Chulalongkorn University Hosts ASCN and the 10th SUN Thailand Conference 

Chulalongkorn University was honored to host the Asian Sustainable Campus Network (ASCN) International Conference alongside the 10th Annual Conference of the Sustainable University Network of Thailand (SUN), held from February 2-3, 2026, at Sala Phra Kiao and the Maha Chulalongkorn Building. 

Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, Chairman of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT), and Chair of the Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM) Lifelong Learning Hub, presided over the opening ceremony on Monday, February 2, 2026, held at Sala Phra Kiao, Chulalongkorn University. 

Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat stated that the hosting of the Asian Sustainable Campus Network (ASCN) International Conference and the 10th Sustainable University Network of Thailand (SUN) Conference by Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT), aims to build sustainable development networks at both national and international levels. The conference has strengthened cooperation between Thai universities and international institutions. The role of universities in sustainability requires long-term, forward-looking perspectives at the global level, combined with in-depth approaches. The outcomes of this conference are expected to lead to concrete action plans. Participants were able to exchange knowledge and experiences to support the sustainable growth of our world. 

Universities, Education Transformation, and Sustainability Vision 

The President of Chulalongkorn University further noted that Thailand’s education system is currently undergoing a transformation—from traditional classroom-based, rote learning toward learning beyond the classroom. Such learning must create positive impacts on the world and society while nurturing students to become global citizens. Action plans derived from this conference will extend from international policy levels down to practitioners and students. Universities aim to promote sustainability in all dimensions, with students at the center of sustainable development. 

On this occasion, plenary sessions were delivered by Ms. Michaela Friberg-Storey, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Thailand, and Mr. Sangmin Nam, Director of the Environment and Development Division, UN ESCAP. This was followed by a panel discussion with representatives from sustainable university networks in Japan, the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea, including Prof. Takayuki Nakamura, Executive Director of the Campus Sustainability Network in Japan (CAS-Net JAPAN); Prof. Hongwei Tan, President of the China Green University Network (CGUN); and Prof. Woo-Kyun Lee, Chairman of the Korean Association for Green Campus Initiative (KAGCI). The session was moderated by Associate Professor Dr. Nattapong Makaratat, President of the Sustainable University Network of Thailand (SUN). 

Academic Presentations, Network Collaboration, and Conference Outcomes 

In the afternoon, at the Maha Chulalongkorn Building, faculty members, staff, and students from various universities presented their work under three main themes: 

• Engagement, Culture & Behavior Change for Sustainability 
• Smart & Sustainable Campus Management 
• Innovation & Research for a Sustainable Future 
• Poster presentations were also featured. 

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, meetings of the ASCN Executive Committee and the Executive Committee of the Sustainable University Network of Thailand (SUN) were held, along with presentations of works from ASCN and SUN networks. In the afternoon, a closing ceremony and award presentation took place, presided over by Associate Professor Dr. Siridej Sujiva, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University. This was followed by the handover ceremony for the next ASCN International Conference host to Ritsumeikan University, Japan, and the handover of the next SUN Conference host to Thammasat University, as well as the transfer of the presidency of the Sustainable University Network of Thailand. The event concluded with a campus tour of Chulalongkorn University. 

The Sustainable University Network of Thailand (SUN Thailand) is a network of universities driving missions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Currently, 65 universities are members of the network. SUN Thailand is part of the Asian Sustainable Campus Network (ASCN), which comprises higher education institution networks from several Asian countries, including Japan, the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea. The network focuses on strengthening cooperation in sustainable university development at regional and global levels. Chulalongkorn University is a member of SUN Thailand and is committed to advancing sustainable university networks in alignment with the United Nations SDGs. 

Attended by more than 300 participants from Thai and international universities, this conference served as an important platform for enhancing the role of Thai universities on the global stage of sustainable development. It promoted academic, research, and innovation collaboration among SUN and ASCN member institutions, while also providing a forum for the exchange of knowledge, innovations, and academic work on sustainability among faculty members, students, researchers, and educational personnel from higher education institutions in Thailand and abroad. 

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