Duke Welcomes Thai Ambassador

Meeting highlights collaboration with Thailand

-By Charles Givens

October 14, 2024

Duke University hosted Ambassador Dr. Suriya Chindawongse of Thailand on October 10, 2024, to consider deepening ties between Duke and Thailand. The Ambassador met with key Duke faculty and administrators, including Mary Frances Luce, Interim Dean of Fuqua, Karen Courtney, Associate Dean of Fuqua, and Ambassador Patrick Duddy, Senior Advisor to the Office of Global Affairs. The group spoke to a range of potential collaborations, especially expanding educational opportunities for Thai students and leveraging Duke’s expertise to support Thailand’s sustainable development goals.

The meeting builds on Duke’s participation in the Institute of International Education’s IAPP Thailand Program, and looks forward to the Fuqua School of  Business’s upcoming Global Executive MBA residency in Bangkok.

In conversation with the Duke team, the Ambassador explored developing student exchange programs and building and supporting research collaborations. The group expressed potential for Duke researchers and students to work with peers in Thailand on global issues like air pollution and climate change.

Later in the day, Ambassador Chindawongse addressed a group at the Law School regarding Thailand’s role as the chair of the U.N. Legal Committee.