On the morning of Thursday, September 10, 2026, the Phaya Ngam Muang Auditorium at the University of Phayao was bustling with executives, staff, and students gathering for the 4th "SHOW & SHARE 2026" event. The event was held under the theme "Carbon Sustainovation"-a clever blend of Carbon, Sustainability, and Innovation. Behind this short catchphrase lies a massive mission: to concretely guide the University of Phayao toward becoming a "Carbon Neutral University".
Why "Carbon Neutrality"?
Today, climate change is no longer a distant threat. Greenhouse gases emitted from human activities are driving up global temperatures, impacting every dimension of society, the economy, and the environment. Many countries worldwide are now adopting the concept of "Carbon Neutrality"-balancing emitted greenhouse gases with those absorbed-and Thailand has announced its own goals in this exact direction.
As an educational institution tasked with both providing knowledge and leading change, the University of Phayao doesn't view this as merely a passing trend. Instead, it has integrated this mission into its 5-year strategic university development plan (2026–2030). The focus is specifically on developing a modern, efficient, transparent, and well-governed management system for sustainability. The university also aims to continuously boost its UI GreenMetric World University Ranking. Its progress has been evident: climbing steadily from 260th globally in 2020 to 106th globally-and 9th in Thailand-in 2024, proving that years of continuous effort have not been in vain.
When an "Exhibition" Becomes a Platform to Drive Sustainability
This Show & Share event was more than just a traditional opening ceremony; it served as a centralized platform showcasing the university's environmental initiatives. The morning featured executives touring exhibitions that highlighted physical development and sustainability innovations from various departments, leading up to the official opening ceremony.
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Associate Professor Dr. Supakorn Pongbangpho, President of the University of Phayao, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing that the "Carbon Sustainovation" concept is a key driver in pushing the university toward carbon neutrality. She noted that the event provides a platform for faculties, departments, staff, and students to present their work, exchange environmental knowledge and experiences, and translate them into practical actions rather than just beautiful words on stage. She also reminded attendees that sustainability starts close to home, such as through mindful energy consumption, waste separation, and choosing eco-friendly transportation.
Prior to the opening, Dr. Prach Pingmuanglek, Acting Director of the Environment and Sustainable Management Center, clearly outlined the event's objectives in his report. He stated that the goal was to create a space for academic staff, support staff, and students to collectively propose ways to develop the university toward carbon neutrality. At this event, over 44 staff members and 240 students who had completed a carbon neutrality training program came together to share their perspectives.
From Eco-Missions to EV Buses
Throughout the day, the event was designed to ensure participants weren't just listeners, but active participants. It kicked off with the "5 Eco-Missions" activity, where attendees navigated various stations to earn a "Nong Carbon" doll keychain souvenir, personally handed out by the university president. This served as a small incentive to make environmental issues feel more accessible, rather than just about numbers or academic reports.
Late morning featured a presentation on the university's UI Green performance by Assistant Professor Suwit Panyawong, Vice President for Environment and Landscape. This was followed by a highly engaging panel discussion on student behavior regarding the university's EV Bus service. Hosted by students from the School of Political and Social Sciences, the panel reflected how the pilot electric bus project-aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions-is not just a top-down policy, but is gradually becoming a real part of student life on campus.
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The afternoon session could be considered the heart of the event. During this time, the staff and students who had previously completed the carbon neutrality training took the stage to present their own ideas for university development, offering perspectives from both workers and learners. The event concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony for those who proposed these guidelines, reinforcing the message that sustainability is not the job of any single department, but something everyone in the university can participate in.
The University's Next Steps
Looking at the big picture, the 4th Show & Share event acted as an intersection, demonstrating how the University of Phayao's environmental efforts across various sectors are interconnected. Whether it's the Carbon Neutrality training for executives and staff, the continuous push to improve UI GreenMetric rankings every year, or the pilot use of EV buses on campus, all these efforts were brought together and communicated so everyone shares the same vision.
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The term "Carbon Sustainovation" used for this year's event is therefore not just a catchy slogan. It is a declaration of the university's stance: the University of Phayao is choosing to move toward carbon neutrality through innovation and collective participation, rather than relying solely on top-down directives. As the closing ceremony wrapped up late that afternoon, what participants took home was likely not just the Nong Carbon keychain, but the understanding that the university's path to sustainability begins with the small, everyday actions of everyone involved.