In August 2019, PSU continued the annual event underlying the strong collaboration with our Chinese partner universities, by organizing high-quality exchange programs for lecturers and students from four Chinese universities: South China Agricultural University (SCAU), Jiangxi University of Science and Technology (JXUST), Jiangxi Normal University (JXNU), and Guangdong University of Technology (GDUT).
In the Staff and Student Exchange Programs, Chinese delegates gained new knowledge and experience in their areas of expertise, at the PSU Faculties of Engineering, Natural Resources, Science and Technology, Communication Sciences, and Fine and Applied Arts. The event also offered excellent opportunities to discuss further collaboration between the universities. In addition, as a respite from the productive work, delegates were shown cultural highlights and locations of historic relevance such as temples and museums, in order to convey the multicultural aspect of life in the southern region of Thailand.
The other type of exchange under this initiative, the Cultural Exchange Program, was organized with three of the aforementioned universities. Visiting students have had the opportunity to learn about and practice key aspects of Thai culture, including Thai language, Thai boxing, traditional dances, and cooking Thai cuisine. The event culminated in a beautiful showcase of Chinese and Thai cultural performances at PSU Trang Campus.
On Hat Yai Campus, visiting students from GDUT and JXUST had the opportunity to take part in the opening performances of the annual ASEAN Night & International Food Festival, an event organized by the Dr. Thanat Khoman ASEAN Studies Center on 29 August. The festival also featured staff from the Confucius Institute, who set up a booth to demonstrate Chinese calligraphy and other aspects of Chinese culture. On the same day, PSU invited Ms. Jin Yilin, Vice Consul-General representing the Chinese Consul-General in Songkhla, to meet Chinese students studying at PSU.
These exchange programs have accomplished the challenging goal of fostering an increased cultural understanding and appreciation between our universities, in addition to promoting productive academic collaboration with our valuable partners. As a result, PSU is planning to continue these mutually beneficial programs with our partner universities in the future.
