On 19 March 2008, Clin. Prof. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, President, Prof. Napatawn Banchuin, Vice President, Assoc. Prof. Churnrurtai Kanchanachitra, Vice President for Collaboration and Networking, and Assoc. Prof. Sansanee Chaiyaroj, Vice President for Research and Academic Affairs, met with representatives from Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), France, to discuss on continuation of research collaboration between the two institutes.

Mahidol University and IRD have actively collaborated in academic and research for over a decade. The initial areas of cooperation include vaccine development, viral diseases, and polymer science. With many achievements, a Memorandum of Understanding between Mahidol University and IRD was signed in April 2004 for a duration of 5 years. Recently, IRD in collaboration with the Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases have established a research unit designated “Multidisciplinary Laboratory on Vector-borne and Emerging Infectious Diseases”. This will enhance academic mobility between IRD scientists from France and Mahidol University staff as well as will foster new endeavours that cut across traditional academic boundaries.