Yongyuth Yuthavong, a Vice-President of TWAS, has been named deputy prime minister of Thailand. In the new position, Yuthavong is responsible for social affairs, comprising science and technology, social development, education and health.

Yuthavong is a biochemist and a TWAS Fellow (1991) serving as vice president for East and Southeast Asia on the Academy's Council, with a term running from 2013 to 2015. He had previously served as Thailand’s minister of science and technology from 2006 to 2008.

From 1985 to 1991, he was the director of BIOTEC, Thailand’s Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, with which TWAS now collaborates on a postdoctoral fellowship programme. He is currently also a senior research fellow of BIOTEC. The appointment to the new position was made on 31 August.

In a letter of congratulation, TWAS Executive Director Romain Murenzi praised Yuthavong’s long support of TWAS. And, he said: “I am confident that you will contribute significantly to the further development of Thailand.”

Sean Treacy