Kyoto University received a visit from Mahidol University, Thailand, on 22 October. The visiting delegation consisted of Mr Worawit Israngkul Na Ayudhya (Dean of Faculty of Engineering), Dr Songpol Ongwattanakul (Associate Dean for Academic Technology and Corporate Relations Affairs), Professor Gunn Kanathantip, (Associate Dean for Treasury and Academic Services), Dr Borwornluk Oonkhanond (Head of Chemical Engineering Department), Dr Somchai Pathomsiri (Chairman, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering), and Dr Supphachan Rajsiri (Associate Department Head, Department of Industrial Engineering). The main purpose of their visit was to discuss comprehensive educational collaboration and exchanges between the two universities.

Arriving at the Clock Tower Centennial Hall in the morning, the Mahidol University delegates were greeted by Professor Junichi Mori, Vice-President for International Relations, who gave a welcome speech and presented an overview of Kyoto University. The guests were then guided to the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES), where they attended presentations in the Dean’s Office given by Professor Shozo Shibata, Associate Professor Shuhei Tanaka, and Associate Professor Hirohide Kobayashi, entitled, respectively, “Introduction of GSGES and KU International Education Collaboration Projects”, “History with Mahidol University”, and “Project for Cultivating Environmental and Social Innovators in Cooperation with the Overseas Satellites of ASEAN Universities”.

During lunchtime, the Mahidol University officials were joined by KU faculty members for a discussion on near-term collaboration opportunities in research and education. In the afternoon, the guests moved to Cluster C of Katsura Campus to meet with researchers from the Graduate School of Engineering (GSE), including Professor Yuzuru Matsuoka, Professor Hiroyasu Ohtsu, Associate Professor Fumitake Nishimura, and Professor Sadahiko Itoh. Professor Itoh outlined the GSE’s educational programs, while two Mahidol University representatives gave an overview of their Faculty of Engineering. Officials from the two universities also reflected on some of their earlier research and education collaborations. The guests wrapped up their visit with a laboratory tour focusing on research in environmental engineering.

The visit has undoubtedly served to strengthen further exchange and interaction between Mahidol University and Kyoto University.