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UNE to extend collaborations with Thai agricultural university

December 20, 2005

Dr Sornthep Thumwasorn and Dr Hans GraserAn academic from Thailand's top agricultural university has visited The University of New England to discuss opportunities to extend an already fruitful collaboration between the two institutions.

During his three-day visit Dr Sornthep Thumwasorn (pictured, left), Director of the Tropical Animal Genetic Unit at Kasetsart University, also looked in on the progress of several Thai PhD candidates studying animal science at UNE.

Dr Thumwasorn met with Dr Hans Graser (pictured, right), Director of UNE's Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), to develop plans for collaborations in bio-informatics and molecular genetics, and to seek AGBU's help to attract private sector investment in the Thai cattle industry.

Dr Thumwasorn said he was keen to take advantage of the Australia-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (signed last year) to attract Australian investment in Thailand, and to allay fear among Thai dairy farmers that the agreement would destroy their livelihoods.

“The FTA is a big issue for Thailand,” Dr Thumwasorn said. “Thai farmers are afraid that they cannot compete with the Australian cattle industry. We are looking for opportunities to leverage the FTA by seeking collaborations with Australian companies to support Thai farmers.”

Cooperative efforts between Kasetsart and UNE have received a further boost from Thailand's Royal Golden Jubilee Research Fund, which is paying for scholarships for a further two Thai academics to study at UNE next year, and a special government grant to develop collaborative research projects in bio-informatics and genetics.

Dr Thumwasorn said the grant, which is one of only two of its type to be offered by the Thai government, emphasised research projects with obvious industry applications.

“It is vital that we use our knowledge to benefit the industry,” Dr Thumwasorn said. “No longer can this knowledge stay on campus. It has to go out and help the Thai industry as a whole.”

For more information contact Dr Hans Graser on (02) 6773 3332 or Leon Braun (UNE Public Relations) on 6773 3771. A photo is available to accompany this story.

Posted by Leon Braun at December 20, 2005 09:44 AM