ASIA-PACIFIC GROUP VISITS NOVARTIS HQ-CAMPUS
As part of the Asia-Pacific Group’s regular monthly networking activities, Philippine Ambassador Leslie Baja, together with the Ambassadors of Japan, Laos, Pakistan, Australia and Indonesia visited the Novartis headquarters and campus in Basel on 24 March 2015.
Ambassador Baja, as coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Group of Heads of Post in Switzerland, led the delegation in discussing possible institutional cooperation between Novartis and the respective countries represented in the group.
Ambassador Baja (2nd from left) is joined by (from left) Ambassadors Ryuhei Maeda (Japan), Aman Rashid (Pakistan), Linggawaty Hakim (Indonesia) and Thonghane Savanphet (Laos) during the Asia-Pacific Group’s meeting with Novartis officials.
During the briefing with the Asia-Pacific Ambassadors, Novartis said it is interested in training qualified scientists in the region at its campus and research site in Basel.
Ambassador Baja related the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology and Novartis, which allows qualified Filipino “intern-scientists” to work with top Novartis scientists on specific scientific or clinical research projects and make use of Novartis’ pioneering biomedical research technologies.
The Asia-Pacific Group was formed for a closer collaboration and discussion of common concerns among the heads of posts of Asia and Pacific states in Switzerland. They meet monthly on a rotation basis. The Philippines is one of the core members of the Asia Pacific Group.
Novartis, a Swiss corporation engaged in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, is committed to the promotion of advancement of science and the importance of nurturing scientific talents.
Asia-Pacific Group Ambassadors (left) and Novartis officials (right) discussing possible areas of cooperation
