June 18, 2010
Vice-President Junichi Mori (Director General of the Organization for the Promotion of International Relations and Director of the International Center), along with Professor Eiji Nawata of the Graduate School of Agriculture and Associate Professor Kim Kwangmoon of the Graduate School of Engineering, visited Laos in order to participate in the Japan Education Fair for Lao students (held in June 19 in Vientiane, the capital of Laos), and utilizing this opportunity, personnel involved with the Kyoto University Network in Laos held a social gathering.
Kyoto University Network in Laos is an alumni organization comprising Lao and Japanese graduates of Kyoto University that are currently active in Laos. This organization aims to revitalize professional and private connections among the alumni to exchange various information as well as foster friendship, and to increase the visibility of Kyoto University in Laos. It was founded in November 2009, and therefore the organization is still small with 15 Lao and Japanese members, but it plans to expand its membership and activities in the future.
There were 14 participants in the social gathering, including Kyoto University Network in Laos members such as Dr. Thatheva Saphangthong (graduated in 2007 from the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies), the Kyoto University Network in Laos Chair, personnel from Kyoto University including Vice-President Mori, Kyoto University graduate students currently conducting investigative research in Laos, and members of the local investigation team of Professor Yasuyuki Kono of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies. Following the toast by Vice-President Mori, participants enjoyed local Lao cuisine as they socialized and exchanged opinions on how to realize the future development of alumni activities in Laos.
 Dr. Thatheva Saphangthong, the Kyoto University Network in Laos Chair |  Personnel participating in the social gathering |
 Vice-President Mori (front right) socializing with participants | |