Khon Kaen University (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น) is an internationally-recognized university in Asia. It is located in the Isan region of Thailand. The university is a central hub of education in north-east Thailand. In 1941, during the reign of the King Ananda Mahidol and during the time of Field Marshal Pibulsonggram as prime minister, they had a plan to improve continued education throughout Thailand. There were plans to open a university in the Ubon Ratchathani province, but the Second World War had broken out. Thailand was militarily forced into siding with Japan. Plans to build universities in north east Thailand had fallen through. It wasn't until 1960 that plans to open institutions of further instruction in north east Thailand would continue. In 1962 the proposition to open an institution of further education in the fields of engineering and advanced agriculture passed. Thus the Khon Kaen Institute of Technology was born. After this it became known as the University of North East Thailand. Because there was no government office that would take responsibility of managing the university directly, the government set up a national education council.