Bangkok--8 Apr--Thammasat University
In 1991, the Ministry of University Affairs (Thailand) and the Department of Employment and Education and Training (Australia) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Educational and Research Cooperation.
The agreement to create reciprocal national studies centres - National Thai Studies Centre at
ANU, Canberra, and the Australian Studies Centre (ASC) at Kasetsart University, Bangkokwas made in recognition of a new phase in the educational relationship of Australia and Thailand. Under the authority of the Royal Thai Government, the ASC was thus created in 1994.
Sixteen years later, the ASC has undergone a ‘facelift’ as part of the Commission for Higher
Education’s push to encourage a better understanding of Thailand’s international partners amongst the Thai society.
The ASC has now relocated to its new host institution, Thammasat University, and alongside its new neighbours, the APEC Study Centre and the International Cooperation Studies Centre, will serve as a gateway to information about Australia in Thailand.
The central mission of the ASC is to support teaching and research about Australia; to provide a range of information services on Australia for the Thai community, and through research and knowledge sharing, to help to foster a spirit of collaboration, beneficial for both countries.
Planned activities of the new ASC include public lectures on various topics relating to Thailand-Australia relations, workshops series to prepare students for travelling to Australia and bulletin updates with news and information about Australia and upcoming events.
The ASC will serve as a networking body, connecting individuals with shared research interests and providing the Thai community with an extensive online database of information services through its website at www.aussiecenter.org
In acknowledging Thailand’s relationship with Australia as a national initiative, the ASC will also conduct its activities through a network of university partners from all over Thailand. An official launch and luncheon held on March 30 2010 at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus marked the official grand opening of the centre.
The event was honoured by guest speakers including Thammasat University Rector Prof Surapol Nitikraipot and the Australian Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Paul Grigson.
During his speech, His Excellency Mr Paul Grigson said the Centre and its universitypartners can play an important strategic role in further enhancing the harmonious political,economic and social relationship between Thailand and Australia.
The launch also provided an opportunity for Thammasat University and the Thai Ministry of
Foreign Affairs to officially recognize a Memorandum of Understanding in support of the
new Australian Studies Centre. This memorandum reflects the strong commitment of both
Thammasat and the MOFA to ensure the ASC continues to function as a powerhouse of
information for the Thai society.
For recently elected ASC Director Dr Suphat Supachalasai, an Australian university alumnus
with expertise in international trade, the launch provided a wonderful opportunity to both celebrate the grand opening of the new ASC at Thammasat University and to promote the new centre.
“Through public lectures, workshops, bulletin updates and joint research endeavours, the
ASC is a centre dedicated to academic research and teaching about Australia.” “Our website will provide an extensive portal to information for the Thai community, beneficial to Thai staff, students, government and business representatives and the media, placing them at the fingertips of the information they need about Australia.”
“We welcome anyone with an interest in Australia, from all sectors, to join our network and
benefit from our services.”
For Associate Professor Chinwanno Chulacheeb, Vice Rector for International Affairs at
Thammasat University, the centre will also be an important contact point for Thais and
Australians with common interests and concerns helping to foster strong academic relations
between the two countries.
Mr John Hancock, board member for the Australia-Thailand Institute which supports peopleto-
people interactions between Australians and Thais, was in attendance at the official launch
ceremony.
For Mr Hancock, the Australian Studies Centre is also of tremendous potential value to Thais
and Australians engaged in business and other interactions, offering a network of connections
between Thailand and Australia.
Australian Studies Centre membership is free and open to the general public. Join by visiting
aussiecenter.org
Media Contact
Ms Channoggan Veerakatidham and Ms Rachel McCarthy
Media Officers
The Australian Studies Centre, Bangkok
Tel: 02 564 3130
E-mail:
[email protected]