Gauhati University officials and Thai delegation members during an interaction on expanding academic cooperation.

Gauhati University and a senior Thai delegation on Tuesday discussed expanding cooperation in higher education, research, information technology, culture, training and student exchange, the university said.The Thai delegation was led by Urasa Mongkolnavin, director-general, department of South Asian, Middle East and African affairs, ministry of foreign affairs of Thailand, and included officials and representatives of Thai universities.The discussions focused on possible student and faculty exchange programmes, research collaboration, internships, training and joint initiatives in IT and higher education.Gauhati University vice-chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta highlighted the historical, cultural and linguistic links between Thailand, India and the Northeast. He also referred to the connection between the Thai language and the ancient Tai-Ahom language.

“The historical, cultural and linguistic connections between Thailand, India and particularly the North-East are a valuable resource. There is considerable potential to strengthen these ties through academic and institutional cooperation,” Mahanta said.Mongkolnavin highlighted the scope for greater Thailand-India cooperation in education, tourism, culture, training, internships and academic exchange.“There are significant opportunities to further expand cooperation between India and Thailand in education, tourism, culture, training, internships and academic exchange,” she said.The interaction also covered institutional links between universities in the two countries and opportunities for students, teachers and researchers.