Chula Driving Social Change: Highlights from Engagement Thailand 2026 

Chulalongkorn University, together with the Thailand University–Community Engagement Association (EnT), organized the 10th National Academic Conference, Engagement Thailand: Future Holistic Engagement—from Local Power to Global Impact, held from January 13-16, 2026, at Samyan Mitrtown Shopping Center and Chulalongkorn University. The conference aimed to foster knowledge exchange and drive university social engagement among domestic and international networks, as well as to promote and develop early-career researchers by enhancing their skills and knowledge in socially engaged research. 

The opening ceremony took place on January 14, 2026, featuring welcome remarks by Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, and Prof. Dr. Narin Hiransuthikul, President of the Thailand University–Community Engagement Association (EnT). The conference was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Chairman of the Chulalongkorn University Council, who also delivered a special keynote lecture titled “Role of University in Social Engagement Missions.” 

The 10th Engagement Thailand National Academic Conference comprised three main components: 

Pre-Conference Workshop (Tuesday, January 13, 2026) 

Workshops were organized to provide knowledge and facilitate the exchange of best practices in socially engaged research. Two workshops were offered: 

• Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, led by Dr. Marisol Morales, Executive Director of the Carnegie Classifications and Assistant Vice President, American Council on Education. 
• Social Impact Assessment (SIA) 101, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Damrong Wattana, Deputy Director of the Chulalongkorn University Academic Service Center, and Dr. Pornmanee Khamloet. 

Conference (January 14-15, 2026) 

In addition to the special keynote by Prof. Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Chairman of the Chulalongkorn University Council, the program included: 

• Keynote Lecture: Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement: What, Why, How, and When to Start? by Dr. Marisol Morales, Executive Director, Carnegie Elective Classifications, and Assistant Vice President, American Council on Education. 
• Knowledge-Sharing Session: Community Engagement through Teaching—lessons learned from the College of Alice and Peter Tan, National University of Singapore (NUS), presented by Dr. Lavanya Balachandran (Associate Director of Community Engagement), Dr. Daniel Jew (Director of Studies), and Ms. Magdelene Tong (current student and former Director of Active Community Engagement). 
• Knowledge-Sharing Session: Community Engagement through University GLAM (Gardens, Libraries & Museums) by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chatchai Kanlayanapaphon (Botanical Garden, Walailak University), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anyanitha Distanont (Public Library, Thammasat University), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wichase Khonsue (Chulalongkorn University Museum of Natural History). 
• Knowledge-Sharing Session: Community Engagement through Student Development Activities & Social Enterprise by Khemaprasit Sirisukha and Mueantawan Onnom (Mission Earth), Ms. Ratpraorn Ittibenjapong (student, SIFE—Students in Free Enterprise Club, Chulalongkorn University), and Suttilak Tohktong (Khao Mai Pla Man Amphawa). 
• Dinner Talk: Academic Positions from Socially Engaged Work by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Awan Opasphatnakin (Vice President, EnT), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anuphan Sittichokechaiwut (Naresuan University), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phimpaka Phothilanga (Lampang Rajabhat University), and Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanyasiporn Na Nan (Chulalongkorn University). 
• Presentation of Engagement Projects in oral and poster formats across four sub-themes: 

1.   Engagement with Teaching 
2.   Engagement with Research & Innovation 
3.   Engagement with Student Activities 
4.   Special Engagement Activities 

• The Community & University Sustainable Marketplace, featuring university–community products and a DIY workshop, “From Waste to Art,” where participants could create and take home their own crafts, was held at the activity area in front of KFC on the G floor. 

Excursion (Friday, January 16, 2026) 

Participants joined an excursion with two routes: 

• Route 1: Chula GLAM (Garden, Library, and Museum)—a tour showcasing the creation of sustainable learning spaces for communities and urban society, including parks, libraries, and museums within the university. 
• Route 2: Chula Academic and Responsible Engagement (CARE)—a tour highlighting social responsibility and the development of an academic community around Chulalongkorn University, such as campus waste management under the Chula Zero Waste initiative and a visit to Block 28: Creative & Startup Village to learn about sustainable space management. 

The 10th Engagement Thailand National Academic Conference supported and promoted the concept of university–community engagement through collaboration both among universities and between universities and external organizations, with continuous engagement with community organizations. To further strengthen this mission, the baton was passed to Mahasarakham University to host the 11th Engagement Thailand National Academic Conference. 

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