BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat opened the 2026 International Conference on Medical Device Innovation and Networks (iMEDEV 2026) in Bangkok on October 15. Held alongside the ninth Japan–Thailand Bilateral Academic Conference, the event supported Thailand’s efforts to become an international medical hub through research and advanced healthcare technology.
The conference featured a cooperation agreement among seven organizations from Thailand and Taiwan, including five universities, the National Health Security Office, and a national research funding agency. The partnership covers joint research, researcher exchanges, medical device development, testing, and certification to help translate scientific discoveries into practical healthcare applications.
During his keynote address, Yodchanan discussed integrating science, engineering, artificial intelligence, and medicine to advance healthcare technology. He then unveiled three government programs, Siam Silica for semiconductors, Siam Medica for medical technology, and Siam Terra for food science, to support research and industrial development. The event also showcased advances in AI-powered biomedical engineering, robotic surgery, neurological rehabilitation, and medical devices for older adults. (NNT)
