KKU Public Administration Department Partners with CPR USM to Elevate ASEAN Public Policy and Sustainable Development Research to International Standards

28 August 2026
10:47

Khon Kaen University collaborated with Universiti Sains Malaysia to host a joint international symposium in Penang, advancing cross-border policy research and sustainable regional development in ASEAN.

The Public Administration Department, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University (KKU), in partnership with the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), officially convened the “2026 Joint International Symposium and Research Colloquium: Perspectives on Social, Economic, and Environmental Policies in Thailand–Malaysia”. The initiative aimed to drive policy-oriented research for regional sustainability in ASEAN. A delegation of faculty members from KKU’s Public Administration Department—led by Asst. Prof. Pornsan Piyanantisak, Ph.D., Asst. Prof. Rungarun Boonsayan, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Somnuek Panyasing, Ph.D., Mr Jackrit Kamudhamas, Dr Thanakom Wongboontham, Dr Pongmanut Deeod, and Dr Imron Sohsan—along with Thai and international doctoral candidates, attended the event in Penang State, Malaysia, from 22 to 25 August 2026.

The delegation received a warm welcome at the Centre for Policy Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, from Assoc. Prof. Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk, Director of CPR USM, and Assoc. Prof. Dr Sazlina Salleh, Deputy Director. They were joined by USM academic experts, including Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohammad Reevany Bustami, Assoc. Prof. Dr Chor Foon Tang, Assoc. Prof. Dr Goh Soo Khoon, Dr Dayang Haszelinna Abang Ali, Dr Illisriyani Ismail, and Dr Dina Miza Suhaimi.

Asst. Prof. Pornsan Piyanantisak, Ph.D., Chair of the Doctor of Philosophy Programme Committee in Public Administration at KKU, highlighted the strategic importance of this international gathering. She noted that the event marks the first formal academic collaboration between KKU’s Public Administration Department and CPR USM. USM stands as one of the region’s premier research universities, ranked 134th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, 5th worldwide in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2026 for its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and 1st globally for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

“Providing doctoral students the opportunity to present their dissertation progress alongside a leading policy research institution like CPR USM represents a crucial milestone in elevating KKU’s doctoral research standards to an international level,” stated Asst. Prof. Piyanantisak. “This initiative not only enhances academic depth through constructive feedback from international experts, but also enables faculty members and students to establish joint research networks and pursue international publications, ultimately delivering actionable policy recommendations for our shared region.”

Asst. Prof. Rungarun Boonsayan, Ph.D., Chair of the Bachelor of Public Administration Programme Committee at KKU, emphasised that Universiti Sains Malaysia is the sole institution in Malaysia granted APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) status by the Malaysian government. Furthermore, CPR is Malaysia’s oldest public policy research institute, established in 1974, and remains one of ASEAN’s premier policy research centers. This collaboration systematically enhances international public policy knowledge, skills, and understanding for both students and personnel, directly aligning with future ASEAN policy and sustainability frameworks.

“This project serves as a strategic springboard for sustainable long-term collaboration between KKU’s Public Administration Department and CPR USM across curriculum development, student and staff exchange and mobility, and international academic engagement,” added Asst. Prof. Boonsayan. “Integrating insights from Malaysia’s oldest policy research institute offers fresh perspectives on public, social, and environmental policy—essential components for nurturing KKU public administration students into the next generation of ASEAN leaders and scholars.”

The four-day programme featured key academic and cultural activities. On 23 August 2026, the delegation conducted field study visits across the UNESCO George Town World Heritage Site in Penang to examine urban heritage conservation policies and sustainable cultural tourism management. On 24 August 2026, the official academic panel and policy exchange commenced, featuring a roundtable discussion between faculty members and researchers to chart the framework for a Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement (MoU/MoA), joint international research projects, and personnel mobility. Simultaneously, the Doctoral Research Colloquium provided a platform for Ph.D. candidates to present their ongoing studies, receive critical evaluations from expert scholars of both institutions, and refine their work for publication in high-impact international journals.

This major milestone between KKU’s Public Administration Department and CPR USM strengthens academic capabilities and international research networks. It also establishes a strategic gateway to global academic partnerships, driving evidence-based policy proposals that address sustainable development challenges across ASEAN while delivering high-quality human capital and impactful research to society.