Demonstration School of University of Phayao Strengthens Thai-Russian Educational and Scientific Diplomacy at PlantGen 2025 in Novosibirsk, Russia

From July 2–5, 2025, Dr. Chatchawan Wongchai, Deputy Director for Student Affairs at the Demonstration School of the University of Phayao, participated in the international academic conference PlantGen 2025 in Novosibirsk, Russia. His participation marks a significant step in enhancing both education and scientific diplomacy between Thailand and Russia.

This initiative supports the “Gifted Education and Higher Education” project under the guidance of the Office of the Education Council (OEC) and Chitralada Technology Institute. It follows the success of the 5th Thai-Russian Roundtable on “Sharing Good Practices in Gifted Education and Higher Education,” led by Associate Professor Dr. Khunying Sumonta Promboon and the OEC—recognized as a key policy-setting body for national education development.

The Thai delegation collaborated with educational experts and policymakers from the Russian Federation in alignment with the royal initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, commemorating 128 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Russia.

During the conference, Dr. Chatchawan presented the direction of science education development for students at the Demonstration School of the University of Phayao. His presentation emphasized advancements in plant bioinformatics, plant genetics, and biotechnology—fields in which the school collaborates with the Faculty of Science and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).

This effort was supported by Novosibirsk State University and the Institute of Cytology and Genetics under the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Following the conference, Dr. Chatchawan visited Moscow State University and the Kolmogorov Boarding School to explore further scientific and educational collaborations. He met with Dr. Marina Sergeeva, Head of the Biological Department at the Advanced Educational Scientific Center of Moscow State University (Kolmogorov School), to discuss future joint initiatives for nurturing gifted students.

The visit reinforced bilateral educational cooperation aimed at transformative education and the UNESCO framework for Transformative Education and Happy Schools 2025–2030, promoting innovation and diplomatic goodwill between Thailand and Russia.