The visit strengthens long-standing academic ties and explores high-quality educational development, building on the success of joint programmes and the Confucius Institute.

A Khon Kaen University delegation, led by Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, attended the 120th anniversary celebration of the founding of Southwest University in Chongqing, the People’s Republic of China, on 18 April 2026.

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 congratulations on the university’s significant milestone. The ceremony featured addresses from Prof. Zhang Weiguo and Prof. Wang Jinjun, the current President of Southwest University. The celebration also provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen the enduring relationship between Khon Kaen University and Southwest University. Concurrently, the delegation participated in discussions on educational cooperation, with a particular focus on the High-Quality Development of Education, creating an important platform for exchanging knowledge and strategies for advancing 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. 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.