On Monday, December 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kasetsart University (KU) and Mekong Institute (MI) was held in Meeting Room 9, 2nd Floor, the Golden Jubilee Administration and Information Center Building, Kasetsart University, Associate Professor Dr. Apisit Songsasen, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Lifelong Learning and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science, on behalf of Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat, President of Kasetsart University, presided over the event, welcomed the delegation, and signed the MoU. Several executives and faculty members from Kasetsart University participated as witnesses, including Professor Dr. Dokrak Marod, Vice President for Research and Internationalization; Associate Professor Dr. Kornson Srikulnath, Assistant to the President for Research and Internationalization and Chair of the Research Committee on Animal Genomics and Biological Resources; Associate Professor Dr. Orachos Napasintuwong, Deputy Head of the Department of International Affairs, Faculty of Economics, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics; Miss Pratthana Thirakiettikun, Head of the International Collaboration and Networking Section, and IAD representatives, alongside other staff members from the International Affairs Division. The representatives from Mekong Institute (MI) attending the ceremony included: Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director, and Ms. Pornwilai Pumira, External Relations and Protocol Manager, Mekong Institute.

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The Faculty of Science at Kasetsart University, in collaboration with Mekong Institute (MI), aims to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support educational and academic research cooperation activities and other initiatives. These include collaborative efforts to enhance research capabilities, exchange personnel and information, develop networks, databases, and technical resources, and strengthen research and innovation capacities. Additionally, the collaboration seeks to organize joint training programs, meetings, seminars, and workshops to enrich students' professional experiences, alongside other related activities.

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Kasetsart University (KU) and Mekong Institute (MI) share the common goal of promoting academic collaboration and sustainable development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Through various joint initiatives, this cooperation focuses on capacity building, network development, and human resource development.

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After Associate Professor Dr. Apisit Songsasen, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Lifelong Learning and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science gave a welcome speech at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kasetsart University and Mekong Institute (MI), Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of the Mekong Institute (MI), expressed his gratitude and delight on the occasion of signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions and discussed that the signing of this MoU is to support and promote cooperation in research to drive and develop continuously, using research results and knowledge to drive policies. In the past, Mekong Institute (MI) has continually collaborated with Kasetsart University in training and development in various fields. This collaboration will bring various knowledge to develop officially and push forward within the next year in 3 main matters: 1) Supporting the ASEAN-GMS Strategic Plan on Agri-Food 2) Developing projects related to agriculture and nature-based solutions 3) Establishing a research network with other educational institutions. The executives of Kasetsart University informed the meeting that these focus areas align with the university's existing initiatives and its robust network. However, Kasetsart University will push for more operational research and is willing to build networks with MI on various issues and agendas. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kasetsart University and Mekong Institute (MI) will be the first step in formal cooperation. The MoU will be a part that moves forward in the framework of research, projects, funding sources, internships, and future practices, including the creation of working groups to work together.

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The Mekong Institute (MI) is dedicated to human resource development and capacity building to accelerate sustainable economic and social development and alleviate poverty in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). It also promotes regional cooperation and integration among the countries in the region, as stated in the MI Charter of 2003. MI has been implementing its activities since 1996, initially supported by the government of New Zealand through a development assistance project aimed at enhancing the economic and social progress of the GMS countries. MI operates as an independent organization focused on fostering collaboration among the governments of the region and is headquartered at Khon Kaen University in Northeastern Thailand.

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In 2003, the governments of the six GMS countries—Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yunnan Province of China—signed a legal agreement recognizing the Mekong Institute (MI) as a non-profit, independent, international organization. MI works closely with various institutions within the region to achieve its objectives.

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In July 2007, the Thai government signed an agreement permitting the Mekong Institute (MI) to establish its headquarters in Thailand. It also officially recognized MI as an intergovernmental organization representing the six GMS member countries.

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Following the MoU signing, Associate Professor Dr. Apisit Songsasen presented a token of appreciation to Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of Mekong Institute, and the other representative from MI. The event concluded with a group photo to commemorate the occasion.