[Bangkok, Thailand] – On the 2nd and 3rd of October 2023, NU FOUNTAIN participated in the ERASMUS+ Projects Cluster Meeting, hosted at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand. This high-profile event united leading academic and professional experts with a shared dedication to advancing education and fostering collaboration through ERASMUS+ projects. Participants from Laos, Vietnam, Brussels, and Thailand joined forces, totaling approximately 45 esteemed delegates.

The ERASMUS+ Cluster Meeting served as a pivotal platform for nurturing collaboration and strengthening networks among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across partner countries. The initiative, originating from the vision of Asst. Prof. Dr. Damrong Pipatwattanakul and his team in collaboration with the ERASMUS+ Team. NU FOUNTAIN enthusiastically participated, bringing their dedication to excellence and a commitment to collaborative initiatives. Participants from NU FOUNTAIN included Asst. Prof. Dr. Kumpon Subsomboon, Asst. Prof. Dr. Panu Buranajarukorn, Asst. Prof. Dr. Korakod Nusit, Dr. Orawan Apichayakul and Mr. Gen Long (Ph.D. student).

Key highlights of the meeting include NU FOUNTAIN’s engagement with the EU Delegation, where the university management had the honor of meeting with esteemed representatives including Ms. Laure Brachet, Head of the Political, Press, and Information Section; Mr. Emanuel Gerth, Project Officer; Ms. Khobkhul Inieam, Programme Officer for Cooperation; and Ms. Chaidarun Tippawan, Senior Expert. Additionally, the NU FOUNTAIN team actively participated in informative workshops encompassing EU scholarship and fellowship opportunities, Erasmus+ Mobility, and MSCA Fellowships.

During the event, a panel gathered good practices and collaboration ideas from the participants. By the end of the event, 15 good practices and 6 collaboration ideas had been agreed upon by the participants, all of which were related to their participation in the ERASMUS+ Programme. The 15 good practices encompassed various aspects, including Quality Control Work Package, Knowledge transfer from EU partners, Effective Work Package design, Fostering strong leadership,
Building a robust network, Conducting regular project meetings, Detailed project planning and communication, Ensuring the sustainability of the project, Capacity building within the team, Sharing knowledge and best practices, Demonstrating commitment and self-responsibility, Cultivating an open-minded and flexible approach, Creating a fun and productive working environment among partners, Facilitating learning from each other, and promoting efficient work strategies, and Initiating projects based on research results. The 6 collaboration ideas included Partnership development, Identifying common problems and proposing solutions, Exploring applications of Drones in agricultural practices, Creating a list of collaboration opportunities, Setting up communication groups for efficient interaction, and Implementing steps towards collaboration: Faculty to Faculty, University to University, Region to Region.

In conclusion, NU FOUNTAIN’s active participation at the ERASMUS+ Projects Cluster Meeting signifies our commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in higher education. The knowledge and insights gained from this event will be instrumental in enhancing our ongoing projects and exploring new opportunities for growth and collaboration. The implementation of the good practices and exploration of collaboration ideas, such as partnerships, problem-solving initiatives, and embracing innovative applications, will undoubtedly guide our future endeavors. These endeavors fuel our passion to create a better world through education.