The Global Research Council (GRC) is a virtual organization, comprised of the heads of science and engineering funding agencies from around the world, dedicated to promoting the sharing of data and best practices for effective collaboration among funding agencies worldwide. It conducts regional meetings with the participation of member organizations representing all interested stakeholders in the respective regions from around the world. Discussion papers for joint statements or activities, which are provided by the Annual Meeting's hosts are adapted to the views and needs of the respective region at the regional meetings.
The 2024 Asia Pacific Regional Meeting of the GRC was co-organized by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka (NSF) which was held in Beijing, China from 29th October to 02nd November. Two key topics, i.e., ‘Research management in the era of AI’ and ‘Working together in co-creation to address global challenges’ were the foci of discussions along with other cross cutting themes depicting the funders’ perspectives such as ‘Responsible research assessment’, ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the research landscape’ and ‘Multilateral engagement’. The co-hosts also organized a side event on 31st October on ‘Science for sustainable development & transdisciplinary research’ to share experience, best practices, challenges and strategies to overcome in implementing the transdisciplinary research. The deliberations of the 14 participant representing member organizations at this meeting with around 60 members were fruitful with the provision of major insights for the preparation of statements of principles with guidelines under the 02 key themes.
NSF being the co-host of the event played a key role in planning, organizing and conducting the meeting in close collaboration with NSFC. During the event, Dr Sepalika Sudasinghe, Director General of NSF delivered opening and closing remarks (online). She also made her expertise contribution for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) working group session and during the panel discussion on ‘Working together in co-creation to address global challenges’. Eng Mahesh Dissanayake, Head of the Research Division represented NSF at the opening ceremony, delivered a presentation on the Sri Lanka’s experience on transdisciplinary research at the side event and led the discussions with NSFC on 2nd call for joint research project proposals. Ms Thilinakumari Kandanamulla, Senior Scientific Officer of NSF and Asia Pacific Regional Representative of the EDI Working group of GRC presented the progress of the EDI working group, moderated its session and actively contributed to bilateral discussions with the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). Dr Inoka Sandanayake, Scientific Officer of the Research Division moderated the session on ‘Research Management in the Era of Artificial Intelligence’ and the panel discussion on ‘Experience in Transdisciplinary Research’ at the side event.
During this visit, the delegates could also have bilateral discussions with the China Science and Technology Exchange Centre (CSTEC) on Talented Young Scientists visiting Programme (TYSP) and the potential role of NSF in facilitating Sri Lankan young scientists to engage in same.