Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT President, provided some reflections from the perspective of Swedish economic history at a forum under the topic, "Balancing Economic and Social Prosperities: Lessons from the Scandinavian Model of Economic and Social Evolution Project" held on 12 March 2007 at Hotel Grand Hyatt Erawan. In his reflections, he stressed the importance of cooperation between the governmental institutes and industry which has played a big role in innovation and knowledge creation.
AIT President also highlighted some of the factors owing to the Swedish success such as free environment, existence of "good institutions that gave full support and backing to the freedom of action and the freedom of trade, advanced and efficient system of education with extensive support to research and development, innovators who were able to provide the Swedish industries with new blue-prints and new modes of production, research - oriented industries, and productive role of knowledge. During his presentation he further provided some concrete examples highlighting the important role played by AIT in serving as a regional platform for triple helix type of partnerships with the public and private sector.
The forum was organized by the Public Policy Development Office, Thailand and the Embassy of Sweden. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Ari Olavi Kokko, Stockholm School of Asian Studies, Stockholm School of Economics on topic "The Swedish Knowledge Economy: From Natural Resources to High-Technology". H.E. Mr. Jonas Hafstrom, Ambassador of Sweden and Chairman of the Executive Committee, AIT trustee H.E. Mr. Lars Erik Backstrom, Ambassador of Finland, Mr. Rongpol Charoenpun, Secretary General of the Cabinet, Thailand and H.E. Prof. Dr. Yongyuth Yuthavong, Minister of Science and Technology also participated in the Forum.