Chiang Mai University has partnered with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NTBC) and become ASEAN’s first-ever 5G university. The university had previously signed a memorandum of understanding, commonly referred to as an MOU, on two occasions with NTBC, regarding the study and establishment of a 5G testing center, marking a technological advance in telecommunication service technology capable of transmitting large amounts of data through a 5G network. The first MOU was signed on June 22, 2019 and the second was signed on June 20, 2021. The objective of this partnership is to prepare for a 5G service provision in Thailand and to build a solid foundation that can accommodate the changes and the transition to 5G by creating a network designed for sharing knowledge and experience between government agencies and educational institutions equipped with experts and capabilities in digital technology.
CMU’s previous operations were aimed at increasing the limits of what is currently capable through digital technology. Clinical Prof. Niwes Nantachit, the CMU President, stated at the ‘Digital Transformation for the Future’ University Seminar that the university had employed digital technology to support several projects that have been initiated and that we have benefited immensely from these initiatives. For instance, the online teaching programs; the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TLIC) that enhances digital skills for CMU lecturers; the School of Lifelong Education, which is an open educational platform for learners of all ages; and the Centre for High-Performance Computing Service that uses advanced technology to provide data for research. The incorporation of technology also extends to administration work, such as official document requests that cannot be submitted online; e-payment; the planning, analysis and decision-making of important executive tasks; as well as other activities taking place at the university. There are now 7,000 hotspots covering the entire campus.
The 13th Development Plan focuses on solving inequality issues at the social and global scales. Increasing the capacity limits through digital technology means that the university will be able to tackle the challenges with greater efficiency and it will also help the university fulfill its missions. So far the university has created model platforms such as Smart City management in all dimensions that goes hand in hand with Chiang Mai’s development to achieve sustainability and excellence for Chiang Mai residents. In terms of healthcare, the 5G technology has been adopted as the model for the Smart Hospital Project.
This partnership is a milestone in CMU’s transformation into an ever-evolving, future ready institution that utilizes digital technology to add value to the benefits of mankind, society and the environment.