BANGKOK,
Dec 12 (TNA) – The Embassy of Japan invited the first Asian female astronaut
Dr. Chiaki Mukai, to Thailand to speak to the young generation of women with
the view to encourage them to pursue education, career and leadership in
traditionally male dominated areas such as Science and Technology.
Dr.
Mukai delivered a keynote lecture “Space, Me and Fellow Women” at the Woman in
Limitless “Space” symposium, jointly organized by the Geo-Informatics and Space
Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), Sasin School of Management,
Chulalongkorn University and C-Asean, a social enterprise aiming to strengthen regional
connectivity.
Dr.
Mukai graduated from Keio University School of Medicine and worked as a cardiac
surgeon at Keio University Hospital. She was selected by the National Space
Development Agency of Japan as a science astronaut in 1985 and is the first Asian female
astronaut to fly to space twice between 1994 and 1998.
She
said there is no obstacle for a woman to be an astronaut because everyone will
be well-trained to be able to do their missions in the space. She suggested specialization can be achieved
by regular practice and good teamwork will help us overcome obstacles.
The
symposium also featured a panel discussion, in which women leaders discussed
the challenges that women faced and how they can possibly overcome.
Following
the discussion, presentations from young women innovators (especially in the
space related fields) were held to inspire their own generation. (TNA)
