Guwahati: New avenues for academic and institutional cooperation between India and Thailand came under discussion at Gauhati University during an interaction with a senior Thai delegation on Tuesday.
The delegation was led by H.E. Mrs Urasa Mongkolnavin, Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Officials from Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of Thai universities were also part of the delegation. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs independently identifies Mongkolnavin as the Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs.
Welcoming the delegation, Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta highlighted the longstanding historical, cultural and linguistic connections between Thailand, India and Northeast India. He pointed particularly to the links between the Thai language and the ancient Tai-Ahom language, along with Gauhati University’s efforts to promote and preserve these connections.
The discussions explored several areas in which Gauhati University and Thai academic institutions could develop closer links. These included higher education, research, information technology, tourism, culture, training, internships and academic exchanges.
Student exchange programmes, cooperation among faculty members and researchers, internship opportunities and joint initiatives in higher education and information technology were among the areas discussed during the interaction. The meeting also focused on creating stronger institutional relationships between universities in India and Thailand.
Speaking during the interaction, Urasa Mongkolnavin highlighted the scope for expanding Thailand-India cooperation in education, tourism, culture, training and academic exchanges. She also pointed to opportunities for collaboration in information technology and higher education with Indian institutions, including Gauhati University.
The programme brought together senior university officials, representatives of Thai universities, faculty members, research scholars and officials associated with the Centre for South East Asian Studies at Gauhati University. Among those attending were Prof. Utpal Sharma, Registrar, and Prof. Rajib Handique, Academic Registrar, along with other university representatives.
The interaction provided a platform to explore practical opportunities for closer academic and research engagement between Gauhati University and institutions in Thailand. It also highlighted how the historical and cultural connections between Thailand, India and Northeast India could serve as a foundation for contemporary educational partnerships.
