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CMU President Emphasizes Social Impact as a Key Mission of Universities at Impact Together Forum 2026

5 November 2026
Corporate Communication and Alumni Relations Center (CCARC)
Prof. Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, M.D., Ph.D., President of Chiang Mai University, delivered a keynote address titled “Leading with Impact: Connecting Knowledge and Partnerships for National Transformation” at the international conference Impact Together Forum 2026 (ITF2026), held from November 2–4, 2026, at the NSP Rice Grain Auditorium, Science and Technology Park, Chiang Mai University (CMU STeP).

The forum was organized by Social Value Thailand, in collaboration with Social Value International (SVI), Chiang Mai University, and international partners. It aimed to advance the Social Impact Ecosystem through initiatives such as Social Return on Investment (SROI), in which CMU plays a leading role at both national and international levels. The forum also promoted the UNDP SDG Impact Standards and the new ISO/UNDP 53001:2026 Management Systems for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This was the first global knowledge-sharing event organized by SVI following the launch of the standard by UNDP and SVI in Paris, France, on September 28, 2026.

In his keynote address, the CMU President raised a question from the taxpayers’ perspective: When the government invests substantial resources in higher education, how does society benefit, and how does it improve people’s quality of life? Reporting the number of graduates, research outputs, or university rankings alone cannot fully answer this question. Universities must therefore place the desired social impact at the center of their mission and design their curricula, teaching, and research accordingly.

He also highlighted CMU’s direction toward becoming an Inclusive Innovation University, guided by the concept of “CMU Role Model toward Real World Impact.” He shared examples of initiatives that have generated tangible results:

CMU Biomass and Waste Management: The integrated biomass management center, operated by the Nakornping Energy Research Institute, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 10,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

CMU Rice Model: The Lanna Rice Research Center develops high-nutritional-value Lanna rice varieties, increasing the value of rice from THB 7–12 to THB 22–150 per kilogram. Its participatory rice straw management initiative also generates income for farmers while reducing open burning.

In closing, the CMU President encouraged all organizations to shift their focus from asking, “What can our organization gain?” to “What can society gain?” When society and the country benefit, organizations will ultimately benefit as well.

The forum also featured presentations and discussions among representatives from educational institutions, government agencies, and the private sector in Thailand and abroad, along with knowledge-sharing sessions and research presentations on Social Impact Measurement and Management. These activities built on collaborative work undertaken by CMU, SVI, Social Value Thailand (SVTH), and their partners.

Participants also took part in study visits showcasing CMU Role Models in three areas: Future Foods at CMU Biopolis; Climate Adaptation in Mae Taeng District, led by the AcAir CMU team; and the Creative Economy, featuring efforts to advance Chiang Mai toward UNESCO World Heritage recognition at Khum Chao Burirat (Maha In), led by the Faculty of Architecture and the Chiang Mai World Heritage Working Group.
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