A New Chapter Unfolds for China-Thailand Higher Education Cooperation

On the morning of February 2, 2026, the College of Aerospace and Civil Engineering of Harbin Engineering University (HEU) and the Faculty of Engineering of Mahidol University, Thailand, jointly hosted the "Symposium on Talent Cultivation and Scientific Research Cooperation" at HEU. Chaired by Wang Hongguang, Director of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the College of Aerospace and Civil Engineering. The event was attended by Mao Jize, Dean of the College of Aerospace and Civil Engineering of HEU, Wu Guohui, Vice Dean, Liu Shusheng, Vice Dean of the International College of HEU, and other faculty members. Chinese and Thai representatives conducted in-depth exchanges on topics such as international talent cultivation, collaboration on scientific research projects, and the mechanism for faculty and student exchanges. The two sides will work together to establish a long-term, stable, and pragmatic partnership, and jointly promote a new model of high-level international cooperation.

Professor Mao Jize, Dean of the College of Aerospace and Civil Engineering, stated in his welcome speech that the college has always adhered to the philosophy of open education and actively expanded channels for international exchanges. He pointed out that Mahidol University has achieved remarkable results in engineering education and scientific research innovation, and there is enormous potential for cooperation between the two sides. He expressed the expectation that the symposium would facilitate the implementation of substantive cooperation projects.

Professor Thanapat Wanichanon, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of Mahidol University, noted in his speech that educational cooperation between China and Thailand has become increasingly close in recent years. Mahidol University is willing to share resources and co-construct platforms with HEU, especially to carry out collaborative research in fields such as civil engineering, mechanics, and aerospace engineering, and jointly address global engineering challenges.

The College of Aerospace and Civil Engineering gave a systematic introduction to its historical development, disciplinary layout, scientific research achievements and international cooperation, with a focus on showcasing its teaching and research strengths in civil and environmental engineering, aerospace engineering and other fields. The Faculty of Engineering of Mahidol University shared its experience and achievements in the internationalization of engineering education and the integration of industry, academia and research. The two sides held detailed discussions on talent cultivation and scientific research cooperation, covering the following key aspects: exploring a joint training mechanism, promoting curriculum interoperability and credit recognition, and building a China-Thailand dual-campus training system; planning to launch various long-term and short-term student exchange programs, such as summer study tours and joint supervision of graduation design to enhance students' international vision and cross-cultural competence; advancing joint postgraduate training, supporting faculty from both sides to jointly supervise master and doctoral students, and promoting the collaborative cultivation of high-level talents.

Subsequently, in the presence of all attendees, representatives from both sides signed a student exchange agreement and a scientific research and education cooperation agreement. The agreements set out the rights and obligations of the two colleges in student exchanges, faculty visits, scientific research cooperation, curriculum co-construction and other areas, marking a new stage of structured and sustained cooperation.

After the symposium, the delegation from Mahidol University visited the Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Mechanics and Engineering Technology of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Xue Qichao, Deputy Director of the Experimental Center of the College of Aerospace and Civil Engineering, accompanied the delegation and provided detailed explanations, showcasing the college's achievements in experimental teaching and the construction of scientific research equipment, which were highly praised from the Thai side.

In the afternoon, Professor Thanapat Wanichanon delivered an inspiring academic lecture entitled FORMATION-KEEPING OF UNCERTAIN SATELLITES in the field of aerospace engineering at Conference Room 3067 of the College of Aerospace and Civil Engineering. Young faculty members and students of the college participated enthusiastically and engaged in lively discussions, demonstrating the great potential for cooperation between the two sides.

This exchange visit is another successful interaction following the ones in January 2024, January 2025, November 2025 and January 2026, signifying the continuous deepening and steady progress of cooperation between the two sides. The symposium yielded fruitful results and laid a solid foundation for the follow-up cooperation between the two colleges. The two sides agreed to establish a regular communication mechanism and set up a joint working group to implement the cooperation content item by item, committed to building a model for China-Thailand international engineering education cooperation. In the future, the two colleges will continue to work hand in hand to push their cooperation to new heights.