This activity follows the Memorandum of Understanding between APAG and Khon Kaen University, which was signed in May 2026 and formally exchanged on May 28, 2026, in Bangkok. The exchange took place under the witness of General Secretary and President To Lam and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul, during the official visit to Thailand by General Secretary, President To Lam, his spouse, and a high-level Vietnamese delegation from May 27 to 29, 2026. Under the MoU, both sides agreed to cooperate in education and executive training, scientific research, expert exchanges, resource sharing, and joint international academic events.

Participants from COPA included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirisak Laochankham, Dean; Dr. Grichawat Lowatcharin, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Research, and Foreign Affairs; and Ms. Kewaree Sangsawang, International Relations Officer. Representing APAG were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, Party Committee Secretary and President of the Academy, who chaired the session; Ms. Pham Thi Quynh Hoa, Acting Director of the Scientific Management and International Cooperation Department; Dr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Editor-in-Chief of the State Management Journal; Ms. Le Thi Tuyet, Vice Director of the Scientific Management and International Cooperation Department; along with officers in charge of cooperation with Thailand.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien emphasized that the working session was a key step in translating the commitments outlined in the MoU into concrete, practical programs with tangible outputs. He suggested that both institutions focus on three main areas: faculty and student exchanges, joint scientific research, and the organization of policy dialogue forums and international academic activities.

The President of the Academy noted that APAG possesses an experienced faculty with deep expertise in public governance, ready to participate in teaching doctoral programs and academic activities at COPA. APAG also looks forward to welcoming faculty and experts from Khon Kaen University to teach, conduct research, and exchange professional insights in Vietnam. Connecting programs in public governance, public policy, economics, administrative reform, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence will create a broader interdisciplinary academic space, fostering deeper mutual understanding of the development realities of both nations.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien warmly invited Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirisak Laochankham and scholars from Khon Kaen University to attend the Annual International Public Governance Forum, scheduled for October 5–7, 2026, in Hanoi, and extended an invitation to the Dean of COPA to chair a session at the forum.

The Academy also respectfully invited Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirisak Laochankham to consider joining the Editorial Board of the English-language edition of the State Management Journal, supporting the publication as it expands its international academic network and works toward inclusion in the Scopus citation index.

In response, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirisak Laochankham thanked APAG for proactively proposing these practical initiatives. He affirmed that the leadership of Khon Kaen University consistently values and encourages expanding ties with reputable educational institutions in the region. COPA highly appreciates APAG's proposals and believes they will serve as a strong foundation for a long-term partnership.

According to the Dean of COPA, both institutions share many common interests, particularly in public governance, administrative reform, public policy, digital transformation, and the application of artificial intelligence in public management. COPA currently offers master's and doctoral programs along with numerous course modules taught in English, and stands ready to host APAG faculty for teaching exchanges as well as send its own faculty to participate in academic activities at APAG. Both sides will continue to align on professional standards, instructional content, and appropriate coordination mechanisms.

COPA representatives emphasized that faculty and student exchanges serve not only educational objectives but also broaden cultural exchange, improve language proficiency, and enhance research skills. With an international student body, Khon Kaen University provides an ideal environment for short-term internships, student exchanges, and joint international research.

COPA is ready to welcome APAG students for internship programs, offering them opportunities to gain hands-on insights into public governance, interact with international professors, and build global academic networks.

Regarding joint activities, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirisak Laochankham confirmed that COPA will participate in the Annual International Public Governance Forum hosted by APAG, and will consider sending faculty members along with master's and doctoral students to present papers and exchange professional perspectives.

COPA also cordially invited APAG leadership and scholars to attend the International Public Affairs Forum on “Civil Service Reform in the Context of Global Power Shifts,” scheduled for November 18–20, 2026, in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Both sides highlighted this as an invaluable opportunity to share experiences in public sector reform, leadership capacity building, and emerging trends in national and local governance.

Discussing student cooperation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien warmly invited COPA representatives and students to visit and participate in academic exchanges at APAG’s Campus in Ho Chi Minh City. He suggested formulating a connection program for students majoring in economics, public administration, and interdisciplinary fields to deepen mutual understanding of the institutional, economic, cultural, and social landscapes of both countries.

In response, COPA representatives indicated they would arrange a visit to the Ho Chi Minh City Campus at a suitable time. COPA also shared details about an upcoming international academic program scheduled for September 2026 and invited APAG to send student delegates, noting that COPA plans to provide accommodation support for participating students during the event.

During the session, both sides agreed to establish a joint working group to maintain regular communication and develop concrete implementation plans. In the immediate term, both institutions will explore short-term student exchange programs (lasting two weeks to one month), faculty exchanges, joint scientific research, international conferences, and tailored executive training programs in administrative reform, public governance, local administration, digital transformation, and sustainable development.

Khon Kaen University is one of Thailand's key public universities. Established in 1964, it currently serves over 40,000 students. On June 26, 2026, the College of Local Administration at Khon Kaen University was officially renamed the College of Public Affairs and Policy (COPA), reflecting its expanded focus on training, research, and international collaboration in public affairs, public policy, leadership, sustainable development, and global public issues.

In closing, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien commended COPA’s open and constructive approach during the meeting. He expressed confidence that the partnership between the two institutions will continue to deepen, enhancing the quality of education and research, advancing internationalization, and strengthening ties between Vietnam and Thailand.