SUT Joins WTUC 2025 at Thaksin University

Driving Thai Higher Education Toward Global Innovation Leadership

Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), as a member of the World Technology Universities Network (WTUN), participated in the World Technology Universities Congress 2025 (WTUC 2025), held 20–22 October 2025 at Prem Tinsulanonda Hall, Thaksin University, Songkhla Campus, under the theme “The Glocalization: Functional Role of Higher Education from Local to Global,” with representatives from 16 WTUN member countries in attendance.

SUT delegation and roles

SUT contributed as keynote and panel participants, highlighting the role of Thai higher education in driving societal transformation through innovation, technology, and international collaboration, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Wipawee Usaha, Director of the Center for International Affairs, and Asst. Prof. Dr. TapanyPatcharawit, Deputy Director of the Center, who engaged senior leaders from global technology universities to shape future cooperation on graduate and researcher exchanges, the WTUN Student Competition, the WTUN Hackathon on Climate Action, and the Brian Cantor Scholarship Prize for doctoral researchers, as well as discuss possibilities of capitalizing on WTUN to explore new collaborative schemes such as the Southeast Asia-Europe Joint Funding Scheme for Research and Innovation (JFS) or the Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Higher Education.

Glocal University focus

The delegation advanced the “Glocal University” agenda by presenting knowledge and innovation that integrate local contexts with global perspectives across four focus areas, demonstrating SUT’s practical contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals through science, technology, and innovation.

Highlighted presentations

1.       Social Innovation for Area-based Development: “Reviving Heritage, Empowering Communities: Muay Korat as a Catalyst for Glocal Social Innovation,” by Dr. Mullika Sungsanit, Head, Center of Excellence for Entrepreneurship, showcasing Thai martial arts as social innovation supporting community identity and creative local development.

2.       Technology & Digital Transformation in Glocalized Education: “Digital Knowledge Transfer for Sustainable Ecotourism: A case Study of Smart Trail in Klong Plakang, Khao Yai National Park, Thailand,” presenting digital knowledge transfer to enhance sustainable ecotourism in Khlong Plakang, Khao Yai National Park.

3.       University–Industry Partnership for Sustainability: “Role of Suranaree University of Technology (SUT-The Federation of Thai Industrys Nakhon Ratchasima (FTI-NR) Partnerships in Accelerating Korat’s Carbon Neutrality Pathway,” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Vorasiri de Cadenet, Head of the Greenhouse Gas Management Unit, Technopolis, SUT outlining university’s collaboration with the Federation of Thai Industries—Nakhon Ratchasima (FTI-NR) to enable a low-carbon city.

4.       AI Technology and Higher Education: “Instructional Strategies and Learning Enhancement in the Era of Student Reliance on AI,” by Dr. Sirilak Chumkiew, Assistant Director for Academic Services and Community Engagement, Technopolis, SUT proposing learning design approaches amid increasing reliance on AI and digital tools to sustain educational quality in this new era.

Participation in WTUC 2025 underscores SUT’s policy leadership and its position as a driver of knowledge for the global community, reaffirming a commitment to create new opportunities for students, researchers, and staff, and evidencing readiness to be a “Glocal University” that delivers positive impacts locally and globally through science, technology, and international partnership.

Division of Public Relations

24 October 2025