Mae Fah Luang University, through its Intellectual Property and Innovation Management Division, hosted "MFU Innovation Day 2026" on 16-17 February 2026, at the M-Square building. The two-day event showcased the University’s strengths in research, technology, and innovation, emphasising practical applications and commercialization of academic expertise, alongside efforts to expand collaborative networks with industry partners and entrepreneurs across regional and national contexts.
The opening ceremony on 16 February was presided over by Mr. Prasong La-on, Deputy Governor of Chiang Rai Province, together with university executives and partner organizations. The programme included an overview of MFU’s innovation development efforts and presentation of the MFU INNO Prize 2026, recognising research and innovations with strong potential for social impact and commercial applications. The awards were presented in two main categories, covering six fields and seven prizes: five awards across four fields for internal university personnel and units, and two awards in two fields for external individuals and organizations.
One of the event’s highlights was the success story of the student team ‘First One’, creators of "Pamori serum" developed from Khai Pham (Wolffia) extract. The product received the national Best of the Best Award in 2025 under a programme supported by the Government Savings Bank (GSB). This achievement demonstrates the university's structured support for student entrepreneurship, guiding research-based ideas from the laboratory toward market-ready, value-added products with national competitiveness.
The R2C Talk panel titled "Inspiring Innovation Journey: From Research to Market-Ready Innovation," offered an in-depth perspective at the full innovation pathway, from the upstream process including discovering new knowledge from research, evaluating commercial potential, and protecting intellectual property through patents, to downstream commercialization, including prototype development, market validation, business planning, branding, and business matching with industry and investors. The session connected researchers with entrepreneurs, investors, and industry representatives, emphasising the importance of aligning research outputs with real market needs.
Throughout the event, participants engaged in a series of hands-on workshops and entrepreneurial capacity-building activities. These included a Coffee Sensory Workshop applying microbiology to specialty coffee processing to enhance quality and strengthen local identity; a Cosmetic Training & Mini Workshop focusing on formulation and cosmetic product standards; the "Entrepreneur Launchpad" pitching forum connecting participants with experts and investors; Business Consulting 2026 providing guidance in finance, marketing, and management; and a roadshow to pilot plants and cosmetic laboratory, offering direct exposure to semi-industrial production processes.
In parallel, "INNO JUMP MARKET 2026" featured more than 48 entrepreneurs showcasing and selling innovative products across food, cosmetics, health, and lifestyle categories. The marketplace created opportunities for business negotiation, partnership formation, and direct interaction with consumers.
MFU Innovation Day 2026 extended beyond a conventional exhibition. It demonstrated an integrated innovation ecosystem that links research discovery, prototype development, business readiness, and market engagement in a coordinated manner. In doing so, MFU further establishes its role not only as an academic institution, but also as a regional hub that turns research excellence into economic value and long-term societal benefit.
