Chula Participates in the 8th RUN Summit to Prepare for Research Funding Opportunities 

Chulalongkorn University took part in the 8th annual academic conference, the 8th RUN Summit, together with universities in the Research University Network (RUN). The event, held under the theme “Frontier in AI Research,” aimed at preparing research projects for future funding applications. The summit was held on November 27, 2025, at the Ratchathewi Room 2, Asia Hotel. Chulalongkorn University was represented by Professor Dr. Rungsun Rerknimitr, Assistant to the President for Innovation; Asst. Prof. Dr. Nattapong Punnoi from the Faculty of Architecture; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Solaphat Hemrungrojn and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roongruedee Chaiteerakij, from the Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Dr. Supachitra Chadchawan, Prof. Dr. Supaart Sirikantaramas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jirarat Anuntagool, and Dr. Theraphan Luangthongkum from the Faculty of Science; and Dr. Sitanan Thitiprasert from the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. 

The 8th RUN Summit was organized to discuss research proposal development under four main themes: 

• NextGen Advanced Biotech & SynBio 
• AI-Powered Precision Health & Medicine 
• Agri-Food Intelligence & Climate Technology 
• Transformative Creative Economy 

The summit also aims to support the development of research proposals for submission to the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B). 

Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Vice President for Research at Mahidol University, welcomed participants and emphasized that the academic seminar serves to promote collaboration and integration among network universities. The goal is to prepare high-quality research projects whose researchers understand user needs and can generate economic, social, and policy impacts, ultimately leading to successful research funding applications. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. L. Pinitbhand Paribatra, Vice President for Research and Innovation at Thammasat University and Chair of the Research University Network, highlighted the network’s progress in fostering connections among researchers and research institutions nationally and internationally. The network provides valuable opportunities for early-career, mid-career, and senior researchers. Over the years, RUN universities have collaborated to identify compelling research topics, and the 2025 summit—centered on “Frontier in AI Research”—promotes interdisciplinary research spanning science, technology, health, and society, with a primary focus on addressing national challenges. 

The event also featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Nirawat Thammajak, Director of PMU-B, who shared the unit’s vision and research funding policies. Special talks followed, including “Enhancing Thailand’s Economy Through Research and Innovation” by M.L. Paskorn Abhakorn, Director of the Office of Value Creation for Trade, Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, and “Global Collaboration Is the Way to Secure and Enhance a Country’s Competitiveness” by Mr. Andrew Egan, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy in Bangkok. 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Line