Thai delegation enhances cooperation during XJTLU visit

On 28 May, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) welcomed a group of over 80 academic staff and administrators from Thailand’s Kasetsart University (KU), reinforcing the growing partnership between the two institutions.

As Thailand’s largest and third-oldest university, KU has played a key role in the country’s higher education landscape since its founding in 1943. Over 70,000 students are currently enrolled at KU and the university has several campuses across Thailand.

This partnership builds on last October’s visit from KU, which included a celebratory concert marking 50 years of China-Thailand diplomatic relations. Now, the two universities are deepening their cooperation in education, research, and student exchange.

From left: Dr Tanin Kongsila, Dr Wanwipa Vongsangnak, and Professor Zhoulin Ruan

Shared values

In his opening remarks, Professor Zhoulin Ruan, XJTLU Vice President of Academic Affairs, highlighted the strong cultural and educational bonds between China and Thailand: “In addition to mutual trade, people in China and Thailand benefit from travel and tourism as well as cultural ties that connect us closely. A common belief in the importance of education is shared among us, both philosophically and practically.”

He said that XJTLU has over 60 students from Thailand, and “we look forward to this number growing rapidly over the coming months and years.”

Delegates from Kasetsart University

He also shared the news that XJTLU is partnering with Thailand’s CP Group in the areas of educational technologies, entrepreneurship and postgraduate education. “These are the kinds of initiatives that we believe both our institutions will be seeing more and more of. By working together, we want to offer all our students a better future through collaboration, shared knowledge and experience and new, exciting opportunities.”

The day concluded with a networking session between Kasetsart and XJTLU

Increased collaboration

Professor Stuart Perrin, Chief Officer of Ecology at XJTLU, introduced the University’s innovative Syntegrative model, and unveiled exciting news for KU students: “Starting from September 2026, we will be introducing a friendship scholarship to your institution. That means your undergraduate students who would like to come to us for master’s degrees will automatically get a 30% discount.”

Dr Tanin Kongsila, KU’s Vice President for Human Resources and Strategy, and Dr Wanwipa Vongsangnak, Acting Dean of KU International College, emphasised the importance of Sino-Thai academic collaboration.

The afternoon included tours of XJTLU's SIP campus

China is KU’s largest source of international students, and the university is also working with several others, including XJTLU, through its Sino-Thai projects.

Dr Vongsangnak said: “These projects are aimed at strengthening joint collaboration, not only for academics, but also for research and for students.”

Following the afternoon’s discussions, KU delegates toured XJTLU’s SIP campus and attended a reception at the XJTLU Museum, capping off a day of productive exchange.

Kasetsart University delegates with XJTLU

By Patricia Pieterse

Edited by Catherine Diamond