On December 12, Vice President Jiang Yehua and KUST delegation participated in the 20th International Conference of the Greater Mekong Subregion Academic and Research Network (GMSARN) and the Joint Meeting of the 29th Council and Advisory Committee upon invitation. Together with more than 100 experts from 13 universities and research institutions across five countries—China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar.

At the council meeting, Jiang Yehua, on behalf of KUST, delivered a thematic address as a GMSARN council member university. He introduced KUST’s achievements and proposed initiatives for regional universities to strengthen joint talent cultivation, collaboratively build high-level scientific research and innovation platforms, focus on tackling common regional technical challenges, and promote the sharing and transformation of technological achievements. He also put forward a cooperative proposal to provide a "technology + skills training" for regional industrial upgrading.  

In accordance with the GMSARN cooperation rules and operational mechanisms, the 21st International Conference and the Joint Meeting of the 30th Council and Advisory Committee will return to Kunming, Yunnan, in 2026. KUST, as one of the earliest Chinese council members of GMSARN, will host the conference.

During the visit, the delegation attended the first meeting of the fifth council of the Confucius Institute at Souphanouvong University. The council engaged in in-depth discussions on the planning blueprint for enhancing the quality, efficiency, and high-quality development of the Confucius Institute. Both sides agreed to strengthen collaboration, aiming to establish the Confucius Institute as a key center for Chinese language education in northern Laos and a model institution for "Chinese language + vocational skills" education. Together, they strive to build a high-level model of educational cooperation that contributes to the construction of a China-Laos community with a shared future.

The delegation also witnessed the opening ceremony of Laos' first dual-degree undergraduate program in artificial intelligence in National Univeristy of Laos and Suphanouvong University as well.  

This visit marks an important initiative by KUST to contribute to Yunnan Province's efforts in cooperation and exchange with South and Southeast Asia. KUST has defined multi-level and broad-field cooperation pathways with several prestigious regional institutions, such as the Asian Institute of Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, etc., further enhancing its international influence in the region.

Translated by: MA Bingyu, Division of International Cooperation

Source: Division of International Cooperation

Issued by: Division of International Cooperation