Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Gauhati University officials met with a high-level Thai delegation in Guwahati to forge stronger ties in education, research, and information technology. The Thai team arrived led by H.E. Mrs Urasa Mongkolnavin, the Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta opened the session by pointing to deep historical roots. He focused on the linguistic links between the Thai language and the ancient Tai-Ahom dialect. These ties create a bedrock for future cooperation. Mahanta also noted how Thailand works with India through groups like ASEAN, BIMSTEC, the East Asia Summit, the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, and IORA.
Urasa Mongkolnavin echoed the need for growth. She highlighted the scope for expanding the Thailand-India strategic partnership, particularly in education, tourism, culture, training, internships and academic exchange. Both sides discussed student exchange programs, shared research, and joint technology initiatives.
The meeting included Gauhati University Registrar Prof. Utpal Sharma and Academic Registrar Prof. Rajib Handique. Representatives from various Thai universities, university deans, department heads, and officials from the Centre for South East Asian Studies also attended. The event solidified a commitment to bridge gaps through better academic and institutional collaboration.
Updated at 23rd September 2026 at 6:00pm
The meeting also included the Secretary of University Classes, Ranjan Kumar Kakati, along with a broad turnout of faculty members and research scholars. Participants mapped out a strategy to develop long-term institutional links that go beyond basic exchange programs.
Vice-Chancellor Mahanta emphasized that the university is actively running specific initiatives to preserve the historical and linguistic heritage connecting the two regions. This focus serves as a primary driver for the current push toward deeper institutional cooperation.
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