​The first of ten Australian researchers has arrived in Thailand as part of the inaugural Australia-Thailand Young University Researchers’ Exchange Programme. Dr Obulisamy Kartik, from James Cook University, arrived in Bangkok in early October to begin working collaboratively with researchers at the Prince of Songkla University on the topic of ecology and environmental management.

The programme will allow ten early and mid-career researchers from both Thailand and Australia to partner with participant universities and gain insights into the research practices of each other’s countries and institutions in mutual research areas. A fundamental objective of the programme is to allow researchers an opportunity to acquire cultural understandings and develop networks to form long-term research and university partnerships.

The new exchange programme was jointly developed by the Australian Government Department of Education, Australia’s Innovative Research Universities (IRU) Group, and Thailand’s Office of the Higher Education Commission. Comprising IRU’s seven member universities, as well as nine Thai institutions, the initiative aims to boost science and research collaboration by bringing together future research leaders from both countries.

For more information, contact the Australian Embassy in Thailand or the Department of Education National Office in Australia.

Image: Dr Obulisamy Kartik from James Cook University (far right), with his Thai research partner Dr Warangkana Jutidamrongphan from Prince of Songkla University (far left), and Australian Embassy Director of Education Ms Watinee Kharnwong in Bangkok. (Source: Watinee Kharnwong)