An Afternoon Tea Hosted by Ambassador Robert F. Godec, the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, to Follow up on the SelectUSA Summit Participation

10 August 2023

As a follow up to the afternoon tea in April 2023, on July 24th, 2023, Ambassador Robert F. Godec, the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, hosted another afternoon tea for the Chula delegation at his official residence in Bangkok. This provided the opportunity for the guests to report on their participation in the SelectUSA Summit in the U.S.A. in May 2023. 

The Chula delegates consisted of 

  • Ms. Pattharaporn Suntharasaj, Ph.D.,
    Director of Chula Global Research and Innovation Promotion of the Office of International Affairs and Global Network;

and the lecturers of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, who have played major roles in the Chula Startup Ecosystem; namely,

  • Assoc. Prof. Jittima Luckanagul, Ph.D.,
    Associate Dean for Global Engagement and International Affairs, and Founder of Nabsolute Co. Ltd.;
  • Prof. Suthira Taychakhoonavudh, Ph.D.,
    Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Baiya Phytopharm Co. Ltd.; and
  • Asst. Prof. Visarut Buranasudja, RPh, Ph.D., 
    Chief Compliance Officer of Nabsolute Co. Ltd.

The Chula delegates expressed their appreciation to the U.S. Embassy in Thailand for providing them with more opportunities and bringing the potential event, Trade Winds 2023, to Thailand as well as supporting and facilitating the delegation of Chulalongkorn University and other participants from Thailand in attending the SelectUSA Summit 2023 in the U.S. from May 1st-4th, 2023.

The Chula delegates confirmed that participating in the SelectUSA Summit has broadened their experiences and networks, as it can be seen that one judge has become a mentor for the Nabsolute Co. Ltd. and this event has given them the opportunity to meet several potential Venture Capitals (VCs) and startups from the U.S. and other countries. Furthermore, they have learned more about the U.S. innovation business ecosystem, the role of the U.S. Government in supporting startup companies, and policies that facilitate foreign startup companies to open or expand their businesses in the U.S.

In addition, the Chula delegation updated the Ambassador about the Chula Demo Day, that will be held on October 16th, 2023. The Ambassador showed his interest in attending the event if his time would permit.