On August 23, 2024, the 6th Forum on China-Thailand Higher Education Cooperation, themed “Deepening High-Quality University Cooperation and Jointly Cultivating International Talent,” was held at the permanent venue of the China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week in Guizhou, China.
According to on-site reports, the forum was co-hosted by Jiangsu University, Guizhou University, Guiyang University, East & West International Education Group (EWIE), and the China-Thailand Higher Education Cooperation Alliance. It brought together more than 80 representatives from over 20 prestigious universities in China and Thailand. These participants were not only educators, but also ambassadors of cultural exchange and friendship.
The forum featured a thoughtfully designed and diverse agenda, including the University Presidents Forum, the Frontier Forum on Agricultural and Food Sciences, and the Youth Forum. These activities aimed to spark new ideas in educational innovation, research collaboration, and talent mobility, while exploring new models for the future of higher education cooperation. On the same day, a signing ceremony for China-Thailand higher education cooperation projects and the official launch of the China-Thailand University Youth Thousand-Student Exchange Initiative were successfully held. These milestones mark a new stage in China-Thailand collaboration and signal the potential for even more fruitful outcomes in the future.
In his speech, YANG Jun, Secretary-General of the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), noted that China and Thailand are close neighbors, and their friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, the two countries have carried out diverse and rich educational exchanges and cooperation. In 2022, practical cooperation accelerated in talent development, scientific research, and industry-education integration. This educational cooperation has fostered synergy among government, universities, industry, and enterprises, injecting new vitality into bilateral relations. The CEAIE places great importance on educational exchanges with Thailand. It has developed in-depth cooperation with the Thai Ministry of Education, universities, and educational institutions across primary, vocational, and higher education. As one of the ten ASEAN countries, Thailand has the highest number of institutions participating in the CEAIE’s vocational education programs and accounts for nearly 30% of schools in the China-ASEAN Thousand-Schools Partnership Initiative.
In her keynote speech titled “Deepening Cooperation, Creating the Future Together: Exploration and Outlook on China-Thailand University Cooperation,” LI Hong, Vice President of Jiangsu University, emphasized that such cooperation is of great significance. First, it enhances education quality and drives innovation. Thailand’s higher education system is mature and internationally oriented, making cooperation an opportunity to explore adaptive and modern educational models. Second, it helps cultivate talent with international vision and cross-cultural communication skills. In an era of globalization, domestic education resources alone are no longer sufficient. Through cooperation, students can gain diverse learning experiences, develop international competitiveness and innovation, and become high-quality professionals. Third, it facilitates research collaboration and technological innovation. Joint efforts can address scientific challenges, drive innovation, and contribute to the socio-economic development of both nations.
Li also stated that efforts will be made to strengthen the internationalization of the curriculum system, introduce high-quality educational resources from Thailand, and provide diversified learning experiences. Through joint training and dual-degree programs, student competitiveness will be enhanced. Establishing joint laboratories and R&D centers will enable shared and optimized research resources, while exploring online and distance education will help meet new challenges and opportunities.
Notably, the forum also launched the “China-Thailand University Youth Thousand-Student Exchange Initiative.” This initiative not only extends the friendship between the two countries but also reflects great expectations for future exchange and mutual learning among young students. It is believed that through this program, more young Chinese and Thai students will cross borders, learn from each other, grow together, and become strong bridges of friendship between the two nations.
Source: Guizhou Daily Sky Eye News