From Sep 15 to 18, a delegation led by Dr Charles E. Menifield, former dean of SPAA at Rutgers University (RU), USA, alongside Dean Dr Sirisak Laochankham and Vice-Dean Dr Grichawat Lowatcharin from the COPA at Khon Kaen University (KKU), Thailand, visited HNU-ASU International College (HAIC).

On Sep 15, three visiting scholars engaged in face-to-face discussions with students in a session themed “PhD Pathways & Research Conversation,” centering on application pathways, topic selection, and academic planning, which provided valuable guidance for those aspiring to pursue doctoral degrees.

Additionally, Dr Menifield conducted a training session on NASPAA accreditation for the faculty, focusing on topics such as accreditation standards, course evaluation, and improvement mechanisms, which provided essential insights for HAIC's NASPAA accreditation.

In the event themed “Program Showcase & Cross-Institutional Dialogue” on Sep 16, visiting scholars shared their academic projects, teaching features, and highlights of international cooperation with members of the PEACH lab, and engaged in pragmatic discussions on talent cultivation, curriculum development, and future cooperation.

On Sep 17, HAIC hosted a research seminar themed “Global Perspectives in Public Affairs Symposium,” where its faculty and students engaged in vibrant discussions with international scholars on topics such as public finance, local governance, and smart cities.

On Sep 18, HAIC’s leaders and faculty members held strategic meetings with the delegation from KKU and experts from RU, respectively. They exchanged ideas on visions for discipline development, joint research topics, and academic conferences, identifying feasible projects to strengthen long-term international partnerships.

The visit represented a significant step in HAIC's efforts to advance international education and expand collaborative networks with universities in the US and Thailand, laying a solid foundation for cultivating talents in the public administration discipline.