Saga University has established its fifth overseas alumni association in Thailand, and on December 17th, held the 14th Overseas Homecoming Day (HCD) in Bangkok for the first time in four years. From our university, Vice President (International Affairs) MISHIMA Nobuo and nine other faculty members, as well as three Japanese students studying in Thailand, participated. A total of 63 people attended, including guests from the Japanese Embassy in Thailand, Saga Prefecture, faculty members from five Thai universities with exchange agreements, and 25 former international students.

At the beginning of the HCD, a video message from President Kodama HIROAKI was introduced, expressing gratitude to the attendees and conveying hopes that the event would strengthen the bonds between the university and its former international students, and foster new connections between the university and Thailand.

Representing the guests, Secretary UCHIDA Takeshi from the Japanese Embassy in Thailand, UCHIDA　Shuhei, Director of the International Affairs Division of Saga Prefecture, and Vice President Pitcha from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, representing the university’s exchange agreement university, delivered congratulatory speeches on the establishment of the alumni association and the event. Vice President MISHIMA introduced the university’s new facilities, outstanding research achievements, and support initiatives for international students under the theme “Saga University Now and in the Future.” Associate Professor KOGA Hiroki, Professor KOJIMA Shoichi, Professor GOTO Ryutaro, Associate Professor TSUJITA Tadayuki , and Professor YOSHIGA Toyoshi from Saga University also expressed their expectations for further exchanges with Thailand.

Representing the Thai alumni association, President .Pawinee IAMTRAKUL, Vice President Suebsit Sarntisart, and Secretary Pakin Ananbhat expressed their desire to further deepen mutual cooperation among Thai alumni. All attendees danced the Loy Krathong dance, a traditional Thai dance, and enjoyed conversations with old friends and mentors. The event concluded with a group photo and a promise to meet again, ending on a high note.

Saga University has been enhancing its collaboration with overseas research institutions, mainly in Asia, to improve the quality of education and research by establishing itself as a research hub with rich internationality. To this end, we have been establishing overseas alumni associations and holding overseas HCDs to build and utilize human networks with former international students and academic exchange agreement universities. This has enabled high-quality, reciprocal international exchanges by accepting and dispatching new international students and researchers. The establishment of the Thai alumni association and the holding of the HCD are expected to further promote exchanges of students and researchers with Thai universities in the future.

Video message from President KODAMA　　　　Congratulatory address from First Secretary Uchida, Embassy of Japan in Thailand. Congratulatory address and introduction of Saga Prefecture by Mr. UCHIDA, Director, International Affairs Division, Saga Prefecture

Vice President MISHIMA introducing Saga University. Alumni association officers introducing their activities. Commemorative photo

　　　
Saga University students studying in Thailand. University monument reproduced at the venue