University of Glasgow Connect

The FarmAquaNet project in partnership with Chulalongkorn University

At the University of Glasgow, we believe that meaningful international collaboration is built over time through shared values, mutual investment, and a commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges together. Our longstanding partnership with Chulalongkorn University in Thailand is a testament to this belief, and we are proud to celebrate a major milestone in that journey: the launch of FarmAquaNet, a groundbreaking One Health research initiative focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic ecosystems.

A partnership years in the making

The roots of this collaboration stretch back many years. What began as a series of exploratory visits—supported by the International Partnership Development Fund (IPDF)—and academic exchanges has grown into a deep, strategic partnership between our College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences and Chulalongkorn’s Faculties of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Through regular dialogue, joint workshops, and reciprocal visits, we have built a relationship grounded in trust, shared purpose, and a mutual commitment to the principles of One Health.

This approach—recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health—has shaped much of our joint work. It has also laid the foundation for success in securing external funding for collaborative research, culminating in the recent award of a £1 million grant from the UKRI Southeast Asia Collaboration on Infectious Diseases to support the FarmAquaNet project. The project is also co-funded by Thailand’s Agricultural Research Development Agency (ARDA), further underscoring the strength of this bilateral collaboration.

FarmAquaNet: Science with purpose

Launched officially in Bangkok on 27th May 2025, FarmAquaNet brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers from Scotland and Thailand. The project aims to tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic environments—an issue that poses serious risks to both public health and food security.

Under the One Health framework, the team will conduct fieldwork in rural aquaculture sites, engage with local communities, and carry out environmental and laboratory analyses to better understand how antimicrobial resistance spreads through water systems. By integrating scientific, social, and policy perspectives, the project seeks to co-create practical, sustainable solutions that can be implemented locally and inform global strategies.

A shared commitment to global health

Reflecting on the partnership, Professor Christopher Loughrey, Head of the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, said: “Our collaboration with Chulalongkorn University reflects a shared commitment to advancing the principles of One Health. Together, we are addressing some of the most urgent global health challenges, including antimicrobial resistance in aquatic ecosystems. This project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when institutions invest in long-term relationships and work across borders and disciplines to create meaningful change.”

Looking ahead

The launch of FarmAquaNet is not just the beginning of a new research project—it is the continuation of a journey that demonstrates the value of sustained, strategic international partnership. It shows what’s possible when institutions commit to building trust, aligning priorities, and working together to deliver impact that extends far beyond academia.

As we look to the future, we are eager to deepen our collaboration with Chulalongkorn University and to explore new opportunities with other global partners who share our commitment to interdisciplinary research and sustainable development.

Let’s continue to build partnerships that matter and that make a difference.