The Faculty of Engineering at Chulalongkorn University (Chula Engineering) and École Arts et Métiers LaSalle (ECAM LaSalle) proudly commemorate the 10th anniversary of their successful partnership, marking a decade of groundbreaking collaboration in engineering education.
Ms Lise Talbot-Barré, Counsellor for Culture and Cooperation at the French Embassy in Thailand, presided over the 10th Anniversary Ceremony alongside Prof Dr Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, and Mr Didier Desplanche, Rector of ECAM LaSalle, a leading French engineering school. Assoc Prof Dr Witaya Wannasuphoprasit, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, also welcomed honoured guests from academia, the public and private sectors, as well as representatives from the French business community, led by Patrice Pischedda, President of the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Since its inception in 2014, the collaboration between ECAM LaSalle and Chula Engineering has been a cornerstone of academic excellence and international cooperation. Over the past ten years, this partnership has achieved remarkable milestones, including cross-cultural student exchange programmes and innovative educational initiatives that have enriched the academic experience for both students and faculty.
Key Achievements of the Partnership:
- Student Exchanges and Internships: These programmes have provided students with invaluable international experience, equipping them with a global perspective and enhancing their professional prospects. More than 50 students from ECAM LaSalle France have studied at Chula Engineering over the past 10 years, while nearly 20 Thai students from Chula Engineering have studied at ECAM LaSalle.
- Shared Pedagogical Methodology and Practical Expertise: Faculty members from both institutions have engaged in fruitful exchanges of knowledge and teaching methodologies, alongside hands-on industry experience, fostering a richer learning environment and advancing engineering skills.
The partnership has not only advanced academic knowledge but also fostered deeper cultural understanding between Thailand and France. It has strengthened the bonds between the institutions, laying the groundwork for future collaborative efforts to address the evolving needs of the global engineering community.
Prof Dr Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, commented: "Today's Chula engineers are innovators, people who create new things. They are not just builders of houses and buildings, but engineers who create innovations to improve the quality of life for Thailand and the world. We are joining forces with ECAM LaSalle to create Global Future Leaders: we build people who understand the world. We do not only teach knowledge, but we impart Mastery and Wisdom. They will excel in both theory and practice, responding to the needs of industry and society.”
Statements from Key Figures:
Dr Witaya Wannasuphoprasit, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Chulalongkorn University, said: “The past decade has been an incredible journey of innovation and mutual growth. Our collaboration with ECAM LaSalle has set a high standard for international academic partnerships, and we are excited to continue building on this strong foundation. We will focus more on working with industries. These partnerships create a win-win scenario, where the university's research and innovation capabilities are aligned with the needs of the private sector. This helps advance industry while providing students and researchers with opportunities to work on impactful, real-world projects.”
Mr Didier Desplanche, Rector of ECAM LaSalle, added: “Our ten-year collaboration with Chulalongkorn Engineering has been a testament to the power of global cooperation in engineering education. We look forward to furthering our joint efforts and exploring new opportunities for research and student development. ECAM LaSalle emphasises learning and working with industries, so that our students can gain real-world experience with leading companies. We also focus on students creating innovations and gaining management skills. Examples of new collaborations include joint start-ups, innovation projects, consultancy, and problem-solving for industries.”
Mr Patrice Pischedda, President of the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce, remarked: “As a French Chamber in Thailand, we foster collaborations with Thai partners and institutions to help our members, mainly French companies based in Thailand, operate efficiently. One key factor is recruiting and training good employees, especially engineers. We encourage and support close collaborations and dialogues with academic institutions to ensure young talents are well-prepared and skilled for the real world.”
Looking Ahead:
The next milestone will be enhancing collaboration with industries, both Thai and French, in Thailand and France. These partnerships will focus on research, innovation, technology transfer, and addressing societal and industrial challenges. Key areas of collaboration will include R&D, technology transfer and innovation, internships and workforce development, consultancy and problem-solving, and joint laboratories and research centres.
