From February 28 – March 3, 2013, PSU had the great honor of receiving seven distinguished visitors from Yokohama National University, Japan. The delegates, led by President Prof. Dr. Kunio Suzuki, were warmly welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chusak Limsakul, PSU President; Prof. Dr. Amornrat Phongdara, Vice President for International Affairs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wilaiwan Chotigeat, Dean of Faculty of Science; Asst. Prof. Dr. Sutham Niyomwas, Director of Research and Development Office; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ram Yamsaengsung, Assistant President for International Affairs.

The collaboration between PSU and YNU started in 1999 in the area of science, and the MOU at faculty level was signed in 2012. The objective of the visit was to promote cooperative research and exchange of staff and students between PSU and YNU. In order to develop PSU young academic staff, PSU plans to send them to study for their Ph.D. at YNU. Other possible collaborations discussed were co-advising Ph.D. students, and exchange of visiting professors.

Our guests also met and discussed with executives and researchers from the PSU Research and Development Office, as well as executives and researchers from the PSU Faculty of Science. They also had the chance to visit the Songkhla Lake Basin and sightseeing in Songkhla Province.