Dear members of the Asia and Pacific Nations Network (APNN),

It is with great delight that I greet you and welcome you to the website of the 2023 APNN Meeting which will be hosted by WSTEM of Mongolia. My heartfelt gratitute to the members of WSTEM and Dr. Ariunbolor Purvee, APNN Chair for her leadership and for being instrumental in the establishment and growth of WSTEM. A big thank you to Dr. Battsengel Bataar who is currently serving as Vice President Education and Research on the INWES Board. I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the Honorable Undram Chinbat, who has served on the INWES Board, 2018 to 2020.

APNN (Asia and Pacific Nations Network) was established as the first regional network of INWES in 2011 at the 15th International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES15). It was founded to allow more effective communication and networking among INWES members residing in a similar geographical zone within the Asia and the Pacific Nations. Seven objectives as agreed by the founding members were: for human exchange; for projects on collaborative programs; for collaboration between Asia & Pacific nations; for holding annual meetings and/or workshops to ensure more interaction among members; for publishing reports and studies on situation in each member country; for mentoring and coaching of local youth; and for establishing common indices on women in STEM. I am sure you will agree with me that APNN enabled INWES members within the region to realise their full potential in STEM. Five new organizations have been set up since and the membership has been steadily increasing over the decade. International joint projects and programs have continuously provided members with networking opportunities, mentoring of future women in STEM and information exchange and cooperation.Thanks to all of your participation, APNN has matured and serves as an exemplary women in STEM network.

We are living at an era when making a positive sustainable impact is crucial. And, more than ever international collaboration in STEM is emphasized to solve the common problems and challenges, among which climate change is a big concern. It is thus with great anticipation that APNN continue to act as the change maker in the region to fulfill the mission of INWES “to build a better future worldwide through full and effective participation of women and girls in all aspects of STEM.” Please continue to join us for this meaningful endeavor.

Thank you!

Jung Sun Kim, Ph. D.
INWES President 2021-2023