MFU Vice President Moderates Seminar on Thai-UK Transnational Education Partnerships

Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont, Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University, was invited to be a moderator at the seminar titled “Igniting Thailand’s Future: Transforming Higher Education and Future Talent through Thai-UK TNE Partnerships”. The seminar was organised by the British Council, in partnership with the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), on 20 July 2026 at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, Bangkok.

The event brought together UK experts, university leaders, researchers, and academics from both Thai and international institutions to explore ways to make international higher education more accessible through joint Thai-UK academic frameworks. 

Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont moderated a panel discussion on “Global Talent, Local Impact: The Thai-UK TNE Partnership.” The panelists included Eduardo Ramos, Head of Higher Education Systems & Internationalisation, British Council, UK; Prof. Dr. Yongyuth Yuthavong, Chairman of the KMUTT University Council and Senior Advisor to the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chinnapat Panwisawas from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queen Mary University of London; and Amarin Narkwichean M.D.,Ph.D. from the Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University. The speakers shared their experience in implementing Transnational Education (TNE) initiatives that focus on learners and higher education.

The Transnational Education (TNE) project—a cornerstone of the British Council and MHESI partnership—focuses on co-developing degree programmes, including Joint Degrees and Double Degrees, along with short courses and other collaborative frameworks. These programmes target strategic sectors critical to national development, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Electric Vehicles (EV), Semiconductors, Satellite Technologies, and Health & Wellness. The initiative is backed by the "Thailand-UK TNE Exploratory Grants 2026" scheme, offering funding of up to approximately 1.1 million Thai Baht per grant. Now in its second consecutive year, the grant opens doors for Thai students to access world-class education, laying the groundwork for a workforce tailored to future market demands.

MFU’s Participation highlights its active role in promoting higher education cooperation between Thailand and the UK, particularly in knowledge exchange and institutional capacity building. These efforts aim to equip learners with resilience, adaptability, and a global mindset to navigate global shifts and broaden their international horizons. This endeavour strongly aligns with the university’s mission of cultivating global citizens and advancing the internationalisation and sustainability of Thai higher education.