BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Defense and Chulalongkorn University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic collaboration, promote research, and enhance national security capabilities. The agreement aligns educational development with defense readiness and supports long-term personnel development.
According to Ministry of Defence Spokesperson Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, Minister of Defense Gen Natthaphon Narkpanich presided over and witnessed the signing ceremony on November 3 at the university. The MoU, titled “Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Cooperation in the Development of Education, Research, National Security, and Defense Capability,” will apply to personnel and military officers from both the Ministry of Defense and Chulalongkorn University.
The agreement was signed by Gen Tharapong Malakam, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, and Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University. The signing was witnessed by the Dean of the Graduate School of Chulalongkorn University, the Chief of Defense Forces, and the Chiefs of Staff of the Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy, and Royal Thai Air Force.
The cooperation focuses on six key areas:
1) Supporting research and innovation for national defense and security.
2) Enhancing security and defense management.
3) Developing the academic and operational capabilities of personnel from both institutions.
4) Establishing networks for exchanging knowledge and experience.
5) Sharing educational resources, teaching materials, and library access.
6) Promoting the transition toward a volunteer-based military service system while supporting simultaneous academic and military training.
General Natthaphon emphasized that this partnership represents an important step in integrating government and academic expertise to strengthen the country’s defense knowledge base and strategic readiness. He noted that the cooperation will enhance the military’s capacity to respond to evolving security challenges and ensure the sustainable development of national defense capability. (NNT)
