Prof. Dr Lee and Mr. Songsak discussing on future collaborations and opportunities between Thailand and UCSI University.

Kuala Lumpur, 23 August, 2011 - Always eager to foster good relationships with neighbouring countries, UCSI University received its first official visit from Thailand. Mr Songsak Saichewa, the Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission for the Royal Thai Embassy in Malaysia visited the University with two other delegates, and were received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for International Relations and Postgraduate Studies, Professor Dr Lee Chai Buan. Also present during the meeting were UCSI University’s Associate Dean for the School of Music, Professor Dr P’ng Tean Hwa and the Associate Dean for the School of Nursing, Associate Professor Jeya Devi Coomarasamy. 

The meeting with the Royal Thai Embassy today reflects UCSI University’s commitment to its internationalisation initiatives, focusing efforts on building further strategic international smart partnerships with quality, leading educational and professional institutions, public and private research funding bodies, and other relevant organizations both in Malaysia and overseas, including Thailand. 

The meeting proved to be a productive one, with discussions to engage institutions of higher education and industries in Thailand with UCSI University. “We are looking towards establishing strategic international partnerships with leading institutions and industries in Thailand in the near future,” says Prof. Dr Lee. Following this first successful meeting, a second meeting is already planned for this coming November. 

Rich in culture and diversity, Thailand is home to almost 300 public and independent universities, and 50 private universities. Annually, close to 25,000 Thais study abroad.