On 16 February 2024, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs. Linda Hurley visited a research project under the Mekong-Australia Partnership “Citizen Science and Local Engagement on Climate and Water Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation: A Case Study of Ing River Basin” at the Som Saeng Forest area, Ban Pa Kha village, Pa Tan sub-district, Khun Tan district, Chiang Rai Province.
In this regard, Asst. Prof. Dr. Matchima Naradison, President of Mae Fah Luang University; Prof. Dr.Sujitra Wongkasemjitand, Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University; Asst. Prof. Dr. Apisom Inthalawan, lecturer of the School of Management and the project’s research team; as well as community villagers warmly welcomed the Governor-General and delegates from the Australian Embassy in Bangkok.
During the visit, Asst. Prof. Dr. Apisom Inthalawan reported progress on research projects and presented how the community is working with Oxfam and Mae Fah Luang University to reproduce native fish species which helps the local region adapt to climate chaneg and create new opportunities. In addition, the Governor-General and Her Excellency Mrs. Hurley released fish into the Ing River.
The project “Citizen Science and Local Engagement on Climate and Water Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation: A Case Study of Ing River Basin”, is implemented in partnership with Oxfam and research teams from four universities (Kasetsart University, Mae Fah Luang University, Mahasarakham Unievrsity and Ubon Ratchathani University). This three-and-a-half-year project aims to enhance community resilience to climate challenges and empower communities to better cope with the current disruptions caused by both human activities and climate change including supporting native Mekong fish breeding.
Altogether, Mae Fah Luang University will continue to work closely with the Mekong-Australia Partnership, university partners and local communities in supporting the region to address the challenges posed by climate change, natural disasters, and a changing environment.
