Chula Launches Platform to Create Sustainable Solutions for Flood Crisis 

The Sustainable Society Platform under the Office of Research Affairs, Chulalongkorn University, organized a seminar titled “Creating Solutions for the Flood Crisis Towards Sustainable Transformation.” The event, held on October 22, 2025, at Chulalongkorn University’s Social Innovation Hub (SiHub), aimed to bring together interdisciplinary researchers to develop sustainable solutions. 

 The President of Chulalongkorn University, Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, delivered a keynote speech on “Strategies for Managing Crises for Sustainability,” while Professor Dr. Pornanong Aramwit, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, gave the opening remarks. 

According to Prof. Dr. Wilert, “Chulalongkorn University is not only an academic institution dedicated to education and learning, it also plays a crucial role in guiding society and addressing social issues — particularly those related to sustainability and crisis management. The Sustainable Society Platform is a product of the Office of Research Affairs and the Chulalongkorn research team, representing a new form of innovation for the university. Sustainability requires long-term planning, and this platform integrates knowledge from all disciplines within the university. It is designed to be practical and applicable to real problems faced by the Thai public.” 

Prof. Dr. Pornanong added, “This platform focuses on the sustainability of society. We are starting with the issue of flooding, as it is one of the nation’s major challenges. In the future, the platform will also address other issues such as PM 2.5 air pollution. Chulalongkorn University has previously developed new bodies of knowledge through collaboration among researchers from various disciplines in order to effectively respond to major social challenges.” 

“The launch of this platform enables young researchers to collaborate with senior and more experienced researchers. While the younger generation brings innovative ideas, they may lack experience — this cooperation bridges that gap. Such collaboration ensures that research truly meets societal needs and fosters sustainable development in Thai society” the Vice President added.   

Following the speeches, a panel discussion was held under the topic “How Lessons from Other Countries Can Help Us Manage the Flood Crisis.” 

Academics from diverse fields shared their experiences and worked together to propose policy recommendations aimed at building a society that can sustainably cope with flood crises — drawing from both domestic and international case studies. 

Key speakers from government policy sectors included: 

• Dr. Pichet Nongchang, Secretary-General of the National Institute for Emergency Medicine 
• Assoc. Prof. Wongkot Wongsapai, Office of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) 
• Mr. Paisan Khonjumpa, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Institute for Emergency Medicine 
• Dr. Sanya Namee, Director of the Disaster Prevention Measures Division 

Expert speakers from Chulalongkorn University included: 

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Nattasuda Taephant, Dean, Faculty of Psychology
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Pongsak Suttinon, Faculty of Engineering 
• Dr. Puntita Tanwattana, Environmental Research Institute for Sustainability 
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanittha Tambunlertchai, Faculty of Economics 

The session was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Unruan Leknoi, Director of the Social Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University. 

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