One hundred and fifty distinguished guests attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Erber Research Center, a joint effort between Biomin and the Faculty of Agriculture at Kasetsart University’s Kamphaeng Saen Campus in Thailand, which officially opened on 2 December 2014. In line with its R&D slogan, 'Turning science into sustainable solutions', the purpose of the centre with its modern trial facilities is to enable the application and testing of new innovative solutions for the animal feed industry.
The Erber Research Center is the sixth investment in a global network of Biomin Centers for Applied Nutrition (CAN). According to Franz Waxenecker, Director of Development at Biomin, the importance of combined laboratory and applied research in a major poultry producing country such as Thailand cannot be overstated.
Specially designed by Austrian architect, Markus Roselieb, the 466-square metre research centre boasts a unique design inspired by the traditional Chinese farmhouse courtyard with a mixture of Thai and European features. Made entirely of earth and bamboo, it uses only natural materials with energy saving features, keeping it naturally cool in the hot Thai weather. It is adjoined to a state-of-the-art broiler experiment facility by two large glass windows where visitors are able to observe the chickens during trials without compromising biosecurity or causing stress to the animals.
At the opening ceremony, Dr Erich Erber, founder of Biomin and the Erber Group, said: “I am very happy, thankful and proud that we have built something for the future of Kasetsart University, for the future of the Thai industry, for the future of our youth, students and future generation to feed this world sustainably, healthily and tastily.”
Dr Erber was recently awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) honoris causa by Kasetsart University for his lifetime achievements and contributions to the livestock industry.
Dr Erber congratulated Professor Seksom Attamangkune, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science, for helping to achieve a shared vision. The research centre will be run by Assistant Professor Yuwares Ruangpanit, Deputy Head of the Research and Technical Services Department, under the guidance of Associate Professor Neramit Sookmanee, the Head of the Animal Science Department.
According to Dr Yuwares: “[We] would like our students to be able to contribute to society in terms of animal research, training and also modern developments in animal science. This is something we are very much looking forward to in the near future.”
Dr Apichart Pongsrihadulchai, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, officiated the opening of the research center. Among the distinguished guests in attendance was Dr Duong Duy Dong, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine from Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam and Dr Tun Pheakdey, President of the University of Management and Economics of Cambodia.
Piyapa Erber, Chief Operating Officer of Biomin Thailand and Kasetsart University graduate said: “A big part of who I am today is because of Kasetsart University, and I feel it is time to give back to my alma mater. So at Biomin, we will continue to support the university in any way we can.”
