The 5th EU-ASEAN TMH workshop kicked off on n 1 October 2024, building on the ongoing endeavors of the ASEAN Technology Management Hub (ASEAN TMH). 

Hosted by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), the workshop convened key stakeholders from academia, start-ups, innovator community, the private sector, and technology transfer offices from all ASEAN Member States (AMS) to advance the development of the ASEAN TMH online platform—a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at connecting university research with the private sector to accelerate innovation and foster technology transfer across the region.

The ASEAN TMH aims to connect national technology transfer systems in ASEAN to transform innovative concepts into technically viable solutions that can address pressing challenges, including the industrial transformation, food and health security, pandemics, economic inequality and climate crisis.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. HUL Seingheng, Chairperson of ASEAN COSTI and Under-Secretary of State for MISTI, emphasized the significance and benefits of the ASEAN TMH for the region. “The Royal Government of Cambodia stands ready to work hand in hand with ASEAN member states and dialogue partners to address our common issues by harnessing the potential of science, technology, and innovation (STI). These initiatives are aligned with the ASEAN Action Plan on STI 2015-2025 and Cambodia’s STI Roadmap 2030,” he said. 

Over the past year, Cambodia and Indonesia have spearheaded the ASEAN TMH project with numerous workshops held in both countries. These efforts have been crucial in finalizing the proof of concept, setting up the ASEAN TMH bodies, and creating a prototype for the platform.

In ASEAN, each member state operates different mechanisms for technology transfer, often limiting cross-border collaboration. With only 15% of ASEAN-based startups expanding beyond their home markets, regional coordination is essential to support innovation and commercialisation efforts. To address this challenge, the ASEAN-EU partnership has driven the TMH initiative to centralise and strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem.

Between February 2023 and May 2024, four ASEAN TMH workshops were held, building regional consensus, validating a Proof of Concept (PoC), and producing a platform prototype. The 5th workshop solidified these efforts and secured key feedback for the ASEAN TMH's continued development, including the validation of intellectual property safeguards and defining post-matchmaking support for technology transfers.

H.E. Igor Driesmans, EU Ambassador to Cambodia, commended ASEAN's progress in developing the ASEAN TMH, emphasising the mutual benefits of EU-ASEAN exchange. He said, “We recognise that our partnership transcends mere dialogue. It is fundamentally about creating tangible opportunities that drive innovation across both our regions and tackle urgent global challenges such as climate change, food security, and economic inequality.”

Key European initiatives have been instrumental in shaping the ASEAN TMH platform prototype. EURAXESS ASEAN, Southeast-Asia-Europe Joint Funding Scheme for Research and Innovation, EISMEA, Competence Centre on Technology Transfer and SAIRA’s engagement and insights have fostered collaboration opportunities between the two regions.

Dr Zurina Moktar, Head of the Science and Technology Division at the ASEAN Secretariat, encouraged all stakeholders to recognise the ASEAN TMH as a critical piece in our innovation journey. She said, “This platform should serve as one of the key pillars of ASEAN’s innovation ecosystem, aligning with the goals outlined in the Draft of ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026-2030.”

The ASEAN TMH workshops series embraced this partnership approach, with earlier workshops led by Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Cambodia’s Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation. Partners like the Enhanced Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (E-READI), the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) and ASEAN Secretariat’s Science and Technology Division provided strong support, highlighting a unified commitment to building a robust innovation ecosystem in the region.

The outcomes of the 5th EU-ASEAN TMH workshop will be integrated into the ASEAN TMH prototype, which is set to be presented at the 86th ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI-86) in Singapore from 7-11 October 2024.