JSPS Bangkok Office organized a program briefing at Ubon Ratchathani University (UBU) on February 6, 2015 as a part of “Japan Education Fair”. It was for the first time in two years.

UBU was founded in 1987 as a regional campus of Khon Kaen University. It was established as an university by Royal Charter in 1990. It aims to provide educational opportunities for the people of North-East Thailand. It supports and encourages research that benefits the local, national, and international communities, and promotes activities that preserve the cultural identity of the area.

Courtesy visit with Japanese delegates members

Firstly, Mr. Mitsugu Saito, Minister of Embassy of Japan in Thailand and Japanese delegates including embassy staff members and Japanese universities are welcomed by Dr. Nongnit Teerawatanasuk, President of UBU, who had participated in JSPS Core University Program before. It was our great pleasure to meet JSPS alumni and realized the importance to promote JSPS’s activity at regional university.

Students welcomed Japanese delegates members

Following the meeting with UBU representatives, JSPS guidance seminar was convened with almost 30 participants. Mr. Daisuke Yamada, Deputy Director of JSPS Bangkok Office explained JSPS’s program menu.

Group photo at the JSPS Guidance Seminar

The session also featured a speaker from UBU. Dr. Bubpa Chaitieng, Faculty of Agriculture, who is a former JSPS postdoctoral fellow at The National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS), made a speech about her research experiences as well as life in Japan.

Dr. Bubpa

Another JSPS alumni, Dr. Thaweesak Juengwatanatrakul, Assistant Professor of Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, who obtained his Ph.D. degree at Kyushu University and had participated in JSPS Core University Program joined the seminar to explain about JSPS programs and his experience.

Dr. Thaweesak

During Q&A session, various questions e.g. the application procedure, application form, and eligibility were asked intensively by the participants. Mr. Yamada, Deputy Director encouraged participants to apply repeatedly JSPS international programs. Though it is highly competitive, some successful recipients are from regional universities and there must be chance.

At the session

At the session 2