Chulalongkorn University, Cornell University Strengthen Research and Academic Collaboration

Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, together with the university’s executives, welcomed a delegation from Cornell University led by Prof. Wendy Wolford, Vice Provost for International Affairs at the reception room on the 2nd floor of Chamchuri 4 Building. The purpose of this visit was to explore opportunities for expanding research collaboration and academic exchange between the two institutions.

Before the main discussion between the President of Chulalongkorn University and the Vice Provost of Cornell University took place, representatives from both sides participated in a small-group session held in Room 202 of the Chamchuri 4 Building. Deans and faculty members from Chula’s Faculties of Psychology, Political Science, Economics, Engineering, Arts, Science, and Commerce and Accountancy, presented their research strengths and international programs to the Cornell delegation. The session included knowledge sharing, mutual exchange of information, and discussions on future research partnerships. The two sides also addressed student exchange initiatives, with the goal of increasing the number of exchange students between the universities.

Following the discussions, executives from both universities attended a luncheon at Chula Naruemit House, joined by Chulalongkorn faculty members who are Cornell alumni, as well as members of the Cornell Club of Thailand.

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/231438/

UNAIR Communications lecturer named Deputy Permanent Delegate of Indonesia to UNESCO

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again achieved international recognition with the appointment of IGAK Satrya Wibawa SSos MCA PhD, a lecturer in the Department of Communications, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), as Deputy Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Indonesia to UNESCO. This prestigious appointment highlights his professional and academic qualifications while further enhancing UNAIR’s global reputation.

Embracing significant responsibility
In an interview on Monday, January 20, 2025, Wibawa expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him, recognizing the weight of the responsibility. “This appointment signifies a deep level of trust, both in me personally and in Universitas Airlangga. It is a mission I must carry out with utmost dedication. My success in this role will ultimately be judged by my superiors, the public, and the relevant stakeholders,” he remarked.

The selection process was conducted internally by the Secretariat General, but Wibawa’s acceptance involved careful consultation with his family and colleagues at UNAIR’s Department of Communications.

“My family plays a vital role in every major career decision. Relocating abroad is not just my journey—it also involves my family, particularly my children, who will need to adapt to a new environment. While it is challenging to leave my extended UNAIR Communications family, I hope this opportunity will generate broader benefits for the communities I serve,” he explained.

Advocating for Indonesia’s cultural heritage
With a solid academic foundation in communications and extensive experience in international relations, Wibawa is well-equipped for his new role. Previously, he served as Education Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore and played a key role in establishing UNAIR’s Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE) office.

“This experience has honed my ability to navigate multilateral communication across countries and cultures. I believe effective policies stem from strong interpersonal communication. Moreover, I plan to leverage digital media as a primary tool to engage with UNESCO stakeholders,” he stated.

Wibawa also underscored the importance of preserving Indonesia’s cultural heritage, such as batik and Reog Ponorogo, both recognized by UNESCO. “The next priority is to implement UNESCO’s directives to preserve these cultural assets. This includes supporting local artists and encouraging youth involvement in cultural associations. As Indonesia’s representative, I aim to advance and capitalize on our prior achievements,” he added.

Urgency of global engagement
Addressing UNAIR’s students and faculty, Wibawa emphasized the critical need for international engagement. He noted Indonesia’s rich natural and cultural resources and urged the country to shift from being mere consumers to becoming producers who can influence global markets.

“International involvement is not just about appearances but about contributing actively to global issues. Let us collaborate, engage in dialogue, and take concrete action to address the world’s pressing challenges,” he concluded.

National Taiwan University Identifies N-Cadherin as a Key Regulator of Cardiac Regeneration, Published in Nature Communications

Heart failure affects 23 million people globally, with limited treatment options. Unlike adult human hearts, which lack regenerative capacity, neonatal hearts retain the ability to repair damage. A research team led by Professor Kai-Jen Yang at NTU’s Institute of Pharmacology discovered that N-Cadherin, a neural cadherin protein, plays a crucial role in cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart regeneration.

Their study found that N-Cadherin levels are 2–3 times higher in neonatal cardiomyocytes than in adults and decline with age. Following heart injury, N-Cadherin expression increased, promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation. Loss of N-Cadherin reduced regeneration, while its overexpression reactivated cell cycling in adult mouse hearts, improving cardiac function post-myocardial infarction.

Mechanistically, N-Cadherin binds to β-Catenin, stabilizing its protein levels and activating Wnt signaling, which regulates genes essential for cardiac repair. These findings suggest that modulating N-Cadherin could serve as a novel heart failure therapy.

UNAIR and UTM Malaysia develop solar panel project

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), through the Word University Association for Community Development (WUACD), has partnered with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to launch a community service initiative. This program, part of the Community Service (KKN) Equivalency Program, took place in Licin District, Banyuwangi Regency, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

A key focus of the initiative was training local farmers on the assembly and application of solar panels to power an automated irrigation system. Muhammad Aiman, a UTM student, highlighted that solar energy technology provides farmers with an efficient and sustainable means to maintain soil fertility while reducing costs. To date, this technology has been successfully implemented in Jelun Village and Banjar Village.

“This initiative has received highly positive feedback from the local community. Residents appreciate the technology as it helps reduce dependence on conventional electricity, which is more expensive,” Aiman noted.

