The visit strengthens long-standing academic ties and explores high-quality educational development, building on the success of joint programmes and the Confucius Institute.
CHONGQING, CHINA – A Khon Kaen University (KKU) delegation, led by President Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., attended the 120th anniversary celebration of Southwest University (SWU) on 18 April 2026. The visit served to reinforce long-standing academic ties and explore high-quality educational development, building on the success of joint programmes and the Confucius Institute.
The delegation included Assistant Professor Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Ph.D., Assistant to the President for International Affairs; Assistant Professor Dr. Uthaiwan Danwiwat, Director of the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University (Thai Director); Associate Professor Orathai Piayura, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Associate Professor Issara Kanjak, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Education; and faculty members from the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Education.
The visit aimed to extend formal congratulations on Southwest University’s significant milestone. During the ceremony, addresses were delivered by Professor Zhang Weiguo and Professor Wang Jinjun, the current President of Southwest University. The event provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen the enduring relationship between the two institutions. Concurrently, the delegation participated in high-level discussions regarding educational cooperation. These talks focused specifically on the “High-Quality Development of Education,” creating a vital platform for exchanging knowledge and strategies to advance international education systems.
Khon Kaen University and Southwest University share a long and continuous history of academic collaboration, particularly through the operations of the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University. Established through a partnership between the two institutions, the Institute has played a crucial role in promoting Chinese language instruction and fostering ongoing cultural and academic exchange between Thailand and the People’s Republic of China.
Furthermore, this cooperation has expanded to include the development of international double degree programmes. These programmes cover the field of Chinese language, under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Chinese language teaching, under the Faculty of Education. Students in these programmes have the opportunity to study at both institutions and earn degrees from both Khon Kaen University and Southwest University, thereby enhancing their capabilities and preparedness for the international stage.
This profound collaboration reflects the strong and well-established relationship between the two universities and reinforces Khon Kaen University’s commitment to advancing internationalisation through the sustainable development of joint curricula, collaborative research, and robust international partnerships.
Khon Kaen University and Southwest University share a long and continuous history of academic collaboration, particularly through the operations of the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University. Established through a partnership between the two institutions, the Institute has played a crucial role in promoting Chinese language instruction and fostering ongoing cultural and academic exchange between Thailand and the People’s Republic of China.
Furthermore, this cooperation has expanded to include the development of international double degree programmes. These programmes cover the field of Chinese language, under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Chinese language teaching, under the Faculty of Education. Under these unique agreements, students have the opportunity to study at both KKU and SWU, ultimately earning degrees from both institutions. This dual-qualification model significantly enhances their professional capabilities and global competitiveness.
This profound collaboration reflects the strong and well-established relationship between the two universities and reinforces Khon Kaen University’s commitment to advancing internationalisation through the sustainable development of joint curricula, collaborative research, and robust international partnerships.
