On July 14, 2025, Khon Kaen University (KKU), led by Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President, together with Assoc. Prof. Nawarat Wara-aswapati, D.D.S., D.M.Sc., Vice President for International Affairs, Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Ph.D., Assistant to the President for International Affairs, Asst. Prof. Dr. Sirirak Laochankham, Dean of the College of Local Administration, and Assoc. Prof. Issara Kanjak, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Education, warmly welcomed a delegation from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The delegation was led by Mr. Sithong Sikhao, Acting Director General of the Planning Department, who visited KKU for an academic dialogue and collaboration on public policy, education, and innovation. The meeting was held at the Sirikunakorn Room 5, 6th Floor, Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University.
The purpose of the visit was to support the Executive Training Program for high-level officials of the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR. The visit focused on exchanging knowledge in public policy, educational strategic planning, and innovation development. The College of Local Administration and the Faculty of Education co-hosted the training and knowledge-sharing activities to promote effective and sustainable development.
This visit also marked a significant step in enhancing educational collaboration within the Mekong subregion, especially for high-level executives. The emphasis was on exchanging knowledge in areas such as public policy, strategic planning in education, and innovative learning approaches, with the goal of strengthening the capacity of executive personnel and advancing sustainable development for both countries and the region.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, stated: “On behalf of Khon Kaen University, I am truly honored to welcome the delegation from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao PDR. KKU has long maintained close academic ties with institutions in Lao PDR and takes great pride in contributing to human resource development and producing capable graduates for society. We are fully committed to supporting educational cooperation, particularly in enhancing the capacity of educational personnel for the mutual benefit of both nations.”
Mr. Sithong Sikhao, Acting Director General of the Planning Department, Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao PDR, responded: “On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR, I sincerely thank the executives of Khon Kaen University for their warm welcome. The purpose of our visit is to observe, exchange knowledge, and learn from KKU’s experiences in policy, management, education, and innovation, which we aim to apply to advance our own education system in Lao PDR.”
During the visit, the delegation also scheduled study visits to several schools, including the Khon Kaen University Demonstration School, Phayathai School, and the PTT Model School, to observe educational practices at the operational level.
News/Photos: International Affairs Division, KKU
