Forging the Future: MFU Advances Global Collaboration and Transnational Education at the 2nd University Presidents’ Forum

On 11 – 13 June 2026, representatives from Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), including Asst. Prof. Dr.Matchima Naradisorn, President; Asst. Prof. Dr.Romyen Kosaikanont, Vice President; and Ms. Orathai Yodyamprai, Lecturer at the School of Sinology, attended the 2nd University Presidents’ Forum of the University Consortium of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (UCMSR), hosted by Xiamen University in Xiamen, China.

Under the theme “Connecting the World via the Maritime Silk Road, Forging the Future with Digital Intelligence,” the forum brought together university leaders and senior representatives from institutions along the Maritime Silk Road. Participating countries included Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand, Türkiye. and the UK. The event provided a platform to exchange perspectives and explore collaborations in higher education, research, and innovation.    

Asst. Prof. Dr.Matchima Naradisorn was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion alongside esteemed university leaders: Tatacipta DIRGANTARA, Rector of Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia;  Ova EMILIA, Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia; Stephanie RIADY, President of Universitas Pelita Harapan, Indonesia; WU Jianping, President of Huaqiao University, China; and XIE Chaotian, President of Jimei University, China. 

The President noted that higher education institutions must ensure that digital tools are imbued with "true, holistic intelligence". The ultimate goal of digital transformation should be to maximise human learning, foster well-being, and secure a sustainable future, rather than replacing human beings. To achieve this vision, the President proposed that universities collectively cultivate three dimensions of intelligence: 

• Cognitive Intelligence (The intelligence in knowing): Empowering students and faculty members to either invent cutting-edge technologies or apply existing tools with a sharp intellect. Students must go beyond being passive consumers of technological trends and use their adaptability to solve local and regional challenges. 
• Purposeful Intelligence (The intelligence in serving): Directing digital innovation toward solving pressing existential crises, such as human wellness, climate change, and economic disparities. 
• Ethical Intelligence (The intelligence in securing): Acting as guardians of data privacy, ethical algorithms, and academic honesty. Universities must ensure that the integration of AI and big data is safe, transparent, and uplifts human dignity rather than exploiting it. 

Moving from vision to action, MFU proposed a tangible joint research initiative with Xiamen University. Spearheaded by MFU’s Office of Border Economy and Logistics Studies and Xiamen’s Wang Yanan Institute for Studies in Economics, the project is titled "The Intersection of Overland and Maritime Digital Trade Corridors". It aims to examine how digital supply chains can optimise trade routes safely and intelligently. Crucially, the President invited other UCMSR members to contribute their regional and technical expertise to this research network. By building a multi-regional initiative, the consortium can present unified proposals to regional development frameworks and international maritime cooperation funds to serve the broader public good.    

Additionally, Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont delivered a speech tilted “Transnational Education (TNE): Practical Solution for Polycrisis World” at the thematic sub-forum, “Connecting the World: Exploring New Practices in Higher Education Cooperation.”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont shared insights into the current challenges of the complex, interconnected crises and highlighted how a redefined approach to TNE offers a viable solution. She suggested that the UCMSR can serve as a platform to maximise strategic international higher education collaborations for a sustainable future. This can be achieved by providing opportunities to identify shared regional challenges, exploring partnerships with those who share common visions, and enhancing transformative initiatives focused on mutual impact, creative collaboration methods, and practical solutions for continuous learning.

As a forward-looking higher education institution, Mae Fah Luang University remains committed to fostering global citizens while enhancing meaningful regional collaborations based on shared visons, values, and principles to jointly create solutions for global challenges.