On August 21, Kanazawa University and SUN/SixERS (Six National Universities International Education and Research System) hosted the Opening Ceremony for SixERS ASEAN Platform (AP-SixERS) in Bangkok, Thailand.

This office is the third joint office established by SUN/SixERS, a consortium of six national universities, Chiba University, Niigata University, Kanazawa University, Okayama University, Nagasaki University and Kumamoto University, after the Asian Platform (Changchun, China) established in November 2014 and European Platform (Leiden, Netherland) established in August 2016. The purpose of the joint offices is to promote exchanges between the alliance and regions of the world.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Shigeki Kobayashi, Head of the Cultural Public Relations Department at the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, Executive Director of ASEAN University Network, and approximately 100 participants from government agencies, partner institutions in Thailand, and Japanese businesses located in Bangkok, and they celebrated the opening of the new office.

At the ceremony, President Koetsu Yamazaki of Kanazawa University offered his gratitude as the representative of the host, and Mr. Kobayashi, Head of the Cultural Public Relations Department at the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, offered his congratulations on behalf of the guests. Following their remarks, the affiliated participants cut the ribbon, and the Director of AP-SixERS, Prof. Yoshio Otani, Vice President for International Affairs at Kanazawa University, closed the ceremony with a few words about the upcoming utilization of the office. The ceremony is recognized as a memorial event of the 130th anniversary of Thailand-Japan friendship. We anticipate promotion of collaborations in the ASEAN region based on the academic and research exchanges between the two nations.

Afterward, there was a tour of KX Building where the office is, and the Memorial Party for the Opening Ceremony of AP-SixERS took place. The party began with a welcome speech from President Sakarindr Bhumiratana of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology-Thonburi which owns KX Building, followed by a toast by President Sugata Takahashi of Niigata University, introduction of SUN/SixERS, and warm messages from the honorable guests. Much hopes for AP-SixERS came together in the heart of Bangkok.