Opening Ceremony for AU-TUST Joint Research Institute for Modern Biological and Medical Technology

On August 10, 2022, The Opening Ceremony for AU-TUST Joint Research Institute for Modern Biological and Medical Technology was held simultaneously at Assumption University of Thailand and Tianjin University of Science and Technology in China.

H.E.Dr. Han Zhiqiang, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand, Rev. Bro. Bancha Saenghiran,f.s.g.,Ph.D, President-Rector Magnificus, Assumption University of Thailand, Prof. Lu Fuping, President of Tianjin University of Science and Technology, China, and Prof. Gao Faming, Vice President of Tianjin University of Science and Technology unveiled the plaque together.

It is also an honor for us to have Ms.Feng Junying, Education of Counselor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand, special guests, the top management of AU and TUST, Deans and Directors and representatives of lecturers and students attended the ceremony.

At this event, Rev. Bro. Bancha Saenghiran, President of Assumption University of Thailand has given a welcome and opening speech. He mentioned that, TUST & AU have good academic cooperation in terms of seminar on“Belt and Road”Biotechnology starting in 2018. Four seminars had been conducted so far. To step up the relationship between TUST & AU to another level and to encourage our two institutions in the areas of research, education and capacity building in biological and medical technology, the two institutions agree to set up a joint Research Institute for Modern Biological and Medical Technology. The initial stage of activities of the joint Institute consists of the exchange of students, the exchange of faculty members, research cooperation and joint publication in the two major areas. He wishes our cooperation and our effort in the form of Joint Institute will produce fruitful outcomes for the two institutions and also for our humanity.

Prof.Lu Fuping, President of Tianjin University of Science and Technology, has given a congratulatory speech. He mentioned that, today’s world is a shared community for all countries. To tackle with the challenges of the world, people of different countries should work together. It is hoped that the two universities could make contributions to the development of biological and medical technology of both Thailand and China by putting the platform of Joint Institute for Modern Biological and Medical Technology into full play to build a shared community of education, innovation and development, as well as bring us deeper understanding, international vision and inspiration.

H.E. Dr. Han Zhiqiang, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand, expressed a warm congratulation on the establishment of AU-TUST Joint Research Institute for Modern Biological and Medical Technology. He mentioned that, he was very happy to witness the in-depth cooperation in the field of biomedicine between Chinese and Thai universities. Biomedical technology is one of the most important innovative technologies in the 21st century and plays a very important role in prevention, diagnosis and medical treatment of human diseases, especially Since the operates of Covid-19 pandemic, biopharmaceutical has received much attention and has become one of the focus areas of a new round of scientific and technological revolution in the world. The Chinese government has always put people's health in a very priority of role and we have gradually formed a relatively complete biomedical innovation ecosystem. In 2022, the market size of China's biopharmaceutical industry will exceed 4 trillion yuan. The number of innovative medicines under research in China ranks second in the world, and it has also formed a comparative advantage in the field of genetic testing and vaccine. He convinced that the strong cooperation between AU&TUST will definitely boost the research and application of biomedicine in China and Thailand, and benefit the health of Chinese people and Thai people. In the end, the ambassador sincerely wished that the cooperation between AU&TUST will be successful and continue to achieve brilliant achievements.

After the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Han Zhiqiang delivered a keynote speech on "Steady Development in a Complex and Severe International Environment". The speech mainly focused on several aspects such as China, which is developing steadily in a complex and severe international environment, China-Thailand relations, and the relations between China and the international community. H.E. Dr. Han Zhiqiang encouraged Chinese and Thai students to continue to uphold the concept of "China and Thailand as one family" and actively strive to make due contributions to the friendly cooperation between the two countries. At the end of the lecture, H.E. Dr. Han Zhiqiang answered questions from Dr. Churdchai Cheowtirakul, Dean Emeritus, Mr.Vyacheslav Yavorskiy, Russian students of AU and Ms.Sita Kositpattana, Thai students of AU, about the pandemic Covid-19, China's economy and China-Thailand relations.

H.E. Dr. Han Zhiqiang and his entourage also visited the Confucius Institute at Assumption University of Thailand (CIAU), listened to the report of the Chinese and Thai directors and had a cordial conversation with the representatives of Chinese and Thai teachers and students. H.E. Dr. Han Zhiqiang fully affirmed the work achievements of CIAU. He hoped that CIAU could continue to strengthen its connotation construction and build more and better high-quality cooperation platforms like Joint Research Institute, to make greater contributions to deepening the friendship and cooperation between China and Thailand. Ms. KANYARAT RATANASAOVAPAK, the champion of the 21st "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for College Students in Thailand, gave a Chinese talent show. H.E. Dr. Han Zhiqiang encouraged the students of the CIAU to continue to work hard to learn Chinese well, and to make due contributions to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind while constantly improving their own value.

Edited by Ms. Xiong Minxuan

Photographed by Assumption University

Translated by Ms. Xiong Minxuan

Revised by Ms. Yang Hairong