Serdang, 23 July 2025 — Building on a series of exchanges over the past year, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) welcomed a delegation from Chulalongkorn University for a courtesy meeting that signified both institutions’ commitment to sustained academic cooperation. Held at the Chancellery Putra Building and organised by the PUTRA International Centre (i-PUTRA), the session brought together key representatives to explore new avenues in research, mobility, and global visibility.

The delegation from Chulalongkorn University was led by Professor Dr. Parichart Sthapatianonda, Vice President (Academic Affairs), and included Associate Professor Dr. Ake Pattaratanakun (Branding Advisor), Associate Professor Dr. Sornet Areesophonpichet (Faculty of Education), Assistant Professor Dr. Jessada Salathong (Faculty of Communication Arts), Ms. Supawan Phiphitsombat (Head of International Affairs, Chulalongkorn University Communication Center), Ms. Thanita Wangwanitpan and Mr. Francis Ian Aquitania Chua (Public Relations Officers, CCC). Also accompanying the group were two media representatives: Mr. Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer at Kaosod English, and Ms. Jitsiree Thongnoi, Assistant News Editor at the Bangkok Post.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by PLC. Gs. Ts. Dr. Mohammad Mujaheed Hassan, Deputy Director of i-PUTRA and chairperson of the programme, who expressed his appreciation for the continued commitment shown by Chulalongkorn University in advancing regional higher education cooperation. Professor Dr. Parichart Sthapitanonda expressed Chulalongkorn University’s enthusiasm for building a stronger institutional relationship with UPM, especially in the areas of mobility programmes, research partnerships, and international outreach.

The open discussion session revealed a mutual interest in expanding opportunities for student exchanges, including match funding initiatives, and developing a shared platform for faculty engagement. Both institutions emphasised the importance of enhancing their roles in Southeast Asia’s higher education landscape, with Chulalongkorn University proposing to invite UPM faculty members as guest speakers at upcoming joint events.

Representing UPM were key academic and administrative leaders from various faculties and centres. These included Professor Dr. Zalilah Mohd Shariff, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies; Associate Professor Dr. Hazlina Abdul Halim, Dean of the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication; Associate Professor Dr. Dahlia Zawawi, Director of the Centre for Corporate Strategy and Relations; Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Amiruddin Abd Rahman, Deputy Director of the Research Management Centre (RMC); Associate Professor Dr. Sudesh Prabakharan, Deputy Director (Professional Development and Consultation) of the Centre for Industrial Relation and Network (CIRNET); and PLC. Gs. Ts. Dr. Mohammad Mujaheed Hassan, Deputy Director of i-PUTRA and programme chairperson. Also present were Dr. Mohd Faiq Abd Aziz, Deputy Dean (Research, Innovation and Funding), Faculty of Educational Studies; Mr. Muhammad Azim Khairul Amir, Head of the Global Engagement Section, i-PUTRA; Mr. Mohammad Syafiq Farhan Boo Omar Boo, Head of the Mobility Section, i-PUTRA; Mr. Amir Heiqal Mohd Rusli, Industries Relation and Extension Officer, CIRNET; and International Relations Global Officers Ms. Izzatul Akmal Zaaba, Ms. Farah Wahida Amran, and Mr. Muhammad Najkhan Mazlan, all from i-PUTRA.

This latest engagement builds upon a series of reciprocal visits between the two institutions over the past year. On July 16, 2024, a UPM delegation led by Vice Chancellor, Dato’ Professor Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah paid a courtesy visit to Chulalongkorn University to congratulate Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat on his appointment as Acting President. That visit also served as a platform to initiate discussions on academic collaboration, particularly involving their business schools.

Furthering these efforts, an Memorandum of Association (MoA) was signed on 17 August 2024 during a follow-up visit by Chulalongkorn University to UPM, aimed at facilitating the exchange of postgraduate students and academic staff, as well as strengthening research cooperation in biotechnology.

The courtesy meeting on 23 July marked yet another milestone in the evolving relationship between UPM and Chulalongkorn University, reinforcing both institutions’ shared commitment to internationalisation and academic excellence.

Date of Input: 24/07/2025 | Updated: 24/07/2025 | nurulshabila