On June 12, 2025, Dr. Sompong Raksatham, Acting President of Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University (NSTRU), together with Asst. Prof. Dr. Somrak Rodcharoen, Vice President for Research and Information Technology, Asst. Prof. Dr. Surin Thongthot, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, deputy deans, representatives from the Office of Academic Resources and Information Technology, and staff from the Division of International Strategy and Relations, held a collaboration meeting with executives from Chengdu University, People’s Republic of China.
The Chengdu University delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Bai Yang, Dean of the College of Foreign Languages and Culture; Prof. Dr. Yang Xi, Deputy Dean of the College of Foreign Languages and Culture; Dr. Zhan Jingyi, Head of the International Department of the same college; and Ms. Jiratchaya Namwong, Lecturer in the Thai Studies Department.
Both universities discussed and agreed to strengthen academic and cultural cooperation in four key areas as follows:
- Research Collaboration — Joint research initiatives on the Southern Economic Corridor and local cultural capital, focusing on Nang Talung (shadow puppetry), Manora dance, Nielloware, and other unique cultural heritages of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Southern Thailand. Chengdu University will assign researchers from three units — the Thai Studies Institute, the Southeast Asian Cultural Center, and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Center — covering disciplines such as product design, linguistics, culture, and AI technology.
- Exchange Programs — Student and staff exchange between NSTRU and Chengdu University, including:
- Joint Chinese language programs (2+2 and 3+1)
- Student exchange programs
- Chinese language teacher training and internship programs at NSTRU Demonstration School
- Thai language faculty observation and co-teaching programs at Chengdu University
- Establishment of Chengdu University Collaboration Center — To serve as a hub for academic and cultural cooperation between the two institutions.
- MOA on Student Internship Program — Providing NSTRU students with opportunities to undertake internships and training programs at Chengdu University.
This collaboration aims to enhance mutual understanding, promote internationalization, and develop academic and cultural partnerships between the two universities for sustainable growth.
