The collaboration, formalised under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), aims to provide students and faculty with practical, comparative insights into public administration in the Thai–Lao context, strengthening academic ties across the Mekong Subregion.
KHON KAEN, THAILAND – On 12–13 March 2026, the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies at Khon Kaen University strengthened its academic ties with the National University of Laos by organising an academic exchange programme. The event was designed to provide students and faculty from both institutions with practical, real-world learning experiences beyond the classroom, fostering a comparative perspective on public administration within the Thai and Lao contexts and advancing tangible cooperation under their existing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
Led by Assistant Professor Dr. Phatthanan Taladsub, the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies facilitated this academic exchange between students and faculty of its Bachelor of Public Administration programme and their counterparts from the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, at the National University of Laos, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
The initiative was conducted within the framework of the MOA between the two institutions, focusing on developing students’ capabilities by moving beyond traditional classroom settings to engage in experiential learning in real-world environments. The programme aimed to build comparative knowledge and understanding of public administration and governance in both countries.
This activity aligns with Khon Kaen University’s vision to become a “World-Leading Research and Development University” and the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies’ vision of being “a leading faculty for multidisciplinary integration, creating opportunities and knowledge within the Greater Mekong Subregion.”
In line with the university’s internationalisation strategy, the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies has placed great emphasis on proactively establishing collaborations with educational institutions in the ASEAN region. These partnerships encompass teaching and learning, research, academic services, and joint innovation, all with the goal of producing graduates equipped with the competencies and skills required for a truly international professional environment.
The exchange provided comprehensive benefits to the students and faculty of both institutions. The success of this event marks a significant step towards ongoing academic activities and opens doors for future collaborations in various forms, such as joint research projects, faculty exchanges, and student development programmes at the Greater Mekong Subregion level.
This initiative clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies at Khon Kaen University to becoming an effective and sustainable academic hub that connects the ASEAN region.
