Chula President Speaks on “The Next Step for Thai Higher Education” at Beyond AI Conference 

Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University and Chair of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT), delivered a special lecture titled “The Next Step for Thai Higher Education: Lessons Learned and Directions for Thai Education” on December 19, 2025, at the Eastin Grand Hotel, Phayathai. The lecture was part of the 4th/2025 Mobile Meeting of the Academic and Educational Quality Development Committee, “Beyond AI: Integrating Technology Sustainably in Thai Higher Education” (Higher Education 6.0: Building Sustainable Learning Ecosystems in the Digital Age), organized by CUPT in collaboration with Mahidol University. Prof. Dr. Piyamitr Sritara, President of Mahidol University, presided over the opening of the conference, which was attended by university presidents, administrators, and representatives from various higher education institutions. 

Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat highlighted the evolving role of universities, stating that their importance has not diminished. Universities play a critical role in shaping lives, cultivating wisdom, and providing real-world experiences to develop individuals from being “users” to “creators” of technology. University education should not only keep pace with global changes but also aim to be ahead of them. The university’s mission is therefore to improve people’s quality of life. With regard to AI, ethics must be incorporated alongside technological advancements. 

He emphasized that the role of educators is not limited to teaching; they are Life Changers, transferring experiences to develop human resources who are future-ready, innovative, and capable of driving sustainability in the digital world. Thailand must build knowledge at the international level by creating its own models. In the competitive landscape of both national and international universities, the greatest competitor is all forms of education, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

Prof. Dr. Wilert also discussed universities and sustainability (SDGs), noting that all 17 SDGs should be addressed, with each faculty taking responsibility for specific goals. The next step for universities must consider Digital Sustainability. Lifelong learning infused with Philanthropic Spirit and interdisciplinary integration is crucial. 

“AI is artificially created intelligence. What we aim for is Instinctual Intelligence. The role of universities is not only to provide academic knowledge and degrees but also to educate the mind. We must move from ‘Artificial Intelligence’ to a ‘Society of Invented Intelligence.’ This is the new role of Thai higher education,” said the Chula President and Chair of CUPT. 

The 4th/2025 Mobile Meeting of the Academic and Educational Quality Development Committee, “Beyond AI: Integrating Technology Sustainably in Thai Higher Education” (Higher Education 6.0: Building Sustainable Learning Ecosystems in the Digital Age), served as a platform for discussion and exchange of ideas on Thailand’s higher education transition to Education 6.0. The focus was on sustainable technology integration, creating learning ecosystems aligned with Thailand’s context, and preparing graduates to meet national and global labor market needs. 

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