Luxembourg supported legal collaboration between Laos and Thailand

In an inspiring display of regional academic solidarity, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg — through its Rule of law, access to justice, and good governance (ROLAG) programme, implemented by LuxDev — has supported the formation of a pioneering partnership between Champasak University in Laos and Ubon Ratchathani University (UBU) in Thailand. This collaboration is more than a formal academic agreement; it is a testament to the growing commitment to shared learning, joint research, and capacity building that transcends borders in the Mekong region.
 

From 16 to 18 July 2025, a high-level delegation from Champasak University, led by Mrs. Phatsany PHOUVANH, dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration (FLA), embarked on a significant academic mission to UBU. Accompanied by ten promising researchers, the team was warmly welcomed by senior Thai academics, including Dr. Siriporn JANTANASAKULWONG, dean of the Faculty of Political Science, and Mr. Saharat NOTAYAH, dean of the Faculty of Law.

The visit took place at UBU’s Warinchamrap campus — one of Thailand’s largest and most respected higher education institutions, providing a fitting venue for a partnership aimed at deepening cross-border collaboration in legal and governance education.
 

The first day set the tone for a deeply engaging academic exchange. The FLA delegation held strategic dialogues with UBU’s Faculty of Public Administration, exploring opportunities for joint research and academic exchange. UBU representatives proposed ambitious initiatives, including efforts to secure external research funding to sustain collaborative projects.

The FLA team emphasised the importance of strengthen lecturer and student exchanges and to provide training in research proposal writing. This will help equip young Lao faculty members with stronger research capabilities.
 

The visit extended beyond discussions. The delegation toured UBU’s modern central library, where ICT innovations and green technologies have been seamlessly integrated into library services, offering inspiration for future improvements in academic resource management at Champasak University.

The heart of the collaboration are joint research initiatives launched in late 2024 with support from ROLAG and UBU. The research teams composing of Lao and Thai academics focused on issues of pressing regional relevance :

1. comparative study of the Civil and Commercial Code on Family Law between Thailand and Lao People’s Democratic Republic;
2. legal measures and policies for managing transboundary haze to sustainably prevent PM 2.5 pollution : a case study of Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand, and Champasak Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic;
3. comparative study of rights in Real Estate of Civil and Commercial Code of Thailand and the Law of Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

During the visit, the researchers divided into focused teams to analyse data, debate key legal questions, and plan their next steps. Each team presented its progress to a review committee, outlining preliminary findings and a roadmap toward completion. Early feedback is expected by November 2025, with final research papers scheduled for completion by December 2025. 

These studies are expected to be published in both Thai and international journals, contributing valuable insights to policy discussions on family law reform, environmental governance, and property rights.

Beyond the research outputs, this partnership carries a deeper purpose. It serves as a living classroom for young Lao researchers, allowing them to collaborate with experienced Thai academics, gain hands-on training, and receive technical mentorship — critical steps in building a stronger academic foundation for legal education in Laos.

The ROLAG programme is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and jointly implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Justice and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, ILSTA and the University of Luxembourg.