On May 29, 2020, at 11.45 hrs. in front of Sirikunakorn Building, Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University, representatives of Khon Kaen University led by Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, Acting President of Khon Kaen University, together with Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Assistant to the President for International Affairs, and Ms. Netdao Chamroendararasmee, Acting Director of International Affairs Division, received 8,000 surgical masks from Tourism and Culture College, Yunnan University, People’s Republic of China. The representatives of the donation were led by Prof. Dr. La-orsri Sanoamuang, Dean of International College, and administrators from International College.
Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Assistant to the President for International Affairs, said the Tourism and Culture College of Yunnan University, a leading university in the People’s Republic of China, recognizes the significance of assisting the situation at Khon Kaen University. Therefore, they have donated 8,000 surgical masks to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19).
“Due to the strengthened relations between International College, KKU, and Yunnan University in terms of taking exchange students during the COVID-19 outbreak, and assisting students to return to their countries safely, Yunnan University was very impressed, so they donated the 8,000 surgical masks to Khon Kaen University. Having received the masks, we will distribute them to the medical staff of Srinakarind Hospital, KKU, Khon Kaen Hospital, and hospitals in the Isan region. Moreover, we will distribute some to International College who has been the main organizing force for this kindness.”
Prof. Dr. La-orsri Sanoamuang, Dean of International College, Khon Kaen University, said Khon Kaen University and Tourism and Culture College, Yunnan University, have cooperated since 2015 in terms of student exchanges at International College, KKU, and that last year, there were 16 exchange students who studied at International College. Unfortunately, due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, they needed to hold their internships and study to go back to their country. However, this donation shows strengthened cooperation and caring relations between the two countries.
“International College, KKU, and Tourism and Culture College, Yunnan University, have a long mutual relationship. Two Chinese lecturers are responsible for this cooperation. Our two universities’ administrators always visit each other, KKU will take 30 students on an excursion, and Yunnan University sends 20-30 exchange students each year to KKU. So when the COVID-19 spread worldwide, they wanted to donate the surgical masks to us to demonstrate a good relationship. In a letter, they also expressed our connection and their sympathy. The exchange students love Thailand and enjoy studying in International College, KKU. We believe that the number of Chinese students will increase in the future because of the strengthened relations between our two countries.”
[ Thai ]
