Senior Coordinator of FTRIP.
Cambodia’s food industry faces significant challenges, including limited value addition and product diversification. FTRIP was established under the CAPFISH-Capture: Post-harvest Fisheries Development project, a collaborative initiative by the Fisheries Administration (FiA) of Cambodia and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The platform promotes R&D and innovation, facilitating collaboration among academia, government entities, and the private sector to drive sustainable growth and development.
FTRIP has made notable progress in institutionalizing R&D services. Achievements include formulating Intellectual Property (IP) policies for four national universities including Institute of Technology Cambodia (ITC), National University of Battambag (NUBB), Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture (PLNIA) and Royal University of Agriculture (RUA), and implementing 23 research projects. The platform has also introduced a curriculum module on quality and trade and initiated the establishment of a Packaging Center in Cambodia.
Prof. Yamamoto remarked, “This MoU marks a significant milestone in our joint efforts to address global and societal challenges by bridging science and policy, especially in postharvest technology and food value chain development in Cambodia and the region. Our efforts will generate valuable knowledge and actionable strategies for policymakers and stakeholders.”
H.E. Professor Kimtho PO, Director General of the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC), highlighted the significance of international partnerships like the one with AIT. “This partnership strengthens inter-institutional relationships in academic and research development and provides demand-based technology solutions for the private sector.
The EU’s endorsement of FTRIP’s role in expanding R&D and innovation activities across the agribusiness and food sectors underscores the importance of this collaboration. “This strategic expansion from fisheries to the broader agri-food sector is poised to equip FTRIP with the necessary technical resources to continue supporting the private sector, a vital catalyst for Cambodia’s economic prosperity. We believe that this partnership will generate significant achievements for the sector with greater attention, investment, and innovation, leading to stronger fisheries sector development and, thereby, the agriculture sector as a whole,” said Mr. Koen EVERAERT, First Secretary – Deputy Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Cambodia.
Dr. Shetty Seetharama Thombathu, Chief Technical Advisor of UNIDO, CAPFish Project, emphasized, “This partnership will foster innovation, advance scientific research, and enhance communities’ capacity to address issues related to postharvest, food safety, food quality, industrial growth, and sustainability in Cambodia.”
The MoU supports initiatives for capacity building of academic and research staff in Cambodia, joint PhD programs, faculty and staff exchanges, curriculum development, and lessons on postharvest and food science. It also includes joint initiatives such as workshops, seminars, international conferences, and training for research staff and private sector personnel.
AIT has been instrumental in supporting key activities, including research support, curriculum development in food quality and safety, and training related to IP and technology transfer (TT). This agreement will foster future activities. During the meeting, Prof. Anil highlighted AIT’s roles in capacity building and research support and formulated future activities in consultation with FTRIP, the Government of Cambodia, the EU, UNIDO, and other development agencies. Prof. Anil also participated in various activities during the 13th Scientific Day, held from 6-7 June 2024 at ITC, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The MoU handover was witnessed delegates including the First Secretary and Deputy Head of Cooperation of the European Union (EU), Cambodia, Chief Technical Advisor of CAPFish Capture Project, UNIDO in Cambodia, Director General of the Department of Fisheries, Postharvest and Quality Control (DFPTQ) in Cambodia, the Director General of the Institute of Technology (ITC) in Cambodia, the Rector of the National University of Battambang (NUBB), the Acting President of the Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture (PLNIA), Representative of Rector of the Royal University of Agriculture, the Vice President of the Cambodian Food Manufacturer Association (CFMA), and the Vice President of the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia, other delegates from European Union in Cambodia, staffs from CAPFish Capture Project, Cambodia and researchers from various institutions of Cambodia.
