A Visit of Prof. Dr. Christian Hicks from Newcastle University

Prof. Dr. Christian Hicks from Newcastle University was received by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarintip Tantanee, President of Naresuan University during his official visit to the Centre for Operation Research and Industrial Applications (CORIA), Faculty of Engineering between 17 February to 15 March 2025.  Prof. Dr. Hicks is developing a joint research project with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pupong Pongcharoen, a staff member of Faculty of Engineering and also serves as a co-advisor for students’ theses, not to mention his role as a guest lecturer in academic courses and workshop during which time.  President Tantanee explained Prof. Dr. Hicks towards NU current directions of research and development of staff members.  Currently, there are grants for Staff Development Program for academic staff to conduct one year postdoctoral programs overseas and up to 3 month training at overseas institutions.  For supporting staff, the university focuses on trainings for English language development for up to 3 months at international institutions, which each supporting staff member is also expected to learn operation and management at the institution where he/she is studying to apply to his/her currently employed position.

Prof. Dr. Hicks suggested NU consider Newcastle University branch campuses located in Singapore (field of expertise is Engineering) and Malaysia (field of expertise is Medicine) as alternatives for NU lecturers who plan to join Staff Development Program.  A joint research proposal with Newcastle University was also mentioned; President Tantanee responded that this should be initially implemented within Naresuan University first, and the focus area would be Mapping of Primary Healthcare in Thailand which Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Business, Economics and Communications and Regional Center of Geo-Informatics and Space Technology (GISTNU) could get involved in.

The meeting took place on Friday, 7 March 2025 at 1.30 at Supan Kanlaya Room, Office of the President.