Strengthening Research and Educational Ties with Thailand
2 September 2024
Dr Navaporn Snodin recently visited Thailand as part of her Global Partnerships Fund award. This visit focussed on deepening collaboration in research and education.
Newcastle University's Global Partnerships Fund provides colleagues with financial support to enhance collaboration between the University and global partner institutions.
Dr Snodin, lecturer in Cross-Cultural Communication, used the award funding to visit educational institutions across Thailand, aiming to:
- strengthen pre-existing relationships
- engage global audiences with her research
On 24 July 2025, she co-organised a workshop with Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine on “English Medium Instruction (EMI) for Thai Medical Education.”
Over 30 medical educators and students from international programmes gathered at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel to lay the groundwork for a collaborative research proposal on:
- internationalising medical education in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)
- preparing future doctors in the Global South for global health challenges
Discussions focussed on:
- language
- mobility
- intercultural competence
On 7 August 2025, Navaporn met colleagues at Mahidol University’s Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia (RILCA) to discuss the visiting professorship scheme. They also explored ways for Applied Linguistics and RILCA staff to work together on future research.
This interaction followed a visit from Mahidol University to Newcastle in February 2025. It marked an important step in strengthening institutional ties.
Dr Snodin also launched a new ‘Inclusion and Education’ project with Kasetsart and Mahasarakham Universities. This project focussed on co-developing a publication on LGBTQ student identity negotiation across diverse cultural and intercultural contexts. Additionally, she was invited as a speaker at Khon Kaen University’s Mixed Methods Research workshop held on 13–14 August. She trained academic staff and postgraduate students to support local research capacity.
These activities reflect Newcastle University’s and our School’s commitment to global engagement and interdisciplinary impact.