From 19 – 21 October 2024, a delegation from Mae Fah Luang University, including Asst. Prof. Dr.Kitiphong Khongphinitbunjong, Assistant to the Dean of School of Science; Dr. Sirirung Wongsakul from School of Agro-Industry; and Ms. Piraya Buddhasri, Administrative Officer from the Global Relations Division visited Indonesia to participate in an education fair and meet with representatives from partner universities.
MFU representatives participated in the “Talk Global Study Fair” organised by BMI in collaboration with the Times Higher Education at Pullman Jakarta Central Park. The fair aimed to connect prospective Indonesian students with universities worldwide. MFU representatives promoted information about the university’s study programmes, admission requirements, scholarship opportunities, and exchange programmes for participants which would help them find the right choice for their education and future careers. Over 30 universities and educational institutions from Australia, China, France, Hongkong, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Thailand, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States participated in the fair. The fair also served as a platform for the MFU delegation to meet with Indonesian alumni. The interaction with alumni provided valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of MFU graduates in Indonesia, contributing to prospective students' and parents' understanding of the university's facilities and student life.
Moreover, the MFU delegation visited Institute Pertanian Bogor (IPB) University and met with representatives from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, the School of Data Science, Mathematics, and Information, and the International Education Office led by Dr. Akhmad Faqih, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Indri Hapsari Fitriyani, Deputy Director of Planning and Development International Educations. MFU’s School of Agro-Industry and IPB’s Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology have a longstanding collaboration established in 2011. The active collaborative activities include student exchange programme in Food Science and Technology under the AIMS programme, visiting scholar programme, and joint research. The two institutions discussed developing a joint undergraduate programme (3+1) as the next step in their partnership. Additionally, the visit opened discussions for potential collaboration between MFU’s School of Science and IPB’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, the School of Data Science, Mathematics, and Information in student mobility, visiting scholar programme, research and joint degree programme.
The delegation also visited Universitas Indonesia (UI) to meet representatives from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences led by Dr. Lukmanda Evan Lubis, S.Si., M.Si., Manager of Collaboration, Venture and Alumni Relations and staff from the International Office led by Baiduri Widanarko, DDS, MOHS, Ph.D., Head of International Office. UI and MFU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2022. The discussion focused on further academic collaboration between UI’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and MFU’s School of Science in terms of joint research and the exchange of students, lecturers, and researchers both physically and virtually.
Altogether, the visit to Indonesia provided valuable opportunities for MFU to promote itself as an academic destination for Indonesian students. It also served to deepen existing collaborations with partner universities, ultimately fostering opportunities for students and academic staff from both countries to advance research excellence and broaden academic knowledge.