The College of Public Affairs and Policy at Khon Kaen University establishes strategic academic and research partnerships with leading public administration associations and universities in South Korea.

Between 21 and 24 June 2026, Assistant Professor Grichawat Lowatcharin, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Academic, Research, and International Affairs of the College of Public Affairs and Policy (COPA), Khon Kaen University, represented the College at the 2026 KAPA International Conference in Busan, Republic of Korea.

During the conference, Assistant Professor Lowatcharin presented a research paper on the development of smart cities in Thailand. The presentation highlighted valuable lessons, key challenges, and policy implementation strategies for driving smart city initiatives within the context of developing nations, drawing significant interest from international scholars and experts in public administration and public policy.

Beyond the research presentation, Assistant Professor Lowatcharin engaged in bilateral discussions to establish academic collaborations with prominent organizations and higher education institutions in South Korea. These discussions focused on joint research initiatives, student and staff exchanges, and co-hosting future academic events. The key partnering institutions included:

• The Korean Association for Public Administration (KAPA)
• The Korean Association for Public Policy Studies (KAPS)
• The Korean Association for Local Government Studies (KALGS)
• Yonsei University and other leading South Korean higher education institutions.

This engagement marks a significant milestone for COPA KKU in expanding its international academic network. These activities support research development and innovation in public affairs and policy, whilst offering students and staff valuable opportunities to learn and collaborate with world-class academic networks.

COPA KKU remains dedicated to advancing its internationalisation strategy, generating impactful knowledge, developing modern public sector leaders, and fostering public service value through innovation, leadership, and global collaboration.