On Tuesday, July 26, 2022, President of Chulalongkorn University, Professor Bundhit Eue-arporn welcomed ambassadors, charge d’affaires, and a consul-general from seven Spanish speaking countries, which are Guatemala, Spain, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia, to discuss academic collaborations.  In addition to the regular student exchange programs, the virtual exchange program was suggested for those who are unable to physically join onsite programs.  The President also agreed to fully support the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language in both secondary and higher education levels. Such agreement is based on the fact that Spanish is one of the most spoken languages around the world, the number of Spanish majors in Thai universities is increasing, and several Thai schools have been offering Spanish as a foreign language class.  At the Faculty of Arts, Spanish is among the top four popular foreign languages.  The Spanish Section has close ties with Embassies of Spanish speaking countries, resulting in several colorful and vibrant collaborative activities each year. 

The Spanish speaking country delegates at the meeting included H.E. Álex Geiger from Chile, H.E. Ana María Prieto Abad from Colombia, H.E. Carlos Humberto Jiménez Licona from Guatemala, H.E. Cecilia Galarreta from Peru, H.E. Felipe de la Morena Casado from Spain, Mr. Gustavo Héctor Méndez, charge d’affaires from Argentina, and Ms. Atzimba Luna Becerril, Consul-General of Mexico. 

In welcoming the delegates, the President was joined by representatives from the Office of International Affairs and Global Networks, led by the Director, Dr. Ram Piyaket, Ph.D. and from the Faculty of Arts, led by Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Associate Professor Suradech Chotiudompant.  The faculty staff from the Faculty of Arts presented at the meeting included Associate Dean, Assistant Professor Nirada Chitrakara, Head of the Spanish Section, Assistant Professor Penpisa Srivoranart, and Director of the Center of Latin American Studies, Pasuree Luesakul.