UKind Scholarship to the UK
Group photo of HUSO KKU student representatives participating in the UKind Scholarship program.
MOU Background and the Project
13 Students from HUSO KKU Participated in the Exchange Program “UKind Scholarship to the UK”
To Enhance Language Skills and International Exposure at The University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
On 8 November 2565, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures at the University of Leeds to build a collaborative network to facilitate exchanging knowledge, enhancing language skills, and facilitating international exposure for both students and staff.
Additionally, this program is closely aligned with faculty’s motto “KIND” which comprising as followed:
K (Knowledge): support students to achieve academic excellence through international academic exposure.
I (International): develop skills in language and multicultural communication, which represent the core objectives designed to prepare students for international professional careers.
N (Noble): cultivate moral and ethical conduct through cross-culturalism, while fostering responsibilities as representatives of both the nation and the university.
D (Digital): strengthen digital and technological awareness, facilitating both educational advancement and daily life within the contemporary digital landscape.
Faculty Strategic Plan
This program was held to align and support the 20-year national strategy (2018 - 2038) which aims to enhance students' abilities to suit the needs of the labor market in the 21st century. Which came down to language, communication, cross-cultural understanding, and including competition on the international stage with efficiency.
Furthermore, this initiative was a part of the strategic management plan of Khon Kaen University for the educational shift into an international institution. Especially in building academic collaboration networks and student exchange programs with world-class universities which strongly aligns with the vision of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Orientation
In this regard, Associate Professor Dr. Orathai Piayura, Dean, honored the event by presiding over the orientation and pre-departure preparation ceremony. Dean formally congratulated the student representatives who had been selected to participate in the exchange program at the University of Leeds. Furthermore, Dean also gave useful advice and important guidelines for preparation in various aspects both academically and in terms of living abroad. Not only that, the UK visa application process for students was also guided thoroughly by the International Affairs Section for a smooth process, and at the same time, students also got informed about details of the program and main goals of it in order to make the students understand clearly about being a representative of the university and focusing on improving their language skills alongside with international cultural learning. Which was to build on the experience gained and further develop oneself according to the national strategy of the faculty.
The faculty organized the Pre-Departure Orientation before their departure to participate in the program in the United Kingdom. The session was kindly supported by Lecturer Vanessa Moll and Hannah Thompson from English Corner, who served as speakers and facilitated the activities in preparing for the departure. The activity aimed to prepare students’ language and cultural adaptability for the exchange program. Moreover, the activity provided an opportunity for students to practice their language, while serving as a space for students to share their feelings, perspectives, and their expectations. This activity facilitated collaborative learning, mutual understanding, and communication skills, which will be beneficial for the exchange program.
Songkran Festival Celebration 2026 in Leeds
On 26 April 2026 Associate Professor Dr. Orathai Piayura, Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Khon Kaen University, together with 13 representative undergraduate students selected from 13 different majors to participate in the “UKind Scholarship to the UK” program, joined a volunteer activity to promote Thai culture internationally in “Songkran Festival celebration 2026” in Leeds, United Kingdom.
Volunteer activity to promote Thai culture internationally in “Songkran Festival celebration 2026” in Leeds, United Kingdom.
The event was honored by Mom Rajawongse Narisa Chakrabongse, who presided over the Songkran Festival Ceremony. The event was further attended by numerous distinguished guests, including Ms. Choltipa Vinyunavan, Consul at the Royal Thai Embassy in London, and Associate Professor Dr. Apisak Dhiravisit, Vice President of Executive and Organization Development Group, Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO). Furthermore, the delegation from the University of Leeds was comprised of Professor Emma Cayley, Head of the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies; Professor Graeme Gooday from the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies; and Professor Martin Seeger from Thai Studies, alongside the Khon Kaen University administrative team and faculty members.
The atmosphere at the event was very lively with around 300 participants including Thai residents and foreigners who are interested in Thai culture. The event comprised both participants from Leeds and nearby cities. The Songkran Festival held up grandly and played a crucial role in preserving and passing down such valued Thai cultural heritage. Furthermore, this festival also acted as a bridge connecting Thai residents in the United Kingdom and fostering cultural appreciation among international attendees interested in Thai heritage.
Furthermore, the representative students from the UKind program played an important role in the preparation and facilitation of the event. Their responsibilities included venue setup, welcoming guests, assisting with the religious ceremony, providing information to attendees, and arranging food and beverage services. This event helped the students learn to adapt their English for promoting Thai culture and encouraged intercultural communication in practice. Moreover, the activities served as an opportunity for students to improve their problem solving and teamwork skills. The event also served as a valuable experience in applying language and cultural knowledge to build international understanding.
Study at the University of Leeds
From 27 April 2026 to 8 May 2026, students were enrolled in the course “General English” at Language Centre, University of Leeds, United Kingdom. The course emphasized English language, specifically focusing on the competencies in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in an international academic environment, which enabled students to develop their language skills naturally alongside peers from diverse linguistic backgrounds, under the guidance of experienced native-speaker lecturers, preparing them for global communication in line to objectives of the program.
Field Trips in UK
Furthermore, the faculty provided an opportunity for students to enhance their learning and international living experiences through various practical perspectives. These included navigating the rail transportation network, engaging with local communities and markets, and participating in Thai cultural activities organized abroad.
The program organized field trips to broaden the comprehension of the architectural, historical, and cultural landscapes in United Kingdom major cities, including Manchester, Oxford, York, and London. Students also engaged in volunteer activities for Songkran Festival at Wat Buddharam Leeds, which served to strengthen ties with the Thai community in the United Kingdom.
Washback
Later, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences recognized the importance of conducting a review for sustainable development. Therefore, a Post-Exchange meeting was held to summarize the program outcome and gather feedback from the participating students and staff. The findings from the meeting will consequently inform the planning and development of future activities, to ensure academic intensity and diversity, it was expected to optimize future initiatives, ensuring the program effectively and tangibly achieve its objectives.
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