JMU Hosts International Delegation From Thailand

On February 18, the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) at JMU, in collaboration with Institute of International Education (IIE) and the U.S. Embassy Bangkok, hosted a reception for a Thai higher education delegation at the JMU Washington Center. The visit was part of IIE’s International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP), which seeks to expand academic opportunities, foster innovation, and strengthen institutional partnerships between the United States and Thailand.

The reception convened delegates from 15 Thai institutions, IIE leadership, representatives from 16 U.S. universities, and JMU faculty and staff for an evening of strategic dialogue and networking. Remarks were delivered by Minister Counselor Pattamawadee Uea-Areejit of the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C., IIE President Jason Czyz, and JMU Provost Bob Kolvoord, each underscoring the critical role of global partnerships in advancing innovation, workforce development, and educational access.

Following the Washington, D.C. program, five Thai delegates traveled to Harrisonburg to continue their engagement at JMU. The delegation included Dr. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, President of Siam University, and Supiengpitch Phornroekngam of the U.S. Embassy Bangkok. During their campus visit, the delegates met with JMU President Jim Schmidt, toured colleges, and engaged directly with faculty to explore new areas of collaboration.

One collaboration already underway is a nursing partnership between Prince of Songkla University and JMU. The institutions are integrating virtual reality (VR) technology to enhance dementia care training for nursing students in both countries. Supported in part by the Madison Trust, JMU nursing faculty Dr. Jamie Robinson and Dr. Hui Zhao recently met with PSU colleagues and provided VR headsets to expand implementation of the program in Thailand.