23rd ASJA-ASCOJA-JAOL Symposium in Vientiane, LAO PDR

The 23rd ASJA-ASCOJA-JAOL Symposium was held in Vientiane from 11th to 13th September 2025 and 4 representatives from JUGAS participated, including President Shen Yue and exco members Ms. Oh Yong Ting, Mr. Kyaw Paing and Ms. Chua Hwee Teng.

Organised by the Japan Alumni of Laos (JAOL), the symposium saw many insightful presentations from the different chapters under the theme “Towards Sustainable Food Systems: Cooperation for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Innovation.”

The presentation from JUGAS was a joint effort between our scholar Ms. Ryhan binte Mohd Yazid and Ms, Chua Hwee Teng. It began with Singapore’s brief history of land-based farming, followed by current policies and efforts to encourage high-tech farming and smart agricultural methods. After the presentation, we received numerous comments and expressions of interest from the audience, some of whom expressed surprise at Singapore’s efforts in agriculture.

The highlight of the event was the gala dinner after the symposium which saw the attendance of Ambassador Koizumi Tsutomu of the Embassy of Japan in Lao PDR. All the participants were treated to an enjoyable evening of enthusiastic performances by school children and Lao traditional dances, culminating in a grand finale of mass participation in a Lao traditional dance by many delegates.

Through participating in such activities, JUGAS members will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions with other chapters, which will hopefully inspire new projects and perspectives in our work and lives.