Engineering CMU collaborated with Southwest Jiaotong University to Advance Railway Engineering Cooperation
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, the Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University (CMU), held an online meeting via ZOOM with Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU), Chengdu, Sichuan Province, P.R. China. The meeting focused on building a strong academic partnership in the field of civil engineering, with a particular emphasis on railway engineering.
The meeting was attended by executives and representatives from both institutions.
CMU was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thongchai Fongsamootr, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, along with 5 key members:
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatchawan Chaichana, Vice Dean
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Piyapong Wongmatar, Deputy Head of the Department of Civil Engineering
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peerapong Jitsangiam, Head of Chiang Mai University Advanced Railway Civil and Foundation Engineering Center (CMU RailCFC)
- Miss Usanee Phongsawaleesri, Head of Chiang Mai International Engineering School (CM-IES)
- Miss Natthanan Phanbunplook, International Relations Officer, CM-IES
From SWJTU, the delegation was led byAssoc. Prof. Xin Ling, Director of the Tianyou Railway Institute,
accompanied by Prof. Dai Zhiyong, representative from the Tianyou Railway Institute, and Prof. Celine Xia, Deputy Director of SWJTU.
As a key outcome of the discussion, both institutions plan to collaboratively develop integrated academic programs at two levels:
- A Bachelor's degree program in a 3+1 format, where students will study for 3 years at CMU and one year at SWJTU
- A Master's degree program in a 1+1 format, focusing on Civil Engineering in the areas of Railway or Infrastructure
In addition, the two parties discussed inviting railway engineering experts from SWJTU to deliver special lectures and collaborate on joint research projects with the Faculty of Engineering at CMU, aiming to generate shared knowledge and advance railway technologies.
This initial dialogue marks an important milestone in establishing a long-term academic and industrial collaboration in the railway sector between Thailand and China. It paves the way for Thai students to develop global-level knowledge and skills, while cultivating specialized professionals to effectively meet future labor market demands.
