On 17 February 2026, H.E. Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Ambassador of Thailand to the United States, presided over the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) Reception hosted by the Office of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. The event was attended by over 100 AIEA Conference participants, from leading Educational Institutions, U.S. and Thai universities, and the media.

During his remarks, the Ambassador welcomed Dr. Paolo Zagola Melo, President of AIEA, along with other distinguished guests, highlighting the shared commitment of both nations to place education at the heart of their national agendas. At all levels, from schools to advanced university programs, education has been crucial in modernizing economies, promoting sustainable development, and cultivating informed citizens who contribute to society and nation-building. He pointed out that many leaders in government and private sector studied in the U.S., reflecting the longstanding educational ties between the two countries. Key priority areas identified to strengthen cooperation further include STEM, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, biotechnology, and semiconductor technologies. In conclusion, the Ambassador emphasized four essential factors for sustainable partnerships - “BEST”: Buy-In from educators, funders, and stakeholders; a shared commitment to Excellence; unwavering Scholarly Integrity; and a Transformative mindset to ensure education and research collaborations generate meaningful societal impact.