On Monday, August 5th, 2024, at 01.00 p.m., Meeting Room No.9, 2nd floor of the Kasetsart Golden Jubilee Administration and Information Center Building, Kasetsart University Bangkhen Campus, Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat, Acting President of Kasetsart University along with administrators, namely Dr. Damrong Sripraram, Vice President for Administration and Carbon Neutrality; Prof. Dr. Dokrak Marod, Vice President for Research and Internationalization; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kornsorn Srikulnath, Assistant to the President for Research and Internationalization; Asst. Prof. Dr. Saroch Kaewmanee, Lecturer from the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture; Miss Jutamat Klinsoda, Researcher from the Institute of Food Research and Product Development (IFRPD); Miss Benjaluk Pavasopon, Administrative Officer from the Institute of Food Research and Product Development (IFRPD); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prakit Sukyai, Deputy Head of the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuttakan Nitayapat, Deputy Dean for International Affairs, Faculty of Agro-Industry; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Singh Intrachooto, Head of Creative Center for Eco-design, Faculty of Architecture; Mrs. Hathaitus Semchuchot, Acting Director of International Affairs Division; and representatives from the International Affairs Division welcomed senior executives from the Food Safety Department, Ministry of Public Health, State of Qatar, led by H.E. Mr. Sira Swangsilpa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the State of Qatar; Mrs. Wasan Abdulla Al-Baker, Director of Food Safety Department; Mr. Khalid Yousuf Al-Sulaiti, Head of Ports Health & Food Control Section, Food Safety Department; and Mrs. Najat Ali Al-Alabdulmalik, Head of Food Safety Laboratories, Food Safety Department; and Mr. Tanpong Wongboongird, Second Secretary, Royal Thai Embassy, Doha on the occasion of first visiting Kasetsart University.

The Food Safety Department under the Ministry of Public Health, State of Qatar, was initially established as the Food Safety Division, it later expanded into the Food Safety Department, which now has over 300 personnel. It has the primary mission of controlling, analyzing, and inspecting food quality. The department works with food handlers and food import/export companies within Qatar and collaborates with international food safety agencies. Thailand and the State of Qatar have had a longstanding relationship for over four decades in various dimensions, including food safety. On Thursday, March 14, 2024, H.E. Mr. Sira Swangsilpa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the State of Qatar, paid a courtesy call on Mrs. Wasan Abdulla Al-Baker and Mr. Khalid Yousuf Al-Sulaiti to discuss food safety cooperation between Thailand and State of Qatar.

This visit to KU aims to discuss ways to establish collaboration on food safety standards and promote cooperation between Thailand and Qatar. During the discussions, both parties inquired and exchanged information on food safety issues such as extending the shelf life of food products, alerting consumers about food contaminants, and gene-editing technology. Following the discussions, the delegation visited the Institute of Food Research and Product Development (IFRPD), the Faculty of Agro-Industry, and Premium @KU, respectively.

Additionally, from August 26-29, 2024, the Royal Thai Embassy in Doha has invited a delegation from KU to participate as speakers in the seminar and exhibition “Seminar on Labs, Farms, and Battles: Turning Wastes to Treasures.” The KU delegation will include three representatives: Dr. Damrong Sripraram, Vice President for Administration and Carbon Neutrality; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Singh Intrachooto, Head of Creative Center for Eco-design, Faculty of Architecture; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prakit Sukyai, Deputy Head of the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry.