Khon Kaen University (KKU), one of National Chiayi University's sister schools in Thailand, sent six students from the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, to Taiwan to experience signature courses and cutting-edge research at NCYU from April 15th to 28th. The Office of International Affairs and College of Life Sciences organized a two-week professional internship in life sciences. A one-day tour of Chiayi was also arranged where they visited the Chiayi Municipal Museum and surrounding scenic spots for an in-depth cultural exploration of Chiayi. Coordinated by the Division of Extracurricular Activity, Office of Student Affairs, the participants interacted with members of NCYU’s outstanding student clubs to experience the rich and diverse campus life at NCYU.
Located in northeastern Thailand, KKU is one of the leading public universities in the region. With more than 36,000 teachers and students, the university ranks among the top universities in the country in terms of research and education. NCYU and KKU signed a cooperation memorandum to become sister universities in 2008. In 2019, the NCYU’s College of Agriculture and College of Life Sciences further strengthened exchanges with KKU and signed a cooperation memorandum with KKU’s Faculty of Science. Bilateral academic exchanges and student exchanges resumed after the pandemic. This year (2024), invited by teachers of NCYU’s College of Life Sciences, KKU sent outstanding students on a study tour to explore the signature courses and research at NCYU.
Arriving on April 15th, KKU students participated in the “Training Program for Interdisciplinary Talents of Precision Health” held at the College of Life Sciences beginning from April 16th. They participated in a rich spectrum of experiment courses taught by professional teachers from various fields in the College of Life Sciences, ranging from plant pathology and microbiology research, drug, microalgae cultivation and bivalve dissection, animal dissection and parasitic observation, food production and testing, cancer cell culture, animal nerve localization, to biological materials.
On April 20th, accompanied by NCYU's Thai students and College of Life Sciences students, they visited Chiayi Chenghuang Temple, Chiayi Municipal Museum, Hinoki Village, PineApple Hill and other attractions to learn more about Chiayi's local culture and industrial characteristics. On the 22nd, they had a social meeting with the Cloud Mountaineering Club and Chinese Music Club, where they enthusiastically discussed the languages, cultures, geographies, and foods of Taiwan and Thailand. NCYU students also introduced in English the history of the student clubs, beauty of Taiwan’s mountains, and tips for playing Chinese music. They also exchanged ideas on the school songs in a lively atmosphere.
KKU student Theerada Thongmee said that it was a fruitful trip where
they were able to try many new things, which made it even more worthwhile. Also
a student from KKU, Thanaporn Kongsomwang shared feedbacks from other team
members, saying that everyone was excited about this exchange trip. They would
like to thank NCYU’s faculty and students for their warm hospitality and
dedication in planning the program, which allowed them to explore the cultural
differences between Taiwan and Thailand. They were particularly impressed by
NCYU’s diverse eco-campus and soy sauce ice cream.
Photo 1: They participated in animal
dissection and parasite observation.
Photo 2: They visited the Chiayi Chenghuang
Temple, a national historic site, as part of their cultural visit.
Photo 3: Faculty and students from the
College of Life Sciences warmly welcomed visiting students from KKU.
Photo 4: The Cloud Mountaineering Club and
KKU’s delegation shared ideas on the beauty of Taiwan’s mountains and
mountaineering tips.
Photo 5: They visited the Chiayi Municipal
Museum to learn more about the local history and culture of Chiayi.