The International Relations and Global Affairs (IRGA) Program of Mahidol University International College (MUIC) celebrated IRGA Festival 2025 with two days’ worth of activities that featured its alumni, subject matter experts, international and non-government organization leaders, student theater actors, social influencers, student debaters, and others, making the topics of international relations, diplomacy, and socio-political issues relatable and relevant to students and the general audience, as well.
On February 25, 2025, IRGA opened the two-day event with speeches from Prof. Piyamitr Sritara, MD, FRCP, President of Mahidol University; Ms. Wimonsiri Hemtanon, Associate Dean for Student Affairs of MUIC; and Mr. Christian Oesterheld, Chair of MUIC’s Social Science Division. IRGA faculty members, students and staff were in attendance at Charinyarasami Hall, the event’s venue on the 3rd Floor of Aditayathorn Building.
Prof. Piyamitr praised IRGA Festival 2025 as “An event that truly embodies the spirit of global engagement, intellectual curiosity and collaboration.”
On the other hand, Ajarn Wimonsiri said, “The IRGA Festival represents more than just an academic event—it embodies our commitment to nurturing the next generation of global leaders, diplomats, and changemakers. Looking at our program, I am filled with pride at the breadth and depth of expertise we have gathered here at MUIC.”
Even as he formally declared IRGA Festival 2025 officially open, Mr. Oesterheld expressed his gratitude to the IRGA Ambassadors, IRGA students, alumni, faculty members and staff for all their contributions to making the event successful.
The first activity of the festival, “From MUIC to MFA: Experiences of Our Alumni” featured alumni who are now working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Mr. Karin Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Counsellor, Department of ASEAN Affairs; and Ms. Pin-anong Weesapen, Project Officer, also of the Department of ASEAN Affairs.
With Mr. Jiratt “Boom” Pluemthanom, President of the MUN Club and a team leader and coordinator of the IRGA Ambassadors, serving as the moderator, Mr. Karin and Ms. Pin-anong recounted their student days in MUIC (both of them balancing their studies with involvement in extracurricular activities), traced the beginnings of their respective careers in diplomacy (the two of them worked in other related fields before joining the MFA), their dream postings (India for Mr. Karin and New York City for Ms. Pin-anong), and others. They also acknowledged and thanked their professors (one of whom was Mr. Oesterheld) for everything they have learned from them.
They also offered their advice to the IRGA students. Mr. Karin said they should learn to “Listen well. Listen to the emotion, the voice of the person you are speaking to. Learn to listen to the room—know when to talk, whom to speak to, whom to shake hands with, and others.” Ms. Pin-anong, on the other hand, cautioned the students to “be considerate to your coworkers but make sure to get your work done.”
Afterwards, there was a Diplomacy and Negotiations Workshop while in the afternoon, there was a screening entitled “Harmony Beyond Borders,” a staging of the play, “Death and the Maiden” by Ariel Dorfman; and “The Silent Shot: Who Killed the Diplomat,” an interactive game.
