The United States has launched a new academic flagship programme to boost education ties with Thailand.
The move was announced by Robert Godec, the US ambassador, during a press briefing on Tuesday at a US Independence Day reception, celebrating 248 years of independence and the 190th anniversary of US-Thailand ties.
He said the embassy has introduced an education initiative called the International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP) by partnering with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, as well as the Institute of International Education (IIE) as the implementor of IAPP Thailand.
IIE and the embassy selected 18 US and 29 Thai universities and colleges to participate in the IAPP to help create more student-and-faculty exchange programmes, joint research and academic collaboration between the two countries.
The IAPP will also assist participating institutions in drafting international education strategic plans, exploring partnerships with like-minded institutions, and creating frameworks to sustain and advance those partnerships.
Meanwhile, the ambassador also touched on the F-16 fighter jet proposal that the US made to the Thai government. He said the security partnership is important. The US is committed to supporting this issue with the government to modernise the air force.
"We think that the F-16 is an extraordinary aircraft and highly capable. We are in discussions with the government but I cannot go into any details," he said.
