A delegation from Khon Kaen University (KKU), comprising representatives from its ASEAN Studies Center, Mekong Basin Civilization Research Center, and the Mekong Basin Studies program, recently visited prominent universities in Hanoi, Vietnam. The visit, held from September 15 to 18, 2025, aimed to strengthen academic relations between Thailand and Vietnam.
Led by Associate Professor Dr. Thananan Boonwannaa, Chair of the Mekong Basin Studies program, and Assistant Professor Dr. Keeratiporn Jutaviriyaporn, Acting Director of the KKU ASEAN Studies Center, the group included faculty members and master’s students from the Mekong Basin Studies program, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Their objectives were to promote the program, establish collaborative networks, and exchange academic knowledge.
The visit commenced at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam National University, Hanoi. The KKU delegation received a warm welcome from Dr. Phạm Hoàng Hưng, Dean of the Department of Oriental Studies; Dr. Nguyễn Ngọc Bình, Dean of the Department of Vietnamese Language and Linguistics and Vietnamese Studies; and Dr. Nguyễn Thị Thúy Châu, Head of the Thai Studies program. The institutions engaged in an academic exchange with Vietnamese faculty and students studying Thai, fostering mutual understanding and reinforcing educational ties between the two nations.
Subsequently, the delegation proceeded to the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They were greeted by Dr. Đặng Trung Dũng, a faculty member and former diplomat at the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand. This meeting marked a significant step in expanding academic cooperation between Khon Kaen University and the Diplomatic Academy. Discussions emphasized promoting student and scholar exchanges, as well as integrating research initiatives relevant to the Mekong region. This collaboration is expected to broaden the scope of knowledge and establish a more profound academic database.
The establishment of this Thai-Vietnamese academic network holds strategic importance. It not only elevates Khon Kaen University’s international reputation and academic capabilities but also underscores the role of KKU’s Mekong Basin Studies program as a central hub for learning and research. The program is dedicated to connecting academic networks across Southeast Asia, paving the way for future educational cooperation, research, and sustainable development within the Mekong region.
reported by Mr. Pitiphat Janthamat from the ASEAN Studies Center, Khon Kaen University.
