The 2024 “Hibah Dosen Berkarya” (DOKAR) program from the Civil Engineering Undergraduate Program at Universitas Brawijaya (UB) organized an academic visit to Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, on Monday, August 19, 2024. The visit included leaders from the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya (FTUB), and several leaders from the Department of Civil Engineering.

The faculty leaders were led by Prof. Ir. Hadi Suyono, ST, MT, Ph.D, IPU, ASEAN Eng, the Dean of FTUB. Also present at the event were the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Eng. Ir. Indradi Wijatmiko, ST, M.Eng (Prac), and Ir. Ismu Rini Dwi Ari, MT, Ph.D, Vice Dean for Finance, General Affairs, and Resources.

Representing the Department of Civil Engineering were Ir. Eko Andi Suryo, ST, MT, Ph.D, IPU, ASEAN Eng (Head of the Civil Engineering Department), Dr. Eng. Ir. Yatnanta Padma Devia, ST, MT (Head of the Master’s Program in Civil Engineering), Dr. Eng. Ir. Alwafi Pujiraharjo, ST, MT (Head of the Doctoral Program in Civil Engineering), and Ir. Achmad Wicaksono, M.Eng., Ph.D, IPU (Head of the Transportation Division).

During the visit, the delegation discussed various collaboration opportunities, including student exchange programs, summer programs, joint research, and the drafting of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).

This academic discussion was attended by several prominent academics from Chulalongkorn University, including Prof. Kasem Choocharukul, Ph.D (Head of the Department of Civil Engineering) with expertise in transportation, Assoc. Prof. Witaya Wannasuphoprasit, Ph.D (Dean of the Faculty of Engineering), and Assoc. Prof. Natt Leelawat, D.Eng. MBCI (Assistant Dean for Communication and International Affairs) with expertise in the Disaster and Risk Management Information System Research Unit.

This initiative is part of the Faculty of Engineering at Universitas Brawijaya’s efforts to strengthen international networks and support the university’s vision and mission to achieve World Class University status.

The program also supports the achievement of several Key Performance Indicators (IKU) at Universitas Brawijaya, particularly in terms of internationalization. One of these indicators is the involvement of lecturers in activities outside the campus, whether in teaching, research, or international community service.

After visiting Chulalongkorn University, the UB Faculty of Engineering delegation continued their agenda by visiting Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTK), Thailand, on the same day, engaging in academic discussions with several RMUTK leaders.

The meeting was attended by Asst. Prof. Dr. Sichol Chudjuarjeen (Vice President), Supaphorn Akkapin, Ph.D (Dean of International College), and Supot Rattanapun, Ph.D (Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, International College).

In the meeting with RMUTK, both parties agreed to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the UB Faculty of Engineering and RMUTK’s International College, Thailand. Additionally, they signed an Implementation of Arrangement (IA) for Academic Cooperation and International Community Service, which will serve as the foundation for future academic cooperation and international community service projects.

These MoA and IA agreements lay the groundwork for future collaborative programs between UB and RMUTK. Through this cooperation, it is expected that the UB Faculty of Engineering can enhance the quality of education and research at the international level, as well as contribute significantly to global community service.

This initiative not only supports UB’s internationalization targets but also strengthens inter-university relations in the Southeast Asian region. This aligns with UB’s ongoing efforts to expand international cooperation networks to achieve higher standards of education and research on the global stage.

Thus, this visit marks an important step in strengthening academic and research collaborations at the international level, while also supporting the professional development of lecturers through the Dosen Berkarya program. The success of this activity is also expected to have a positive impact on the development of education and research quality at Universitas Brawijaya.