The 22nd Southeast Asia Network Forum, subtitled "Rediscovering the Lao Way of Thammasat Living: Local Wisdom for a Changing World", was held in Vientiane in Laos on 20 December 2025.
The forum is held in collaboration with local Kyoto University alumni associations, which comprise former international students and others with a connection to the University. This marks the 40th forum, including those held under its former title of the Southeast Asia Forum. This time, the forum was held as one of several commemorative events for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos. The forum was co-hosted by the Kyoto University Alumni Network in Laos, the National University of Laos (NUOL), and Kyoto University ASEAN Center. Fifty-six people attended, including alumni, government officials, and students.
The forum began with addresses by Dr Thatheva Saphangthong, chairperson of the Kyoto University Alumni Network in Laos, Professor Eiji Nawata, director of the ASEAN Center, and Professor Dr Dexanourath Seneduangdeth, president of NUOL. In the special lectures, following the opening speeches, Professor Yasuyuki Kono, vice-president for international strategy, gave a lecture on the development of Laos-related research at Kyoto University, focusing on agriculture and rural society. After that, Associate Professor Yasuyuki Kosaka (Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies) introduced examples of fieldwork on sustainable forest resource management in Laos and Japan.
Further lectures were then delivered by KyotoU alumni active in Laos. Dr Lim Boon Hock, a language trainer at the Lao Japan School and Sabpanya Bilingual School, discussed Chinese language education in Laos, Vice-Dean Phouvin Phousavanh of the Faculty of Agriculture at NUOL lectured on the utilization and conservation of freshwater fish resources in the Mekong River, and Dr Saphangthong, deputy director general of the Department of Land Administration and Management of the Laos Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (also chairperson of the Kyoto University Alumni Network in Laos), lectured on sustainable environmental and agricultural systems in Laos.
Lastly, Best Poster Awards were given to two of the forum's eight poster presentations by students and young researchers.
The forum provided an opportunity for active dialogue between Japanese and Laotian researchers who are pioneers in regional studies at Kyoto University, government officials, and young researchers currently conducting fieldwork in Laos. Furthermore, a study-abroad consultation desk was set up at the forum venue, so that Laotian students considering study at Kyoto University could consult with university staff.
After the forum, a meeting and social gathering was held to discuss the future development of alumni activities.
