On 3 March 2026, at 14:00 hrs., the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Khon Kaen University hosted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony at the FA Theater to formalise academic cooperation in the promotion, conservation, and dissemination of knowledge in music and performing arts. The agreement was established between the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Khon Kaen University, and a network of Colleges of Dramatic Arts, including those in Suphanburi, Roi Et, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ang Thong, and Lopburi.
Associate Professor Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy at Khon Kaen University, stated that the ceremony was held to build an academic cooperation network for Thai arts and culture. This partnership aims to enhance teaching and learning capabilities, develop student skills, and facilitate the systematic exchange of knowledge and cultural resources, thereby ensuring the preservation and advancement of the nation’s cultural heritage for long-term stability and sustainability.
The ceremony began with a video presentation introducing the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Khon Kaen University. This was followed by the formal signing of the MOU. The signatories included Associate Professor Burin Plengdeesakul, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Khon Kaen University, and the directors of the five participating Colleges of Dramatic Arts. The signing and a commemorative group photograph symbolised a strong partnership founded on a shared commitment to perpetuating Thai cultural arts. On this occasion, Associate Professor Niyom Wongpongkham presented souvenirs to the representatives of the signatory institutions as a gesture of goodwill and a testament to their collective dedication to advancing the nation’s cultural mission.
Assistant Professor Burin Plengdeesakul, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, explained that the ceremony was held in conjunction with the project “Khon Performance Skills Showcase: Continuing the Royal Aspirations of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.” This project was managed by second-year students in the Bachelor of Fine and Applied Arts Programme in Performing Arts. Its purpose was to integrate classroom knowledge with practical application, develop performance skills and creativity, and instil a sense of responsibility for conserving and passing on the nation’s artistic and cultural heritage.
Following the signing ceremony, students from the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts and the network of dramatic arts colleges presented a Khon performance of the Ramakien, featuring the episode “Kol Phaya Marn” (The Deception of the Demon King). The performance showcased the exquisite artistry of the discipline, from the dance movements and music to the costumes and stage design, concretely demonstrating the students’ potential and the powerful synergy of the Thai cultural arts institutional network.
This collaboration marks a significant step in elevating the academic network for Thai dance and music. It creates a platform for inter-institutional learning and exchange, serving as a vital force for preserving, inheriting, and developing Thai arts and culture, ensuring their enduring value and elegance for generations to come.
