On 24 August 2026, the School of Business and Communication Arts, University of Phayao, represented by Dr. Piyapong Supanyo, Deputy Dean for Innovation, Research and Network Development, together with Dr. Somkid Yaken, Lecturer in the Bachelor of Business Administration Program in Finance and Investment, participated in the 2026 “心联通 云南行” Friendship City Communication Officer Incubation Camp in Yunnan Province, the People’s Republic of China.
The participation aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange on coffee, promote intercultural communication, and establish international cooperation networks, with a particular focus on connecting knowledge and the potential of coffee-producing areas across the Mekong subregion and related countries.
The event served as an international platform for learning and exchanging knowledge and experiences throughout the coffee value chain. Producers, entrepreneurs, academics, and professionals involved in the coffee industry from nine countries—China, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia—participated in discussions covering upstream, midstream, and downstream aspects of coffee production. Key areas included cultivation and land management, processing, quality control, development of coffee identity and storytelling, product development, marketing, and the integration of coffee with culture, local communities, and tourism.
A key focus of the exchange was the development of regional cooperation networks in the coffee sector, particularly the connection of coffee-producing areas across China, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia in the Mekong subregion, while extending cooperation with Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. The discussions emphasized the exchange of knowledge, technologies, and practices related to coffee production, as well as efforts to enhance coffee quality and standards, create added value for farmers and communities, develop Specialty Coffee and Coffee Tourism, and expand opportunities for international market cooperation.
In addition, participants exchanged views on the study and development of the “World Heritage Coffee” concept, which recognizes coffee not merely as a commodity but as an element interconnected with landscapes, culture, ways of life, local wisdom, ethnic heritage, and the history of coffee-growing communities. The concept could provide a basis for future international collaborative research and studies, including the development of databases on coffee-producing areas and cultural heritage, the development of Coffee Cultural Routes and Coffee Tourism, and the establishment of international cooperation networks linking universities, communities, businesses, and government agencies.
The participation provided an opportunity for knowledge and experience exchange among coffee stakeholders from various countries and contributed to the development of regional and international cooperation networks in the coffee sector. In particular, it highlighted opportunities to connect coffee-related knowledge with community development, culture, tourism, and the creative economy, which could be further developed into future cooperation in research, innovation, product development, and value creation for coffee and local communities.
The activity is in line with the School of Business and Communication Arts, University of Phayao’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation networks, integrating academic knowledge with community development, and utilizing the potential of coffee as a mechanism for connecting people, knowledge, cultures, and economic opportunities across the region in a tangible manner.