On 17 November 2015, JSPS Bangkok Office organized a JSPS guidance seminar at Khon Kaen University as a part of “Japan Education Fair” organized by the Embassy of Japan in Thailand.

Khon Kaen University is one of the leading national universities in northeastern Thailand. Selected as one of 9 research universities in Thailand by Ministry of Education, the university promotes research activities. It has been carrying out a JSPS bilateral joint research project with Kyushu University since FY2014 and also a member of JSPS Core-to-Core project conducted by Yamaguchi University as the Thai core institute.

Firstly, Japanese delegates including the embassy and universities are welcomed by Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Vice President for research and technology transfer affairs and representatives from all faculties. After the introduction of the university and each faculties, participants exchanged view on establishment of double degree programs and student exchange schemes in order to enhance the collaboration between Japanese and Thai universities.

Following the meeting with Khon Kaen University representatives, JSPS guidance seminar was convened with more than 20 participants. Dr. Teekayu Plangkoon Jorns, Assistant to the President for International Relations kicked off the session with opening remarks and Bangkok Office introduced JSPS’s outline, the office’s activities and international programs.

Dr. Teekayu

Program briefing by JSPS Bangkok Office

The session also featured 2 speakers from Khon Kaen University. Assoc. Prof. Kittisak Sawanyawisuth, who is a member of JAAT executive committee and greatly supported to coordinate the seminar, made a speech on his experience as a RONPAKU fellow at University of Occupational and Environment Health and his recent academic achievement after successfully obtained PhD degree.

Assoc. Prof. Kittisak

The second speaker is Assoc. Prof. Sakda Daduang, who obtained his Ph.D. degree from the University of Tokyo under the support of Thai government scholarship and then was awarded JSPS invitation fellowship to conduct research at Osaka University. He talked about variety of experience during his stay as a student and a researcher in Japan, such as working time at the laboratory where he spent 6 days a week except Sunday and various Japanese textbooks he used to study Japanese. His humorous speech attracted many audience.

Assoc. Prof. Sakda