MEGHALAYA, India – Director-General, Department of South Asian, Middle East, and African Affairs, Ms. Sasirit Tangkulrat, led the Thai delegation consisting of representatives of 12 Thai educational institutions and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation for the visit to the State of Meghalaya, India on 25 – 26 September 2024,. The purpose of the visit is to explore the potentials of Meghalaya and to promote educational cooperation between the two sides. In this regard, the Government of Meghalaya received the Thai delegation as the Guest of the State.
The delegation paid the courtesy call on Mr. C. H. Vijayashankar, Governor of Meghalaya, who hosted a breakfast reception at Raj Bhavan in honour of the Thai delegation. The delegation also paid the courtesy call on Mr. Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, and Mr. Rakkam A. Sangma, Minister of Education of Meghalaya. Both sides discussed on ways to enhance collaboration in various fields, particularly in education, short-term vocational training, tourism, agriculture, cultivation and utilization of herbal plants, preservation of local cultures and languages, and exchange of best practices between Thailand and Meghalaya.
The Thai delegation received a briefing from Asian Confluence Center, a leading think tank of the North Eastern Regional (NER) of India, and exchanged views on the importance of education, the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the roles of youth in startups. The Thai delegation also attended a networking dinner with representatives from the Asian Confluence Center and academic institutions in Meghalaya to establish educational networks and discuss on issues of mutual interest and potential collaborative initiatives.
The delegation visited North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), a prominent university in Meghalaya. Both sides agreed to continue their existing collaboration, particularly on the joint research on linkages in languages, arts and culture between Thailand and Meghalaya. They also agreed to further expand their cooperation in other areas of common interest such as technology, life sciences, social sciences, and linguistics. Moreover, the Thai delegation visited the Institute of Hotel Management, Shillong and discussed potential collaboration in tourism and hospitality sectors, including exchange programmes, short-term training courses, and scholarships for students from Meghalaya and other states in the NER. (MFA)
