On March 28, Umpiga Shummadtayar, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Architecture, Chiang Mai University (Thailand), visited Mayor Katsutoshi MATSUO of Kashima City as the acting representative of Rawiwan Oranratmanee, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture. The courtesy visit was attended by TOYODA, Director of Research & Community Cooperation Affairs, and Vice President MISHIMA from our university.

Chiang Mai University and our university have had an academic exchange agreement since 2005. As part of this collaboration, annual workshops are conducted in Kashima City, focusing on urban development that leverages historical environments. Additionally, since 2006, Kashima City and our university have entered into a mutual cooperation agreement, leading to the “Kashima Program,” a multidisciplinary research initiative aimed at addressing local challenges in Kashima City. During this visit, discussions were held to further enhance the exchange between academia, industry, and government.

During the courtesy visit, Director Toyoda introduced the Chiang Mai University delegation to Mayor MATSUO, expressing gratitude for the warm welcome. The discussion touched upon the “Kashima Program” and other educational and research projects between Kashima City and our university, emphasizing the expectation for continued growth in problem-solving and collaboration. Mayor MATSUO reciprocated the welcome and highlighted the potential for cross-border cooperation among academia, industry, and government to promote community development. Acting Dean Umpiga also expressed enthusiasm for Chiang Mai City’s visit to Kashima City, emphasizing the value of joint urban development efforts between Kashima and Chiang Mai.

This visit serves as an opportunity to further strengthen the exchange between Kashima City, Chiang Mai City, Chiang Mai University, and our university, contributing to regional development.