Chula and French IRD Strengthen Ties with New MOU for Sustainable Development Research 

His Excellency Mr. Jean-Claude Poimbœuf, French Ambassador to Thailand, hosted the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Chulalongkorn University, represented by Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, and the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), represented by Mr. Gilles Pecassou, Deputy Director of IRD. The signing took place on June 20, 2025, at the French Embassy in Thailand. 

This MOU aims to promote cooperation in research, training, and the development of regional academic networks. It also seeks to expand interdisciplinary research collaborations, strengthen the capacity of Thai scientists, facilitate researcher exchanges, and connect research knowledge to practical applications at both the community and policy levels. 

The partnership between Chulalongkorn University and IRD has been ongoing through various academic activities, including researcher and student exchanges, as well as seminars on environmental issues, biodiversity, and marine resources. The Faculty of Science and the Aquatic Resources Research Institute of Chulalongkorn University serve as the primary coordinator for these remarkable efforts. 

This MOU marks another significant milestone for Chulalongkorn University in broadening its international collaborations and reinforces the university’s role as an academic hub that drives sustainable regional and global transformation.