A courtesy visit of delegations from the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok

          On 20^th March 2024, Meeting Room No.9, 2^nd floor of the Kasetsart Golden Jubilee Administration and Information Center Building, Kasetsart University Bangkhen Campus, Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat, President of Kasetsart University, along with administrators and lecturers, namely Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kampanat Pensupar, Vice President for International Affairs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chamaipak Maiklad, Assistant to the President for International Affairs; Asst. Prof. Dr.rer.Soc Supapatpimol Simlee, Assistant to the President for International Affairs; Asst. Prof. Dr. Wg.Cdr. Ngamlamai Piolueang, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wanwimol Klaypradit, Deputy Dean for International Affairs, Faculty of Fisheries; Asst. Prof. Dr. Sasitorn Tongchitpakdee, Associate Dean for Special Projects, Faculty of Agro-industry; Asst. Prof. Dr. Susit Chaiprakaikeow, Vice Dean for Facility and Environment, Faculty of Engineering; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anchasa Pramuanjaroenkij, Kasetsart University International College (KUIC); Mrs. Achiraya Nunes Galante, Kasetsart University International College (KUIC); Mrs. Hathaitus Semchuchot, Acting Director of International Affairs Division; and representatives of the International Affairs Division, welcomed H.E. Mr. Dhan Bahadur Oli, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal to Thailand and Permanent Representative to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and The Pacific (UNESCAP), and Mr. Khaga Raj Pandeya, First Secretary and Permanent Representative to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and The Pacific (UNESCAP) on the occasion of their visit to Kasetsart University. The objective of this visit was to strengthen the relationship and discuss potential academic collaboration between Thailand and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

          Owing to their geographical proximity in Asia, Thailand and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal have forged a strong relationship over the years. According to a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, Nepal is a popular destination for many Thai Buddhist tourists. Regarding KU, the university once welcomed the Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal to Thailand, along with 6 other Ambassadors and Charge d'Affaires from various countries, on 15th September 2022, at Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus. This gathering marked a collaborative effort focusing on human resource development and the exchange of research staff.

          KU administrators and lecturers provided information about their respective departments to enable the delegates to consider the potential specific fields of collaboration. Many faculties offer courses for international students or both short-term and long-term student exchange programs. Moreover, several faculties have directly collaborated with the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, such as the Faculty of Agro-Industry, which attracts Nepalese students interested in pursuing master's degrees in Food Science to work in food research laboratories. The Faculty of Humanities has organized charity concerts to raise funds to aid Nepal earthquake victims, featuring the Kasetsart University Wind Symphony (KU Wind), the country's first university-level wind ensemble. Additionally, the Faculty of Engineering has admitted over 10 Nepalese students.

          H.E. Mr. Dhan Bahadur Oli emphasized that the information received is valuable and beneficial for fostering cooperation between Thailand and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. As Nepal attaches great importance to knowledge and education, Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat proposed to facilitate a meeting between university presidents from various countries collaborating with Nepal in the following year. This initiative aims to start collaboration efforts. After presenting souvenirs to the delegates, all participants participated in a group photo session.