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U.S. Science Envoy Geraldine Richmond arrived in Vientiane on March 8th for a four-day visit, during which she will meet with representatives from several Lao government ministries, universities and civil society organizations.
Her visit is part of an effort to develop and strengthen research collaboration networks between scientists and engineers in the United States and Laos. This is her second visit to Southeast Asia since she was appointed Science Envoy by U.S. President Obama last year, but her first visit to Lao PDR.
U.S. Science Envoy Geraldine Richmond, left, meeting with Minister of Science and Technology Boviengkham Vongdara.
(KPL) U.S. Science Envoy Geraldine Richmond arrived in Vientiane on March 8th for a four-day visit, during which she will meet with representatives from several Lao government ministries, universities and civil society organizations.
Her visit is part of an effort to develop and strengthen research collaboration networks between scientists and engineers in the United States and Laos. This is her second visit to Southeast Asia since she was appointed Science Envoy by U.S. President Obama last year, but her first visit to Lao PDR.
Richmond celebrated International Women’s Day by visiting several local women-owned businesses and Lao cultural landmarks. During the rest of her visit, Richmond will meet with Minister of Science and Technology Boviengkham Vongdara, and representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
She will also visit the National University of Laos and the University of Health Sciences, where she will meet with members of the Lao Women's Union of the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies.
Richmond is the Presidential Chair of Chemistry at the University of Oregon, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. She is an internationally recognized leader in the field of complex surface chemistry, with interests in energy production, environmental remediation, atmospheric chemistry, and bio-molecular surfaces.
She is also the President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a Presidential appointee to the National Science Board.
Richmond, who has dedicated a considerable part of her to career to boosting the role of women in science and engineering, is the founder and chair of the Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists (COACh), a grass-roots organisation that provides professional training and networking for more than 12,000 women scientists in the United States and developing countries.
The U.S. Science Envoy Programme is one element of the United States’ commitment to global engagement in science and technology. President Obama announced the programme in Cairo in June 2009. Since the program’s inception, Science Envoys have visited 27 countries.
The Science Envoys travel as private citizens and share knowledge and insights they have gained abroad with the U.S. scientific community upon their return. These exchanges contribute to furthering cooperation and dialogue with key partners.
KPL
