On Friday, November 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., in Meeting Room 9 on the 2nd floor of the Golden Jubilee Administration and Information Center Building at Kasetsart University’s Bangkhen Campus, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chamaipak Maiklad, Assistant to the President for International Affairs, and KU administrators, namely Asst. Prof. Dr.rer.Soc Supapatpimol Simlee, Assistant to the President for International Affairs; Asst. Prof. Dr. Naroon Waramit, Dean of the School of Integrated Science; Asst. Prof. Dr. Saowanit Lekhavat, Academic Affairs of the School of Integrated Science; Asst. Prof. Dr. Tuchakorn Lertwanakarn, Lecturer from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Win Surachetpong, Lecturer from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Asst. Prof. Dr. Saroch Kaewmanee, Lecturer from the Faculty of Agriculture; Asst. Prof. Dr. Uchook Duangbootsee, Deputy Head for Educational Quality Assurance, the Faculty of Economics; Asst. Prof. Dr. Visit Limsombunchai, Dean of the Faculty of Economics; and IAD representatives welcomed delegations from Asia Hub, Michigan State University (MSU), the United States, namely Dr. Titus Awokuse, Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Partnerships, International Studies and Programs; Dr. Jiaguo Qi, Director, Asia Hub; Dr. Steven Pueppke, Senior Scientist, Asia Hub; and Ms. Jennifer Wargo, Associate Director, Asia Hub.

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Asia Hub, MSU, formerly known as AsiaNexus, is a platform dedicated to fostering partnerships with counterparts across Asia in food and agriculture, education, health and nutrition, environment, water, and energy. Its mission is to advance MSU’s internationalization efforts. Currently, the Asia Hub network spans Central Eurasia, East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, with KU being one of its partners. In addition to the Asia Hub network, MSU has maintained numerous collaborations with partners across Asia for decades.

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During the discussion, both parties agreed that an MoU should not merely be a document but should serve as a start for tangible collaborative activities. They also emphasized the need to identify contact persons for each project or collaboration. Asst. Prof. Dr.rer.soc Supapatpimol Simlee introduced The Capacity Building of KU Students on Internationalization Program (KUCSI). The Asia Hub administrators expressed their approval of student exchanges lasting 1–2 months, with Asia Hub offering support for accommodations. Furthermore, Dr. Jiaguo Qi mentioned that Asia Hub plans to expand collaborations with various faculties and universities, particularly in the context of research initiatives.

Asia Hub, MSU’s official website > https://asiahub.isp.msu.edu/