On the morning of December 6th, 2017, a delegation from Thailand’s Royal Garuda School, including Principal Kun Ying, Director of Vocational Education Lola Long, Advisor to the Vocational Education Committee Suranate, and Assistant Minister of the International Department Wang Wenlong, visited our college. An exchange symposium was held in Conference Room 424 of the college’s administration building. Attending the symposium were Chen Zhihai, Deputy Secretary of the College Party Committee, Tan Hui, President of the Leshan City Association for International Friendly Exchanges, Yang Chengyi, Director of the Sister Cities Division, as well as heads and relevant staff from the International Cooperation Office, Academic Affairs Office, Tourism Department, and Department of Basic and Public Courses of our college. Also present were five exchange students from Thailand’s Royal Garuda School. The symposium was chaired by Huang Xiaoli, Director of the Party Office and International Cooperation Office.

During the symposium, Chen Zhihai extended a warm welcome to Principal Kun Ying and his delegation on behalf of the college. He reviewed the cooperation history between our college and several Thai universities, including the Royal Garuda School, and highlighted the fruitful achievements over the past seven years. He also introduced the overall situation of our college after moving to the new campus. Principal Kun Ying expressed his gratitude for the long-term care provided to the exchange students from the Royal Garuda School and introduced the school’s educational philosophy, academic system, and program characteristics. He expressed his desire to establish a sister school relationship with our college to elevate bilateral cooperation to a new level. Tan Hui, President of the Leshan City Association for International Friendly Exchanges, welcomed the Thai guests and wished both sides success in their cooperation.

Participants discussed and reached consensus on several cooperation projects, including mutual visits between university leaders, faculty exchanges, student exchange programs, joint research, and Sichuan-Thai culinary cooperation. Finally, both parties signed a memorandum of understanding.

Our college began cooperation with Thailand’s Royal Garuda School in 2011. Founded by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej and chaired by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Royal Garuda School offers four-year bachelor’s degree programs and other vocational training courses. Every year, the school sends 2-5 students to our college for a one-year exchange program. Currently, five exchange students from the Royal Garuda School are studying Chinese language and Sichuan cuisine at our college.