The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) office, organized the second “RU CONNEXT: Bridging Thai Research to Real-World Application (Southern Region)” event from August 31 to September 1, 2025. The delegation, led by TSRI Director Prof. Sompong Klaynongsruang and Deputy Director Prof. Wissanu Mee-yu—accompanied by other TSRI executives and representatives from Program Management Units (PMUs)—visited Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) to review research outcomes developed under the national Science, Research, and Innovation (SRI) plan. The visit included discussions on strategies to bridge research and innovation efforts toward practical application, in alignment with TSRI’s policy goals. The delegation also toured laboratories focused on modern automotive systems and clean energy technology, as well as engineering and machinery facilities at the Faculty of Engineering, RUTS.
Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, represented by President Prof. Suwat Thanyaros, Vice President Asst. Prof. Apirak Songrak, and their administrative team and staff, participated in the opening ceremony of the “RU CONNEXT: Bridging Thai Research to Real-World Application (Southern Region)” event at the Southern Science Park. The program included a session to exchange insights on high-potential research and innovation projects. The initiative also serves as a platform to discuss strategies for leveraging research and innovation—economically, socially, spatially, and in terms of policy—while facilitating the exchange of approaches to translate research and innovation outcomes into tangible economic value.
The “RU CONNEXT” activity plays a vital role in advancing the nation’s Science, Research, and Innovation (SRI) system. Through regional engagement, it fosters a deeper understanding and gathers insights from local stakeholders. It provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge and strategies for utilizing research and innovation, while identifying high-potential projects from universities across various regions. Furthermore, it encourages the scaling of research and innovation through international collaboration. The primary objective is to unite stakeholders within the SRI ecosystem—including the public sector, private sector, academic institutions, and civil society—to drive research and innovation toward concrete benefits for the nation’s economy, society, and environment. This involves cultivating a new research ecosystem and creating business opportunities, enabling the development of new ventures based on research and innovation that generate significant positive impacts—ranging from small-scale enterprises to large-scale industries. Additionally, the initiative aims to communicate the value of SRI outcomes to interested parties across all sectors, ultimately fostering greater adoption and utilization.
Related Links / Supporting Evidence:
https://rdi.rmutsv.ac.th/ruts/2025/09/02/18838/
Information Provider: Asst.Prof.Dr.Arrisa Sopajarn, Asst.Prof.Supitchaya Boonkuer, Piriya Soikaew