Chiang Mai:The President of Chiang Mai University, Professor Dr. Pongrak Sribanditmongkol, emphasized the importance of societal gain during the Impact Together Forum 2026. He urged organizations to focus on the question, "What will society gain?" as a means to drive collective benefits for both society and organizations.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Pongrak delivered a keynote speech on "Leading Change with Impact Connecting Knowledge and Collaboration to Transform the Nation" at the international conference organized by Social Value Thailand and Social Value International, among others. The event, held at the NSP Rice Grain Auditorium, aimed to enhance the social impact ecosystem, emphasizing assessments such as the social return on investment (SROI).
The forum highlighted the role of Chiang Mai University in advancing these efforts, including the development of standards for assessing impacts on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This was part of the first educational event by Social Value International following its launch in Paris. Dr. Pongrak also questioned the impact of government investments in higher education on societal improvement, advocating for universities to prioritize societal impact in their curricula and research.
Examples of impactful projects from Chiang Mai University were showcased, such as the CMU Biomass and Waste Management Center, which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and the development of high-nutrition Lanna rice varieties that increase economic value for farmers. The forum also featured exchanges of views from various sectors and study visits to CMU Role Model sites, further illustrating the university's commitment to real-world impact and sustainability.