From March 10-13, 2025, a delegation from Khon Kaen University, including Mr. Surapon Petch-vra, the Vice Chairman of the University Council, Assoc. Prof. Issara Kanjug, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Asst. Prof. Sirimonbhorn Thipsingh, Dean of International College, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Sirisak Laochankham, Dean of the College of Local Administration, along with other executives, visited Astana, Kazakhstan. The purpose of the visit was to expand academic and research collaborations with leading educational institutions in Kazakhstan, which is considered the top academic hub in Central Asia.
Strengthening Ties with Kazakhstan
The initiative to expand collaboration in Kazakhstan stems from the strong diplomatic relations between Thailand and Kazakhstan in recent years. Both countries have implemented visa-free policies for their citizens, and Kazakhstan views Thailand as a key travel destination, particularly for tourism. Kazakhstan, a rapidly developing nation in Central Asia, is advancing in economics, science, and technology. Located along the Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan serves as a strategic link to Thailand and Southeast Asia. This presents an excellent opportunity for KKU to establish and explore new academic and research collaborations with Kazakh institutions.
Key Collaborations and Initiatives
The delegation aimed to establish partnerships with several institutions, including Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) and Nazarbayev University (NU), both of which are highly regarded in Kazakhstan.
- Collaboration with Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS):
- NIS operates 22 schools across Kazakhstan and is considered a model for innovative education in the country. Its vision emphasizes high-quality learning in a safe and inclusive environment, fostering global mindsets and leadership skills.
- The KKU delegation visited NIS to observe teaching methods, interact with students, and discuss potential collaborations. Key outcomes include:
- Developing extracurricular programs to enhance students’ skills and cultural understanding.
- Establishing a partnership school model to share expertise in curriculum design, teaching methods, and teacher development.
- Creating joint student projects through online platforms to build portfolios.
- Collaboration with Nazarbayev University (NU):
- NU is a rapidly growing university ranked 176-200 globally in Education Studies by THE. It collaborates with world-class institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Cambridge.
- Discussions with NU’s Graduate School of Education (GSE) focused on:
- Joint research and researcher exchanges.
- Establishing a Global Education Forum through international webinars.
- Developing graduate programs with credit transfer agreements and faculty/student exchanges.
- Collaboration with the Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP) at NU:
- GSPP, a leading institution in public policy and administration in Central Asia, has partnerships with global institutions like the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS.
- Key areas of collaboration include:
- Joint research on public affairs and policies relevant to ASEAN and Central Asia.
- Organizing webinars on public policy.
- Short-term graduate student mobility programs.
- Co-hosting international academic conferences.
Future Plans and Opportunities
The visit also included discussions with the Thai Ambassador to Kazakhstan to explore opportunities for educational diplomacy. Initial plans include:
- Sending KKU students for international internships in Kazakhstan.
- Organizing immersive programs for Kazakh students and government officials in Thailand.
- Hosting webinars and joint research initiatives to enhance international collaboration.
In June 2025, the Thai Embassy in Astana will collaborate with KKU to bring medical professionals from Central Asia to Thailand, with plans to visit KKU as part of the program. Although Kazakhstan is relatively new to Thai academia, it is a rapidly growing country with significant potential for academic and research partnerships, particularly for KKU, which serves as a gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion and aligns with the Belt and Road Initiative.
This visit marks a significant step in fostering international collaboration and expanding KKU’s global academic network.
