Activities

The Department of Production Engineering and Robotics, Faculty of Engineering, welcomed faculty members and 12 third-year students from Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech), Japan, led by Prof. Dr. Eiji Hayashi, for the International Collaborative PBL 2026 project from 8–16 September 2026. Coordinated by Assist. Prof. Dr. Nopparat Seemuang, Head of the Department of Production Engineering and Robotics, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Aran Blattler, Director of the Robotics and Automation Engineering Program, the project brought Thai and Japanese students together in mixed teams to design and build robots through Problem-Based Learning (PBL), using English as a common language to develop cross-cultural teamwork and promote international exchange.

Throughout the program, students took part in Robotics and AI workshops at the Robot Academy, learning about sensors, image processing, and robotic arm control, while also exploring KMUTNB’s award-winning robotics projects. Beyond the classroom, they experienced Thai culture through engaging in activities at the Music Club, followed by cultural excursions to the Grand Palace and Ayutthaya Historical Park. The program also included an industrial study visit to Yaskawa Electric (Thailand) Co., Ltd., where students gained insights into industrial robotics and the connection between engineering knowledge and real-world applications.

The program concluded with team presentations and the certificate ceremony. Starting in October 2026, Thai and Japanese students will continue working together online in five mixed teams to develop their robots, before KMUTNB students travel to Kyutech, Japan, from 17–23 January 2027 to assemble their robots and participate in the competition. Through this collaboration, students gain hands-on experience in robotics and AI while developing international teamwork skills, experiencing cultural exchange, and strengthening academic collaboration between Thailand and Japan.