OHESDC Explores Expanded Collaboration with Iowa State University

On September 14, 2026, the Office of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C. (OHESDC), led by Mr. Thitidej Tularak, Minister Counsellor, and Dr. Siriporn Taokaew, Higher education and Science Project Consultant met with leaders of Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, Iowa, to explore expanded cooperation between Thailand and ISU.

The OHESDC delegation met with Dr. Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Associate Provost for Academic Programs, to discuss student and researcher exchanges, short-term programs, graduate research, joint research projects, and opportunities for Thai students to gain academic and practical experience in the United States. Discussions with Dr. Peter Dorhout, Vice President for Research, focused on Ames’ research and innovation ecosystem, including ISU, ISU Research Park, John Deere, and Ames National Laboratory. Potential areas for collaboration include precision and digital agriculture, automation, data analytics, food innovation, industrial biotechnology, and bio-based materials development.

OHESDC also met with Dr. Arun Somani, Senior Associate Dean and Distinguished Professor in the College of Engineering, to explore doctoral-level collaboration. The discussion included a possible future “3+1” Dual Ph.D. model, under which Thai students could conduct three years of study and research in Thailand before completing advanced research at ISU in their fourth year. This remains an initial concept subject to further discussion with relevant faculties and the ISU Graduate College. In addition, OHESDC exchanged views with Thai faculty members at ISU Prof. Adisak Sukul, Prof. Wallapak Tavanapong, and Assoc. Prof. Tichakorn Wongpiromsarn on strengthening academic and research networks in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, and robotics.

The visit represents an important step toward developing concrete Thailand–ISU cooperation in education, research, innovation, and industry engagement, particularly in areas aligned with Thailand’s higher education, science, research, and innovation priorities.