On January 11, JSPS Bangkok Office visited Khon Kaen University (KKU) and organized a JSPS guidance seminar, as a part of “18th Japan Education Fair in Khon Kean” hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Thailand.
Before the seminar, Mr. Shiro Terashima, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan, and Japanese delegate made courtesy visit to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nawarat Wara-aswapati Charoen, Vice-President for International Affairs. She is a member of JSPS Alumni Association of Thailand (JAAT) and carried out her research at Tokyo Medical and Dental University as a long-term invitation research fellow.
In her welcome speech, she introduced that KKU is promoting joint researches and researchers and students exchange under MoUs with 74 Japanese universities and institutions.
Following her speech, Mr. Shiro Terashima made address and explained there are about 50 branch offices of Japanese universities in Thailand but, the number of Thai student studying in Japan is smaller than other East Asian countries such as Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia. Therefore, he hoped its number will be increased in the near future.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nawarat Wara-aswapati Charoen, also delivered welcome address in JSPS guidance seminar.
Prof. Kuniaki Yamashita, Director, JSPS Bangkok Office, expressed his gratitude for holding this seminar and explained JSPS’s outline and activities of JSPS Bangkok Office. Then, Ms. Akiko Doi and Mr. Kohei Saito, both of International Program Associate introduced JSPS international programs such as “Fellowship programs”, “RONPAKU program”, “Bilateral program” and “Core-to-Core program” respectively.
Afterwards, 2 JAAT Executive Committee members, Prof. Dr. Kittisak Sawanyawisuth and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukanya Aimimtham explained their experience in JSPS’s program. Prof. Dr. Kittisak obtained his PhD at University of Occupational and Environmental Health (UOEH) with RONPAKU program. He told the participants that JSPS program is highly competitive but, please never give up.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukanya, who obtained her PhD at Komazawa University with RONPAKU program, presented the application process in details, which enable the participants to understand JSPS program deeply.
Some 30 participants mainly young researchers including the International exchange student from Indonesia attended. They asked questions about requirements for application and its process and showing high interest in JSPS international collaboration program.