King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) participated in the prestigious 3rd Japan-ASEAN Universities Exchange Meeting, held on August 22, 2026, at the Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo, Japan. Organized by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), this high-level forum brought together senior leaders from 20 Japanese universities and 16 leading institutions across 10 ASEAN countries to discuss deepening inter-university cooperation through talent circulation and co-creation. The full-day event, running from morning until evening, served as a vital platform for shaping long-term intellectual networks across the region.
KMUTT, represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chawin Chantharasenawong, Vice President for Internationalization, stood alongside Chulalongkorn University, represented by its President, Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, as the two sole representatives from Thailand at this significant regional gathering. Their participation highlighted Thailand’s pivotal role in regional academic and scientific cooperation, showcasing the readiness of Thai higher education institutions to act as key partners in global knowledge creation.
The exchange meeting commenced in the morning with structured, one-on-one sessions between university presidents and senior executives. Conducted at specialized meeting booths, these sessions allowed KMUTT to hold direct, productive discussions with multiple Japanese university partners, laying a strong foundation for future collaborations. Following a networking lunch, the official exchange meeting opened with remarks from JST President Hashimoto Kazuhito, who praised the energetic morning dialogues and emphasized the transition from traditional academic assistance to true partnerships in co-creation to address complex global challenges. Guest remarks were also delivered by Takeda Norimasa, Deputy Director-General of the Science and Technology Policy Bureau at Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), who spoke of the critical role universities play in resolving regional issues.
A keynote speech by Prof. Takada Jun-ichi from the Institute of Science Tokyo set the academic stage, focusing on Japan-ASEAN co-creation in research and talent development. In the afternoon, the university leaders split into roundtable discussion groups. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chawin participated in Group A, which was moderated by President Ohtake Naoto of the Institute of Science Tokyo, with De La Salle University President Bernard Oca serving as the commentator. In this forum, KMUTT explored new possibilities for international collaboration in research and human resource development.
During the roundtable, KMUTT highlighted its commitment to strengthening productive engagement with its Japanese partners and expanding cooperation into additional dimensions. The discussion focused on moving beyond traditional educational mobility to explore high-impact research collaborations, joint graduate supervision, and joint capacity-building initiatives. Senior leaders from both sides also discussed practical solutions to common administrative and financial challenges, aiming to transition from individual exchanges to sustainable institutional partnerships.
By participating in this exchange, KMUTT reinforces its long-standing connection with Japanese higher education and positions itself at the forefront of Japan-ASEAN co-creation. The university remains dedicated to nurturing next-generation global talent and advancing scientific research in partnership with Japan, paving the way for a more resilient and prosperous shared future.