6 May 2026
BTH professor appointed to honorary role in international research network
Hans-Jürgen Zepernick, a professor at BTH, has recently been appointed to the board of the ASEAN Research Network, which works to promote economic growth, social development, cultural development and regional peace. Hans-Jürgen will be responsible for thematic coordination and academic content.
Hans-Jürgen Zepernick, Professor of Radio Communications at BTH, attended the inaugural strategic meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Research Network (ARN) in Da Nang, Vietnam. He has been appointed to serve on the board of the ASEAN ARN in a position of trust and honour.
ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organisation founded in 1967 to promote economic growth, social development, cultural development and regional peace.
“I am honoured and very pleased to serve in the role of board member. It will be a pleasure to contribute to thematic coordination and the development of academic content within the board’s areas of expertise,” says Hans-Jürgen Zepernick.
The inauguration of ASEAN ARN represents a significant step toward narrowing regional research gaps and integrating Southeast Asian academia more deeply into the global research ecosystem. Through global markets and local creativity engagement, ARN fosters cross-boarder mobility, interdisciplinary learning, workforce development, and research-driven innovation to empower the youth and serve the ASEAN community.
"The ASEAN Research Network (ARN), established under the Passage to ASEAN (P2A) initiative with 145 universities in the Southeast Asia, officially recognized by ASEAN Secretariat, serves as a dynamic platform for regional research collaboration and academic partnership. ARN provides mobility and professional growth opportunities to empower students, faculty, and early-career researchers in their pursuit of impactful and sustainable research", says Prof. Trung Q. Duong, President of ARN.
ARN’s mission is guided by three foundational pillars:
- Capacity Acceleration: Providing mentoring, scholarship support, and advanced technical training to empower researchers across the region.
- Strategic Networking: Establishing thematic research clusters aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Research Execution: Fostering joint grant applications, collaborative research projects, and international publication pathways to enhance global impact.
ARN consists of 10 member states—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnan and 145 member institutions.
"The ASEAN region has strong research potential, but capacity and resource disparities inhibit growth of the region and restrict developing member states. The ASEAN Research Network (ARN) addresses these gaps by creating collaborative opportunities that integrate regional scholars into global research networks. By facilitating joint initiatives and sharing infrastructure, ARN leverages the distinct academic strengths of each nation. This framework provides researchers across all member states with equitable access to funding, mentorship, and technology. Ultimately, ARN unifies regional scientific output, establishing Southeast Asia as a cohesive contributor to global innovation", says Dr. Hang Le, Director of P2A Secretariat.