Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukree Hajisamae, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, revealed that he was elected to be the first president of the ASEAN Fisheries Education Network (ASEAN FEN).

       The ASEAN FEN network is based on the concept of academic experts collaborating in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture in the ASEAN region, in order to facilitate mutually beneficial activities.

       In 2006, the network held a seminar in Vietnam with 30 universities in attendance. The discussions focused mainly on curriculum development, along with student and staff exchange. This event was met with interest by Asian Institute of Technology, Hokkaido University in Japan and the University of China, which is the largest university in the fisheries field.

       Additionally, the activities of ASEAN FEN also drew interest from organizations and universities involved in fisheries and aquaculture in Europe, prompting the European Aquaculture University to jointly organize a cooperative project for EU support, titled "European-Asian Innovation and Technology Platform" or EARASTIP. This ambitious project aims to establish a network to draw up aquaculture farming plans and policies for ASEAN and Europe. Due to ASEAN’s prominent role in food production for Europe, this initiative could present opportunities to develop both of the quantity and the quality of seafood.

       
Within a 3-year period, the EU-funded EARASTIP project will establish a network in ASEAN countries and neighboring areas in order to strengthen the trade and transfer of fishery and aquaculture technology in the future.

       PSU has elected to be the participant in this international network, which has the potential to bring beneficial exposure to universities in southern Thailand, making them known in the European Union and ASEAN countries. The network also offers an opportunity for academics to engage with academics globally, leading to the opportunity to apply for a wider variety of research grants, according to the Dean of the PSU Faculty of Science and Technology.