Prof. Dr. Surin Khomfoi, Vice President of NXPO, recently joined the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on educational and scientific cooperation between the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO) and University College Dublin (UCD), National University of Ireland, Dublin.

The MOU was signed by Dr. Chula Sukmanop, Secretary-General of EECO, and Prof. Dolores O’Riordan, Vice President for Global Engagement at UCD. Also present at the event were H.E. Mr. Pat Bourne, Ambassador of Ireland to Thailand, who delivered welcoming remarks, alongside university executives and representatives from partner organizations, including CMKL University and Kasetsart University.

Following the signing, a meeting was convened to discuss potential academic collaborations, with participation of representatives from Thai universities and organizations. The NXPO delegation included Ms. Panisa Harnpathananun, Director of the Higher Education Innovation and Future Skills Development Division, and Dr. Chanida Sansaard, Policy Specialist.

Discussions focused on areas of mutual interest such as sustainability, the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG), and the digital economy. UCD presented its institutional strengths and extensive global partnership network, noting its recent achievement as the No. 1 university in Ireland and one of the world’s Top 50 universities in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2025. UCD expressed particular interest in supporting five key industry clusters within the EEC: Medical and Health, Digital, Next-Generation Automotive, BCG, and Services.

UCD also affirmed its commitment to developing collaborative programs with Thai partners, identifying opportunities in areas such as workforce upskilling and reskilling aligned with industry needs in the EEC, research collaborations, and academic exchanges for both researchers and students. This partnership between EECO and UCD marks a significant milestone in advancing education, science, and digital innovation in the EEC. It also supports the development of a future-ready workforce for high-demand industries, enhancing Thailand’s global competitiveness.

Photo credit: EECO