On June 12, 2023, the administrators and faculty members of the Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University visited Nagaoka University of Technology (NUT), Japan to discuss the academic collaboration. The delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Ratchaphon Suntivarakorn, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Chiranut Sa-ngiamsak, the Vice Dean of Research, Innovation, and International Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Korb Srinawin, the Head of the Civil Engineering Department, and faculty members including Assoc. Prof. Pairaya Choeisai, Assoc. Prof. Pornnapa Kasemsiri, Asst. Prof. Ampon Wongsa, Dr. Phoomipat Jungcharoen, and staff from the International Affairs office. They were warmly welcomed by Prof. Minoru Umeda, Executive Director and Vice President of Research Planning, Industrial-Academic Regional Collaboration and SDGs, as well as Prof. Takashi Yamaguchi, President Aide, Industry-Academia Regional Collaboration.
In this visit, various academic collaborations were discussed, including joint research initiatives, faculty and student exchanges. These collaborations aim to expand further, especially in response to the COVID-19 situation. During this visit, there were shared knowledge and experiences in research collaborations with industry partners or international institutions that Nagaoka University of Technology (NUT) following the KOSEN approach, which emphasizes continuous practical learning and research for successful outcomes. NUT has become a leading university in Japan in SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as well as being a university participating in the World Leading Innovation & Smart Education Program (WISE) through Twinning and Double Degree Programs. In addition, they visited the Aqua & Soil Environment Laboratory, which is equipped with modern tools and equipment for research purposes.
Moreover, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University (ENKKU) and Nagaoka University of Technology (NUT). The academic collaboration has been documented since the year 2003 (2546 B.E.), demonstrating a deep understanding at the university level. Assoc. Prof. Kittichai Triratanasirichai, Former President of Khon Kaen University and Former Dean of Faculty of Engineering, KKU initiated the collaboration. Since then, the Faculty of Engineering at Khon Kaen University and Nagaoka University of Technology (NUT) have maintained continuous and robust academic cooperation.
On June 13, 2023, a visit was made to the Taisei Advanced Center of Technology, Japan, which is the research center of Taisei Corporation, Japan. Dr. Eiji Owaki, the Head Researcher, and Mr. Naohito Ohba, Managing Director from Taisei (Thailand) Co., Ltd., also traveled from Thailand to join in welcoming the delegation at the Taisei Advanced Center of Technology, Japan. On this occasion, the faculty gained knowledge and exchanged experiences in developing cutting-edge innovations that meet societal needs through technological advancements with the Taisei Advanced Center of Technology. Additionally, there were discussions for future academic collaborations in research with Taisei (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
