British Council, MoST, True Corp jointly launch FameLab Thailand 2019, searching for the best science communicator to join the global competition in the UK

          British Council, in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), True Corporation, National Science and Technology Development Agency, National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office, The National Science Museum, The Standard, and Chulalongkorn University are pleased to announce the launch of "FameLab Thailand 2019" competition to search for a new FameLab Ambassador to join the international competition in the United Kingdom from 3–9 June 2019. For the fourth consecutive year, FameLab Thailand is inviting FameLab Ambassadors to represent three generations. Dr Yongyuth Yuthavong, former Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Vorasuk Shotelersuk, an award-winning researcher and Director of the Centre of Excellence for Medical Genetics, Chulalongkorn University, and Cherprang Areekul BNK48, a senior student in Chemical Engineering at Mahidol University International College, will share their opinions on "Science Communication" and the country's development.
          According to Mr Soranit Siltharm, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology, science communication skill is necessary for those in the field of science to enable them to communicate and explain to the public the importance of each science field and their various roles for driving the country's growth. Science communicators will be the key to making the public realise how important science is for developing society, people's livelihoods and the country's economy. The FameLab project aims to connect those in the science fields with people in society and to simplify and make science more accessible for everyone. The project is also in line with the strategy of the Ministry of Science and Technology to create awareness of science, technology and innovation in order to enhance the country's competitiveness and develop the economy, society and the environment. 
          Mr Andrew Glass OBE, Director of British Council Thailand, states that FameLab is a global competition in which participants have three minutes to give a fun, scientific talk with excellent, easy-to-understand content. This is the fourth consecutive year FameLab has been held in Thailand to search for a national representative to join the Cheltenham Science Festival and the global competition in the United Kingdom from 3–9 June 2019. In cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Technology, True Corporation and other alliances, British Council hosts FameLab to promote the awareness of science to the public. 
          Dr Kantima Kunjara, Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Executive Committee, True Corporation, states that True Corporation, as an organisation working in telecommunication industry, realises the importance of communications which could contribute to social benefits and is one for the tools to share knowledge, creativity, innovation, and science which plays a pivotal role in developing our country. Science communication can help people understand the importance of science and aware of what is happening around them. FameLab is one of science communication channels showing that science can be relevant and not a difficult subject. It is the fourth year that True Corporation has supported the FameLab project, which is aligned with our mission to drive Thailand to be the learning society through all of communication channels. True Corporation is eager to support FameLab Thailand 2019 through all of our communication platforms - True Visions, True4You, TNN24, True Plookpanya as well as our social media channels. As always, the final competition of FameLab Thailand 2019 will be live streamed on True Plookpanya, the most popular channel for Thai youth and people in the education sectors.
          As a representative of the new generation and FameLab Ambassador, Cherprang Areekul (Cherprang BNK48) considers science communication to be one of the most important tools for broadening people's vision and helping them to understand things around them. Science communication is a significant skill in chemical science study for helping to digest research and present it to people in a way that is easy to understand, especially for those without much prior knowledge of the subject. FameLab offers the chance for everyone with an interest in science to test their communication skills as well as being a platform for people with the same interests to exchange views. 
          Those wishing to apply to take part in the FameLab competition, should please submit a three-minute video to www.britishcouncil.or.th/famelab from today until 22 March 2019. The final round will take place at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on 11 May 2019. For further information, please call +66 2 657 2211 or browse www.britishcouncil.or.th/famelab and www.facebook.com/britishcouncilthailand

          About the British Council
          The British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, creating friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. Using the UK's cultural resources, the British Council makes a positive contribution to the countries we work with — changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.