On January 11, 2024, the Faculty of Science at KKU warmly welcomed Professor Kazuhiko Maeda from the School of Science at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.
This marked Professor Maeda’s second visit to Khon Kaen University, with the primary purpose of delivering a special lecture and meeting with KKU’s and Faculty of Science’s team.
Professor Kazuhiko Maeda is a distinguished figure in the field of solar-driven photocatalysts for water splitting and CO2 reduction. His impactful research has been published in leading journals such as Nature, Nature Materials, J Am Chem Soc, and Angew Chem Int Ed. Professor Maeda’s outstanding contributions to the field have earned him numerous awards, including the Chemical Society of Japan Award for Young Chemists in 2013 and the 13th JSPS Prize. Additionally, he has consistently been recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher in Chemistry from 2018 to 2021. With an H Index of 85, he boasts 43,546 citations and has been cited in 24,976 documents.
In the morning, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM, Professor Maeda delivered a special lecture to students and lecturers at Vidyavibhasa Meeting Room 1, located in the Vidyavibhasa Building (SC09), Faculty of Science, KKU. The event saw an impressive turnout, with over 120 attendees, surpassing the online registration count of 88. The lecture focused on the consideration of how to write a high-impact paper, with specific case studies in mixed-anion photocatalysts. We appreciate that he has taken time from his busy schedule to visit our Faculty of Science and share his expertise with us that day.
Following the lecture, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the Faculty of Science team, led by Assoc. Prof. Rodjana Burakham, the Associate Dean for Research, and Assoc. Prof. Nithima Khaorapapong, a lecturer at the Chemistry Department and collaborator with Professor Maeda, had the opportunity to introduce Pro. Maeda to Professor Monchai Duangjinda, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, Professor Pewpan Maleewong, Assistant to the President for Research and Graduate Studies, and Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Assistant to the President for International Affairs, at the President’s building (Sirikunakorn), KKU. During this meeting, Professor Monchai introduced the research group’s reinvention project, and discussions revolved around the potential for collaboration in research, staff exchanges, and more. Scholarships and project funding were also suggested to facilitate collaboration. Professor Monchai concluded the meeting by presenting Professor Maeda with a token of appreciation.
Later in the afternoon, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Professor Maeda met with the management team of SCi-KKU, led by Assistant Dean for International Affairs and Public Communication, Dr. Sukhum Ruangchai, and the head of the Chemistry Department, Assoc. Prof. Chanokbhorn Phaosiri. The discussions focused on the potential for exchanging staff, students, and research in the near future. Plans were made to formalize this collaboration through an MOU, making exchanges between the two universities more streamlined and fruitful.
The Faculty of Science at KKU consistently welcomes professors, staff, and students from Tyoko Institute of Techonology as well as other international universities, aiming to strengthen collaboration and academic exchange between institutions. It is believed that fostering strong relationships with international institutions will lead to fruitful connections and internationalization among us.
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