OHESDC Explores Collaboration with Kansas State University in Agriculture, Water Management and Biosecurity

Mr. Thitidej Tularak, Minister Counsellor, together with Dr. Siriporn Taokaew, Higher Education and Science Project Consultant, Office of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C. (OHESDC), met with administrators and representatives of Kansas State University (K-State) on 16 September 2026 in Manhattan, Kansas. The meeting highlighted shared strengths between Kansas and Thailand in agriculture, food science, and veterinary medicine, with potential collaboration through K-State’s Office of International Programs and International Student and Scholar Services, particularly in student, researcher, faculty, and staff exchanges.

As a land-grant university, K-State is recognized for agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, biosecurity, and food systems. Its research areas include precision agriculture, sustainable production, water management, and irrigation. K-State also hosts the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Collaborating Centre for the Economics of Animal Health in the Americas Region. Discussions also covered K-State’s Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI), its connection with the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), and the K-State Rabies Laboratory, highlighting expertise in animal health, agricultural biosecurity, food safety, infectious diseases, and rabies testing. In addition, K-State’s College of Engineering offers further opportunities for cooperation in biological and agricultural engineering, and water and irrigation engineering. The delegation also met with Thai faculty members, staff, and students, including Associate Professor Vorrapan Chandee of the Department of Mathematics and Associate Professor Adulsak “Otto” Chanyakorn of the Department of Architecture and Director of Environmental Design Studies.