Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced (KUIAS)

          Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced Studies (KUIAS) was established on October 30, 2009, following the resolution of the Kasetsart University Council at its 10/2009 meeting on October 26, 2009. KUIAS was set up as an internal unit of Kasetsart University, with a status equivalent to a faculty, and without dividing administrative sections, to support the National Research University Project (NRU) since 2010. It comprises four Advanced Studies Centers, responsible for implementing Targeted Research Initiatives. Each center includes research centers and/or specialized research units that operate as joint research teams between departments (Inter-Department/Inter-Faculty), sharing resources such as buildings, facilities, equipment, and human resources to achieve maximum efficiency. KUIAS features a graduate research assistantship system, a post-doctoral research fellowship system, and research associates, driving the NRU Project similar to leading research universities worldwide. The institution has a robust and efficient intellectual property management system, bringing comprehensive benefits to the country and its people in economic, social, and community aspects. Moreover, it also takes into account the creation of work based on actions that maximize benefits for both the organization and society. This includes generating adequate returns, utilizing resources efficiently, and producing high-quality creative work that can be practically applied. The initiative fosters job creation and the production of goods and services that meet societal demands. The National Research University Development Project was implemented during the fiscal years 2009-2016. Meanwhile, KUIAS continues to operate, monitor outcomes, and actively support the pursuit of external funding sources.

       In 2021, to align with the government's policy on implementing the Reinventing University Project, a meeting was held between the executives of KUIAS and the Director of Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute. (KURDI), chaired by the President, to discuss the direction for establishing research operational units that will support the future development of research. This aligns with Kasetsart University's 2027 vision: "A world-class university of learning, research, and innovation for sustainable development based on the science of the land." This focus to enhance and elevate the university's potential and capabilities in agriculture, food, science, society, and environment towards becoming a world-class university. The creation of a platform for research and innovation through collaboration between capable and consistent units which effect the university's administrative structure but mainly utilize existing departments and resources. This includes shared use of facilities, equipment, and personnel to collectively produce university research as a whole.

        KUIAS organized a seminar chaired by the president to gather suggestions for restructuring the Institute with the participation of the KUIAS Executive Committee, the directors of centers, and other relevant parties. A consensus was reached to restructure the internal administration of the Institute by transferring relevant centers to be under KUIAS, adjusting their roles and structures, and merging centers with similar missions and operations. This aims to make KUIAS an organization capable of driving research more comprehensively and efficiently across various fields. Furthermore, this restructuring aims to set the direction for units responsible for driving research and innovation through collaboration and systematic, continuous operations. This will enable the production of comprehensive research outcomes and the development of researcher under the overall management of KUIAS.

        On January 31, 2022, the restructuring of KUIAS was approved by the Kasetsart University Council meeting this restructuring involved merging the Kasetsart University Nanotechnology Center with the Center for Advanced Studies in Nanotechnology for Chemical, Food, and Agricultural Industries. Restructuring the Biodiversity Center, Kasetsart University (BDCKU). A new center, the Omics Center for Agriculture, Bioresources, Food and Health, Kasetsart University (OmiKU), was established under the Institute's operations. Furthermore, centers previously under the The Office of the University, such as the Network of Excellence Center, the Center of Thai-French Cooperation on Higher Education and Research and the National Agricultural Biotechnology Center, were transferred to be managed under KUIAS. This realignment ensures that the centers’ missions and operations are appropriately managed. Consequently, the restructuring increased the number of centers under KUIAS from 4 to 9.

         Subsequently, the Kasetsart University Institute for Advanced Studies (KUIAS) underwent a second restructuring following the resolution of the Kasetsart University Council approved on May 29, 2023. This restructuring involved establishing two new centers to ensure the Institute has specialized centers covering more areas. This allows for greater support for diverse research funding in agriculture, food, science, technology, as well as the humanities and social sciences. As a result, this restructuring increased the number of centers under KUIAS to a total of 11 centers, as follows: