On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., in Meeting Room 9 on the 2nd floor of the Golden Jubilee Administration and Information Center Building at Kasetsart University’s Bangkhen Campus, Assistant Professor Dr. Nuchanata Mungkung, Vice President for Finance and Asset Management, presided over and chaired the 13th Meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Confucius Institutes, Kasetsart University – Huaqiao University. The meeting was attended by Associate Professor Dr. Chamaipak Maiklad, Assistant to the President for International Affairs; Associate Professor Dr. Chatuwit Keawsuwan, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Humanities; Dr. Nathakarn Thaveewatanaseth, Thai Director of the Confucius Institute within the Faculty of Humanities at Kasetsart University; Mrs. Hathaitus Semchuchot, Acting Director of the International Affairs Division; lecturers from the Department of Eastern Languages within the Faculty of Humanities; and staff from the International Affairs Division. The university administrators from Huaqiao University, People’s Republic of China, were led by Professor Dr. Lin Hongyu, Vice President of Foreign Affairs at Huaqiao University (Chinese Chairman), along with Mr. Tu Wei, Director of the Department of Chinese Studies at Huaqiao University; Associate Professor Dr. Gao Humin, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Kasetsart University; and Mr. Lei Yun, Section Chief of the Department of Chinese Language Education at Huaqiao University.

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Kasetsart University hosted this year's 13th Meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Confucius Institutes in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting aimed to report on the institute’s progress, gain insights from the Advisory Committee, and discuss future development plans. On the same day, Kasetsart University, in collaboration with Huaqiao University (HQU), organized the "Council of Confucius Institute/Classroom Co-established with HQU and International Symposium on Confucius Institute Characteristic Education" at the Orchid 3 meeting room in the Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok. This symposium aimed to exchange knowledge and experiences in the operation of Confucius Institutes and classrooms, particularly focusing on international Chinese language education through the use of AI.

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The 13th Meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Confucius Institutes began with attendee introductions, followed by opening remarks from Kasetsart University’s Vice President and Huaqiao University’s Vice President of International Affairs, co-chairs of the meeting. Assistant Professor Dr. Nuchanata Mungkung, in her welcoming address on behalf of the President of Kasetsart University, expressed her honor in hosting the participants of the meeting. She noted that academic cooperation between Huaqiao University and Kasetsart University has successfully sustained the Confucius Institute at Kasetsart University for over 18 years. She also highlighted that on April 24, 2023, KU President Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat and other KU administrators attended the 12th Meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Confucius Institutes at Huaqiao University in Xiamen, Fujian, China, where both parties discussed enhancing academic and research collaboration and signed an MOU extension to formalize the partnership between the institutions. Dr. Chongrak also referenced the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the People’s Republic of China, which will be celebrated in 2025. As part of the anniversary celebrations, both institutions are considering organizing a joint rowing activity to further knowledge exchange and strengthen bilateral ties. Kasetsart University’s rowing club at the Faculty of Education and Development at Kamphaeng Saen Campus, and Huaqiao University’s renowned rowing team, known for organizing world-class dragon boat races, may collaborate on this event.

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Professor Dr. Lin Hongyu, Vice President of Foreign Affairs at Huaqiao University and the Chinese chairman of the 13th Meeting of the Advisory Committee, expressed his gratitude and honor to attend the meeting. On behalf of Huaqiao University’s President, he conveyed his sincere thanks to Kasetsart University for prioritizing academic cooperation in education, language, and cultural exchange between Thailand and China. He expressed excitement over the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and hoped to see more successful collaborations between the universities.

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The meeting then proceeded to review the Confucius Institute’s 2024 activities, projects, and efforts to promote Chinese knowledge and culture at Kasetsart University and external agencies. University executives from both sides also discussed the future direction of the Confucius Institute, including furthering collaboration between Kasetsart University and Huaqiao University. The institute aims not only to spread knowledge of Chinese language and culture but also to strengthen ties between Thailand and China. The Chinese and Thai directors of the Confucius Institute at Kasetsart University presented the institute’s 2024 accomplishments to the Advisory Committee, covering seven key areas: the overall action plan, Chinese language instruction and training, academic and cultural activities, financial status, major projects in 2024, and plans for 2025.

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Following the performance report review for 2024, which was deemed successful, the Advisory Committee approved the report and exchanged opinions and suggestions. Assistant Professor Dr. Nuchanata Mungkung, on behalf of Kasetsart University, put forth several proposals for enhanced academic cooperation with Huaqiao University:

-    1. Introduce additional courses or activities to promote academic cooperation between Thailand and China as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration of bilateral relations in 2025.

-    2. Invite both the Chinese and Thai Confucius Institutes to participate in an exhibition booth at the Kaset Fair (KU Agricultural Fair) in 2025 to showcase academic achievements.

-    3. Organize a joint academic conference next year.

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Dr. Nuchanata expressed her satisfaction with the Confucius Institute’s past projects and activities at Kasetsart University and looked forward to further collaborative opportunities in the future. Kasetsart University stands ready to provide full support to Huaqiao University and is open to budget requests, if needed, to advance cooperative endeavors. The meeting concluded with a group photo to commemorate the 13th Meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Confucius Institute at Kasetsart University.