สำนักงานวิเทศสัมพันธ์ สำนักงานอธิการบดี 2024/12/19 , ( 245 views)
On November 26, 2024, the Embassy of India in Thailand hosted ITEC Day 2024, a celebration of India's academic and economic initiatives, at the Marriott Marquis Queens Park Hotel, Bangkok. H.E. Nagesh Singh, Ambassador of India to Thailand, presided over the event, with General Nattapon Nakpanich, Deputy Minister of Defense, serving as the guest of honor.
During the ceremony, H.E. Nagesh Singh presented the Bharat Mitra Samman - Distinguished Alumni Award, a prestigious accolade bestowed by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), to Assistant Professor Dr. Piyanat Soikham, Assistant to the President for Organizational Communication and Social Engagement at Ubon Ratchathani University (UBU).
Dr. Piyanat, a recipient of the Indian Government’s Mekong Ganga Scholarship Scheme, earned his Master’s degree in Political Science from Osmania University, Hyderabad, India. Currently, he serves as a lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science and the Director of the India Studies Center at UBU, alongside his administrative role as Assistant to the President.
Dr. Piyanat has made remarkable contributions to strengthening Thailand-India relations through over 70 cultural and academic initiatives. One of his most notable achievements includes coordinating with the Embassy of India to temporarily bring sacred Buddhist relics from India to Ubon Ratchathani, including those of the Buddha and Arahants. This event drew over 900,000 visitors and generated an economic impact exceeding 1,500,000,000 THB within four days.
In addition to his cultural and academic efforts, Dr. Piyanat actively contributes to regional and international collaboration as a member of prominent policy think tank networks, including the BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks and the ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks. His leadership and dedication have been further recognized through his selection as a Young Leader by the Pacific Forum and his receipt of the ASEAN-India Youth Award in 2019 for fostering ASEAN-India relations.
The Bharat Mitra Samman - Distinguished Alumni Award is a highly esteemed honor awarded by ICCR to alumni who have demonstrated exceptional professional success or have significantly advanced understanding, goodwill, and friendship between India and their home countries. In 2023, only five individuals worldwide were granted this distinguished award, with Assistant Professor Dr. Piyanat Soikham being the sole recipient from Thailand.
English version by: Kanjana Manomai
Original (Thai) version by: Plern Wichaiwong
Photos by: Piyanat Soikham, Plern Wichaiwong
