Not Affected by Efficiency, 13 Research Groups from IPB University – Kasetsart University compete for Research Project Funds

Amid the issue of research budget cuts due to budget efficiency in 2025, 13 groups of researchers from IPB University and Kasetsart University are eager to compete for joint research projects. 

These researchers ‘compete’ to obtain research funds for cooperation between IPB University and Kasetsart University. In the event of Pitching Project Co Research Project Collaboration IPB University and Kasetsart University (13/2), each group presented its research proposal in front of the reviewers. Of the 13 groups, only the best five groups will be selected and receive funding. 

Vice Rector of IPB University for Research, Innovation, and Agromaritime Development, Prof Ernan Rustiadi, said that this was the first time for a matching fund model collaboration research between IPB University and foreign universities.

“This is an important breakthrough in bilateral collaborative research between IPB University and Kasetsart University,” he said when opening the event which took place at the IPB University Business School Campus (13/2).

Prof Ernan revealed that the majority of these 13 proposals raised agricultural themes in a broad sense. He hopes that in the future, there will also be research proposals on economics and social humanities.

Regarding the matching fund model, he explained, each university contributes funds to conduct joint research, then the publication is written together. Both IPB University and Kasetsart University get the opportunity to be first author for research published in reputable journals.

For information, currently IPB University and Kasetsart University are top ranked in Southeast Asia, respectively number 1 and 2 in agriculture and forestry research according to QS World University Rankings.

According to him, this event is not only a moment of proposal presentation, but in order to bring together the researchers of IPB University and Kasetsart University. 

“So far, these two universities have always competed. So, it would be nice if we then work together. Through this research cooperation, we are sure that many will want to cooperate like IPB University and Kasetsart University do,” he added.

When asked about the impact of the efficiency of the research budget from the government, Prof Ernan emphasized, “So far, the research funds for this research cooperation come from IPB University, not government funds. Thus, there is no impact on this research collaboration activity,” he concluded. (dh) (IAAS/RUM