The opening ceremony for the Osaka-Mahidol International Office was held at Mahidol University’s Salaya Campus on Friday, 18 August 2023.

Mahidol University and Osaka University have had collaboration for more than 50 years, mainly in joint research. Osaka University’s ASEAN Campus Project at Mahidol University began in 2017, and in 2019, the Osaka-Mahidol International Office was opened at Osaka University. Under the ASEAN Campus Project, double degree programs as well as short-term education and research programs are being conducted at the Joint Campuses. Academic staff from various graduate schools of Mahidol University as well as administrative staff are actively collaborating at Osaka University’s International Office.

Most recently, Osaka University’s office opened in Mahidol University’s Office of the President building to further promote the partnership between the two universities.

The opening ceremony was attended by 21 members from Mahidol University including President Banchong Mahaisavariya and Vice President Nopraenue Sajjarax Dhirathiti, and 14 members from Osaka University including Executive Vice Presidents Manabu TANAKA and Beverley Anne YAMAMOTO.

On the same day as the ceremony, members of the two universities also had discussions on education and research initiatives for the future and visited the ASEAN Campuses within the Faculty of Liberal Arts, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Tropical Medicine.

Furthermore, the Osaka University ASEAN Center for Academic Initiatives in Asok will be moved to the Osaka-Mahidol International Office at Mahidol University. International collaboration with Thailand and the ASEAN region will be expanded from this new location.

With this ceremony, more progress in the collaboration between the universities is highly anticipated.