AMU Hosts Indo–Thai Academic and Cultural Exchange Programme to Strengthen International Ties

ALIGARH, October 21: The Sir Syed Foundation, in collaboration with the Cultural Education Centre (CEC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the Thai Students Association in India (Aligarh Branch) and the AMU Alumni Association of Thailand, organised the Indo–Thai Academic and Cultural Exchange Programme 2026 at the Cultural Hall, Maulana Azad Library, AMU. Held on the theme “ASEAN and Beyond: Building Academic and Cultural Bridges through Youth Engagement”, the programme brought together around 100 participants, including 25 Thai students of AMU, faculty members and academicians.

Dr. Bandit Aroman (Alig), Director of Security and Peace Management and Head of the Political Science Programme at Krirk University, Thailand, and General Secretary of the AMU Alumni Association of Thailand, delivered the keynote address. He highlighted the importance of educational partnerships, youth engagement and alumni networks in sustaining academic and cultural cooperation between India and Thailand.

Special Guest Mr. Boonserm Sukpinyo (Alig), Vice-President of the AMU Alumni Association of Thailand and former officer at Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, underscored the importance of alumni connections and professional interaction in strengthening bilateral ties.

Presiding over the programme, Prof. M. Rizwan Khan, Dean, Faculty of Arts, and Coordinator, CEC, emphasised that academic and cultural exchanges help build international understanding, strengthen institutional partnerships and create opportunities for collaborative learning and research.

Prof. Asfar Ali Khan, Officer on Special Duty to the Vice-Chancellor, AMU, graced as the Eminent Guest and stressed the value of international academic engagement in broadening intellectual perspectives and promoting knowledge-sharing.

Guests of Honour Prof. Syed Ali Nawaz Zaidi, Professor in the Department of Law, AMU, and former Adviser for International Students, and Mr. Faisal Nafis, Principal, STS School, Minto Circle, AMU, highlighted the importance of inclusive academic environments, cultural understanding, student development and mutual respect in preparing young people for an interconnected world.

Dr. Syed Kaleem Afrough Zaidi, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Sir Syed Foundation, delivered the welcome address, emphasising the role of education and youth engagement in building bridges between nations. Mr. Gufran Ahmad, mentor associated with the University Debate and Literary Club and invited speaker from CEC, AMU, highlighted the value of dialogue, critical thinking and student participation in developing leadership and an international outlook.

The programme featured the felicitation of 25 Thai students of AMU and office-bearers of the Sir Syed Foundation for their participation in academic and cultural initiatives. Those present included University Librarian Prof. Nishat Fatima, Ms. Nada Reen, an alumna from Thailand, Assistant University Librarian Dr. Munavvar, executive members of the AMU Alumni Association of Thailand and Mr. Syed Mudassir Ali Rizvi of STS School, along with faculty members, research scholars and members of the Thai student community.

Sir Syed Foundation office-bearers present included President Mr. Naved Alam, General Secretary Abu Daud, Vice-President Md. Kamran, and Secretaries Mohd. Riyaz, Hasan Mustafa, Adibur Rab, Shaheen Kalam, Ibrahim, Sarim and Affan. Student interns Zaafir, Ayaan, Sufyan and Ali, along with other Foundation members and volunteers, also attended.

Mr. Naved Alam proposed the vote of thanks. Ms. Yusra Zaidi, an MBA student at AMU, conducted the programme.