15th Southeast Asia Network Forum held in Bangkok, Thailand (15 February 2019)

The 15th Southeast Asia Network Forum took place on 15 February at the Pathumwan Princess Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

Launched in 2015, the Forum is held in ASEAN countries by Kyoto University and local alumni with the aim of sharing the University's latest academic achievements with communities throughout the region, focusing on topics of local interest.

The 15th Southeast Asia Network Forum was hosted by Kyoto Union Club (KUC), Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology (TNI), King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), and Kyoto University's ASEAN Center and Unit of Kyoto Initiatives for Humanities and Social Sciences. Around 120 people attended from various universities and private companies in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Japan.

The forum opened with remarks from Dr Anchaleeporn W Lothongkum, president of KUC, and Dr Kayo Inaba, Kyoto University's executive vice-president for gender equality, international affairs, and public relations.

This was followed by four keynote speeches, delivered by: Professor Yasuo Deguchi of the Graduate School of Letters; Associate Professor Paritud Bhandhubanyong, acting dean of the Faculty of Logistics and Transportation Management, Panyapiwat Institute of Management; Associate Professor Wako Asato of the Graduate School of Letters; and Associate Professor Djitt Laowattana, director of the Institute of Field Robotics, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT). On the topic of "Social Transformation in Disruption Era", the keynote speakers as well as representatives from Myanmar and Laos engaged in an active interdisciplinary discussion.

A roundtable session was held in the afternoon to discuss future directions of collaboration across the ASEAN region. The participants reaffirmed the importance of maintaining Kyoto University's alumni networks not only within individual countries, but also for the ASEAN region as a whole. In fiscal year 2020, Burmese members are eager to hold a Southeast Asian Network Forum in Myanmar.