NAIST Thailand Office was opened within the Kasetsart University's Faculty of Engineering, on March 9 in Bangkok, Thailand. It was created as our second overseas office following the establishment of NAIST Indonesia Office in Bogor, Indonesia in April last year.

Kasetsart University (KU), established in 1943, is a flagship research university in Thailand. NAIST has accepted 60 KU students since the conclusion of the academic exchange agreement with NAIST in March 2010. 26 of the students were admitted to degree programs, and they have obtained 14 Master's and 8 doctorate degrees to date. NAIST faculty have delivered lectures on advanced research to KU students, and carried out joint research with KU faculty that resulted in joint presentations at international conferences and joint papers in academic journals.

NAIST sent a delegation headed by President Dr. Naotake Ogasawara and Executive Director/Vice President Dr. Mikio Kataoka for the inaugural ceremony. Our executives were accompanied by Prof. Kenichi Matsumoto (GSIS), Ms. Rika Ogata, Head of International Affairs Department, and Mr. Tsutomu Hashida, Director of the Division for Global Education. The delegates were welcomed with kind hospitality by Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat, Acting President, Dr. Putchong Uthayopas, Acting Vice President (IT), Dr. Peerayuth Charnsethikul, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Pattara Leelaprute, Assistant Professor, and other KU faculty and staff. After the opening event, the NAIST delegation and KU representatives discussed the possible roles of the NAIST Thailand Office and prospects for further collaboration in research and higher education.

The NAIST Thailand Office is expected to serve as a central point in Asia for global collaboration in higher education and research such as recruiting international students, enhancing cooperation with partner universities, and strengthening networks with NAIST alumni.