Prof. Dr Phouphet Kyophilavong (right) and Mr Koji Hachiyama (left) on Wednesday display signed cooperation agreements.

NUOL partners with Asian institute on digital innovation

The National University of Laos (NUOL) and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) have agreed to work together to fulfil the aims of the ERIA Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre.
ERIA inaugurated its Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC) in August 2023, to serve as an open innovation platform to enable knowledge sharing and collaboration among startups, other businesses, academia, and policymakers.
A Memorandum of Understanding has now been signed between the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia and NUOL concerning the work of the Centre.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday by NUOL Vice President Prof. Dr Phouphet Kyophilavong and the Chief Operating Officer of ERIA, Mr Koji Hachiyama.
The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia was established by South East Asia Heads of State at the 3rd South East Asia Summit in 2007. It is located in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The MOU sets out a framework for collaboration between the two sides and the establishment of good relationships with academics at the university in cooperation on digital innovation and sustainable economic development using E-DISC as the platform.
The two sides agreed to partner in areas such as promoting joint research in technology and digital innovation by providing ERIA with country information and research findings from individual countries and giving advice to ERIA’s research team and policy recommendations.
The results of joint research will be circulated among policymakers and political leaders who will implement recommended policies.
The Centre will promote new ways of human resource development for the digital era in the ASEAN and East Asia region, with academics and other experts co-sponsoring or co-hosting events, public-private dialogue, and workshops, while other forms of cooperation may be decided on a project-by-project basis.
The MOU will remain valid from the date of signing for one year.
The agreement may be renewed, subject to a review of the results of collaborative activities and upon written agreement by the two sides prior to the expiry date.
A separate agreement will be drawn up to determine the specific terms and conditions of each of the activities and collaborations.
Any commitment regarding resources, personnel, or intellectual property will be negotiated in the subsequent agreement before the start of any activity or project.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update May 16, 2024)