On Monday, August 19, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., at the Kamphol Adulavidhaya Conference Room, Golden Jubilee Administration and Information Center Building, Kasetsart University, Bangkhen Campus, Associate Professor Dr. Chamaipak Maiklad, Assistant to the President for International Affairs, presided over the welcoming ceremony for participants of the Student Exchange Program between Kasetsart University and the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. The delegation was led by Associate Professor Troy Jensen from the School of Agriculture and Environmental Science. The event was attended by faculty and staff from Kasetsart University, as well as the visiting delegation from Australia, who are participating in the "KU & UniSQ Student Exchange Program 2024," which runs from August 18 to September 1, 2024.

The exchange program is a joint effort organized by the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Engineering at Kasetsart University’s Kamphaeng Saen campus, led by Associate Professor Dr. Chanate Malumpong, Deputy Dean for Research, Academic Services, and International Affairs at the Faculty of Agriculture, Kamphaeng Saen, and Assistant Professor Dr. Wanrat Abdullakasim, Deputy Dean for International Affairs at the Faculty of Engineering, Kamphaeng Saen. The Australian delegation consists of 20 members, including faculty, students from the University of Southern Queensland, and program coordinators. The group expressed their appreciation for this collaborative effort between the universities.

On this occasion, Associate Professor Dr. Chamaipak Maiklad conveyed her hopes that the students would gain valuable experiences, forge new friendships, and explore new environments during their time in Thailand. She emphasized that these experiences would enrich the students' knowledge and inspire them to develop creative solutions to future challenges. She then officially opened the KU & UniSQ Student Exchange Program 2024.

Throughout the two-week program, participants will engage in a variety of activities in Bangkok and other provinces to learn about agriculture and engineering in Thailand. These activities include visits to the Rice Science Center and Thanya Osot Rice Mill at Kasetsart University’s Kamphaeng Saen campus, the Tropical Vegetable Research Center (TVRC), and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The program also features presentations on research activities, discussions on student exchanges, and opportunities for joint research collaboration. Additionally, participants will explore Thai arts and culture through visits to significant cultural and historical sites, such as Kanchanaburi’s cultural traditions, the Ayutthaya Historical Park in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, and Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom.

The program will conclude on September 1, 2024, when the participants will depart Thailand to return home.