Indonesian Ambassador Makes Historic First Official Visit to KKU to Strengthen Educational and Research Ties

3 July 2026
14:48

The inaugural official visit aims to enhance student exchanges, joint research, and international partnerships between the university and Indonesian higher education institutions.

Khon Kaen University (KKU) officially welcomed His Excellency Mr. Hari Prabowo, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Thailand, along with a delegation from the Embassy, on the occasion of his inaugural official visit to the university. The visit focused on high-level discussions to expand cooperation in education, research, and student-staff exchanges, thereby strengthening academic ties with Indonesian higher education institutions, promoting human capital development, and advancing the university’s internationalisation.

The welcoming ceremony was hosted on 2 July 2026 at the Sarasin Meeting Room, located on the 2nd floor of the Sirikunakorn Building. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, led the university administration in extending a warm welcome to the delegation. The KKU representatives included Assoc. Prof. Nawarat Wara-aswapati, D.D.S., D.M.Sc., Vice President for International Affairs, alongside deans, faculty executives, the Director of the International Affairs Division, and Indonesian students currently studying at the university. The visit gave both parties an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen academic, research, and exchange programmes and build a lasting relationship. Associate Professor Panthongviriyakul stated that KKU has maintained active and continuous collaboration with Indonesian educational institutions across teaching, research, and personnel exchanges. Currently, the university holds 23 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Indonesian partners, which have facilitated more than 140 collaborative academic activities since 2013.
The President also highlighted that KKU prioritises global educational opportunities by consistently awarding the KKU GMS Scholarship to Indonesian students, with 280 recipients to date. He emphasised that the Ambassador’s visit represents a vital opportunity to extend this cooperation into advanced research, innovation, and talent development, ultimately strengthening the long-term bilateral relations between Thailand and Indonesia.

H.E. Mr. Hari Prabowo expressed his profound honour regarding his first visit to KKU and commended the warm hospitality shown by the university executives, faculty members, and the Indonesian student community. The Ambassador noted that an increasing number of Indonesian students are choosing to pursue higher education in Thailand, which reflects KKU’s excellent educational standards and strong international standing. He affirmed that the Embassy is fully prepared to support promotional initiatives to attract more Indonesian students to KKU, whilst also pushing forward a Visiting Scholar programme to foster mutual knowledge exchange and joint research.

“Thailand and Indonesia share close geographical, cultural, and long-standing historical ties,” the Ambassador stated. “Over the past years, the number of Indonesian students coming to study at Khon Kaen University has grown steadily. The graduates who complete their degrees from this institution successfully return home to apply their acquired knowledge and experiences towards national development across various fields. This outcome clearly demonstrates the strength and success of the educational cooperation between our two nations.”

This visit represents another milestone in KKU’s strategic mission to become a world-class research university. By building active collaborative networks with leading international institutions, the university continues to foster the exchange of knowledge, personnel, and students. This drives forward education, research, and innovation that benefit society at both the regional and international levels.