HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn commends Kavli IPMU researchers for their role in Asian Science Camp 2025

September 3, 2025
The University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI)

Several Kavli IPMU researchers gave talks and engaged in discussions with high school students and undergraduates taking part in the 2025 Asian Science Camp (ASC), which took place in Thailand from July 31 to August 6.

ASC is a program initiated by Nobel Laureates Masatoshi Koshiba and Lee Yuan Tseh to give young students across Asia the opportunity to engage and have fun with science. The event has been hosted in different countries in Asia since 2007, and this year marked its 15th event.

This year, 225 students from 21 countries took part, including 20 students from Japan. There was extra flair at this year’s event, which celebrated the 70th birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand. Her Royal Highness has been actively engaged with Thailand’s science and technology education.

Kavli IPMU Project Professor Tomiyoshi Haruyama gave a speech at the opening ceremony on behalf of the ASC International Committee, having served on the committee for the past 12 years. Her Royal Highness gave gifts to both Haruyama and Kavli IPMU Professor Hitoshi Murayama for their role in organizing this year’s ASC.

The event also included plenary talks by six distinguished researchers from around the world, including three Nobel Laureates (in Physiology or Medicine, Chemistry, and Physics). Two of the speakers were Kavli IPMU members, Kavli IPMU Senior Fellow and Nobel Laureate Takaaki Kajita, who is also Institute for Cosmic Ray Research Distinguished University Professor, and Murayama.

Haruyama also gave a lecture at a satellite venue with Nobel Laureate Sir Gregory White to 1000 local students. The two talked about their own research and about the values of the ASC.

Wiphu Rujopakarn, a former Kavli IPMU Project Researcher who is currently Assistant Professor at the Chulalongkorn University and National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand Executive Director, also gave a talk and engaged in discussions with the students. Kajita and Murayama also joined in the same discussion session with students, showcasing the international efforts of Kavli IPMU.