The University of Phayao, under the leadership of Associate Professor Acharaporn Duangjai, Ph.D., Assistant to the President, and Assistant Professor Santiwat Pithakpol, Ph.D., Director of the Innovation and Technology Transfer Institute, along with the Research Administration Division team, attended the "RU Connext #1: Connecting Thai Research for Real-World Applications (Northern Region)" event at the Northern Science Park in Chiang Mai on August 7, 2025.

Organized by the National Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Agency (NSRI), the event served as a platform for knowledge exchange and for advancing research towards tangible commercial and social applications. Universities under the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) Northern Network showcased high-potential research and innovations.

A standout moment of the event was the national research policy address delivered by Prof. Dr. Sompong Klainongsuang, Director of NSRI. In his speech, he stressed the importance of Thai university research being both financially profitable and practically applicable, with a focus on creating tangible impact. This vision aims to cultivate research that addresses real-world needs and makes valuable contributions to the economy and society.

The University of Phayao showcased impressive, readily applicable research projects at the exhibition, showcasing the institution's robust research and innovation capabilities. Additionally, the delegation participated in discussions on strategies to enhance research utilization in economic, social, and policy contexts, as well as to foster international collaborations, all with the goal of elevating Thai research to global standards.