On 30 August 2024, Mae Fah Luang University’s project titled "Revitalizing Chiang Rai's Cultural Capital towards UNESCO Creative Cities Network" triumphantly won the Silver Award at Thailand Research Expo 2024 among 139 participating institutions. Prof. Dr.Sujitra Wongkasemjit, Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University accepted the award, presented by Mr. Permsuk Saccato, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI). This is the fourth consecutive year that Mae Fah Luang University has received the award in the Thailand Research Expo.
The project “Revitalizing Chiang Rai's Cultural Capital towards UNESCO Creative Cities Network”, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr.Pollavat Praphattong, Head of Mekong Basin Civilization Museum and lecturer of the School of Liberal Arts, and his team, presented its success in revitalizing Chiang Rai's cultural capital through a research project that contributed to Chiang Rai's recognition by UNESCO as a "Creative City of Design". This research, conducted from 2021 to 2023, focused on the Chiang Saen Basin area.
Chiang Rai province has faced economic and cultural crises due to large-scale development projects, cultural changes, and environmental issues. MFU's research project aimed to revitalize weakened cultural capital and create sustainability for communities in the Chiang Saen Basin. MFU has been driving this initiative with accumulated knowledge on cultural capital and research funding from the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMU-A) for three years through the following projects:
The project's success is reflected in the collection of 280 items in the cultural map system, creating income for communities through 70 items, involving 40 cultural entrepreneurs, increasing entrepreneurs' income by 15% annually, and benefiting 1,500 people in the area. The Social Return On Investment (SROI) is 1:3.56 baht, with 12 intellectual properties and learning processes developed, enabling communities to sustainably drive cultural capital.
This marks a significant step in revitalizing Chiang Rai's cultural capital and creating new economic opportunities while enhancing the city's international reputation. Driving with the UNESCO concept and local design approach in promoting sustainable development and global creativity, the university helped in propelling Chiang Rai's recognition as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a ‘City of Design’ on 31 October 2023.
This year, Thailand Research Expo returned with the theme "Research Synergy for the Sustainable Development of Thai Economy and Society". The annual event was organised by the National Research Council of Thailand, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and research networks from various sectors. It took place at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld from 26 - 30 August 2024.
The event aimed to foster connections among research networks at all levels, the expo featured a comprehensive showcase of over 1,000 groundbreaking innovations from across the country. They are categorised into six themes, each addressing critical areas necessary for the country's development -- "BCG Economy", "Soft Power", "New Economy", "Sustainable Society", "Environment", and "Community Enterprise and SMEs".
In addition, Mae Fah Luang University received the award in recognition of a success in the Young Research Project or Luk Kai 2023 from Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand. This achievement was a testament for the university’s efforts in human resource development in research and innovation.
Apart from the showcasing of research works, MFU lecturers from the School of Science including Dr.Panom Winyayong, Dr.Amorn Owatworakit, and Dr.Kitiphong Khongphinitbunjong, who received the fund from Hub of Knowledge in Thailand’s Coffee Technology and Value Chain Management, also shared knowledge and experience in the panel discussion on “Adding Value to Thai Coffee through Technology and Innovation”. With a focus on presenting methods of using technology and innovation to add value to Thai coffee, this panel discussion not only demonstrated the true potential of Thai coffee but also opened up new perspectives on developing the coffee industry to advance on an international level.
Positioning itself as a university for well-being and sustainable future, Mae Fah Luang University will continue to drive forward research and innovation, focusing on developing basic research into technology and promoting innovation for area-based social development. Having won awards for four consecutive years since 2021, reinforces the university’s success in research and innovation driving well-being and a sustainable future.
