The College of Local Administration, Khon Kaen University (COLA KKU), participated in the British Columbia International Education Week 2025 (BCIEW2025) to strengthen academic collaborations with top Canadian institutions.
From June 23–25, Asst. Prof. Dr. Grichawat Lowatcharin, Associate Dean for Academic, Research, and Global Affairs of COLA KKU, attended BCIEW2025 in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. Organized by the BC Council for International Education, the event brought together representatives from leading universities worldwide, with coordination from the Embassy of Canada to Thailand to facilitate the participation of Thai institutions. BCIEW2025 served as a platform for international education experts to exchange knowledge, build networks, and promote sustainable educational practices between institutions in British Columbia and those around the world.
During the conference, Dr. Grichawat represented Khon Kaen University in a presentation titled “From Local Roots to Global Reach: Thailand’s Regional Universities as Engines of Innovation and Impact.” His presentation highlighted the history, role, and potential of Khon Kaen University as a key driver of socio-economic development in Northeastern Thailand, as well as its strategic contributions within the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Following BCIEW2025, Dr. Grichawat traveled to Vancouver to initiate discussions with leading Canadian academic institutions and organizations. At the University of British Columbia, he met with Prof. Allison Macfarlane, Director of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA), to explore academic and research collaborations, including student exchanges between SPPGA and COLA. At the British Columbia Institute of Technology, the discussions focused on developing joint research initiatives, professional training programs, and short-term student exchange opportunities in technology, engineering, and mass communication. At Simon Fraser University, he met Prof. Dr. Steeve Mongrain, Associate Dean for Research and International Affairs of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, to discuss Summer School programs and student mobility at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Further meetings included the Centre for Digital Media, where collaboration on digital media curriculum and joint student projects between Thai and Canadian students was discussed, and where Dr. Grichawat met Thai students enrolled in the Master of Digital Media program. At the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, he met Ms. Erin Williams, Program Director, to explore joint policy seminars and research projects on Thailand–Canada relations in the areas of economy and human security. Lastly, at Mitacs, discussions centered on opportunities for Khon Kaen University students to participate in Mitacs-funded short-term research programs and the possibility of future exchanges for Canadian researchers to visit Thailand.
Participation in BCIEW2025 and subsequent institutional visits underscore COLA KKU’s strong commitment to advancing international engagement through strategic partnerships with world-class Canadian universities. These efforts aim to establish long-term collaborations in academic programs, research, and student exchanges, thereby enhancing the capabilities of students and staff while reinforcing Khon Kaen University’s mission to drive systemic change at both national and regional levels with a global perspective.