In addition to promoting renewable energy, the program also included a creative skills workshop for children in Banjar Village, where they learned how to weave bracelets. Aiman explained that this activity, guided by both UNAIR and UTM students, provided an engaging and enriching experience for the children.

“The children showed great enthusiasm throughout the bracelet-making process and eagerly displayed their handmade creations to the community. Village officials and residents warmly welcomed this initiative, recognizing its direct benefits in fostering agricultural sustainability and enhancing children’s creativity,” he stated.

Aiman emphasized that the community service program has provided him with valuable hands-on experience in educating communities about self-sufficient technological solutions. He also underscored the broader impact of the collaboration between UNAIR and UTM Malaysia, which extends beyond technological advancement to skill development and creative enrichment.

“Programs like this encourage further innovation, equipping communities with practical solutions to improve various aspects of daily life,” he concluded.

KazNMU Sets the Pace for a Healthy Nation: Celebrating World Health Day with Unity, Movement, and Purpose

On April 7, 2025, in celebration of World Health Day, the S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU) once again demonstrated its role as a national leader in promoting a culture of wellness and active living. In a vibrant and uplifting series of events, the university brought together students, faculty, and healthcare professionals in a shared commitment to health — not only as a field of study, but as a lived, everyday practice.

From the early hours of the morning, Karagaily Park and the square in front of the Rector’s Office were filled with energy, music, and movement. Participants of all ages and roles within the university community — from enthusiastic students to professors and staff — came together in a dynamic flashmob-style morning workout. This lively gathering created a powerful atmosphere of unity, motivation, and vitality. With every synchronized stretch and coordinated movement, the event sent a strong message: that health is born in motion, that energy arises from community, and that wellness is a habit, not a coincidence.

The initiative didn’t stop in the central locations. Across all university clinics, healthcare professionals stepped out of their usual settings and into open public spaces to participate in morning workouts of their own. Dressed in scrubs, lab coats, and sportswear, they proved by example that even those who care for others must care for themselves first. These outdoor activities weren’t just symbolic — they were sincere efforts to model a lifestyle that prioritizes health as a conscious, daily choice. By doing so, they reminded the public that medical professionals are not only caregivers but also role models in the ongoing pursuit of wellness.

At KazNMU, the message is clear: health is not just something we talk about — it’s something we embody. Sport is more than just physical movement; it is a path toward resilience, clarity, and sustainability, both personally and professionally. This understanding is deeply rooted in the university’s philosophy, where education and healthy living go hand in hand. The World Health Day celebration served not only as an opportunity to raise awareness but also as an invitation to make movement a meaningful and lasting part of everyday life.

This day also served as a reminder that, in a world increasingly dominated by screens and sedentary routines, the simple act of moving our bodies together can be revolutionary. It is a way of reclaiming energy, reconnecting with ourselves, and reinforcing a shared commitment to a better, healthier future. Each participant, through their presence and effort, contributed to something greater — a collective spirit that transcends a single day or event.

KazNMU extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who joined this initiative, who inspired others by showing up, and who proved that change begins with small, consistent actions. The hope is that this celebration will spark a new tradition — one that replaces passivity with purpose, and routine with ritual. Let this morning’s workout be more than a memory; let it be the beginning of a movement — one that continues to grow with each step, stretch, and smile.

Today, KazNMU didn’t just host an event. It set a rhythm. A rhythm of responsibility, of unity, of proactive care for the body and mind. The university reminded everyone that health is not seasonal or situational — it is the foundation of everything else we strive for. Through shared movement and mutual support, KazNMU painted a vivid picture of what a healthy nation can look like — one step, one heartbeat, one community at a time.

As World Health Day comes to a close, what remains is the uplifting energy of participation, the joy of movement, and the shared hope that this momentum will carry forward into every day that follows. May this event be remembered not only as a celebration but as a call — a personal victory over inertia, and a collective step toward a future where health is lived, not just learned.

Truth About Dengue: How Accurate Are Global Disease Estimates?

As dengue fever continues to rise globally, accurate data on disease burden is essential for informed public health planning and resource allocation. A recent study led by Professor Wei-Cheng Lo of Taipei Medical University examines discrepancies between the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) estimates and reported dengue case data in 30 high-burden countries, calling attention to the need for improved methodologies in disease modeling.

Understanding the Gaps in Global Estimates

The study compared GBD’s model-generated dengue estimates with official surveillance data from countries including Brazil, India, Indonesia, China, and Taiwan. The findings revealed substantial differences: in some instances, GBD estimates were several hundred times higher than reported cases. For instance, in China and India, the GBD estimated 570 and 303 times more cases, respectively, than national health data indicated.

In countries like Taiwan and Argentina, where dengue outbreaks vary dramatically by year, GBD figures showed relatively steady trends, potentially overlooking the episodic nature of epidemic spikes.

Modeling Assumptions and Their Limitations

The observed discrepancies are linked to how the GBD constructs its estimates. These models account for underreporting by adjusting data based on known limitations in surveillance systems. However, many of these adjustments rely on data collected before 2010. In locations where diagnostic tools and case reporting have significantly improved in recent years—such as Taiwan—current estimates may not reflect these advancements.

Additionally, the smoothing algorithms used to illustrate long-term trends may downplay sharp increases in case numbers during outbreak years, especially in regions with cyclic epidemic patterns.

Implications for Public Health Policy

Reliable disease estimates are a crnerstone of health policy and planning. When estimates deviate significantly from local data, they can influence policy decisions and funding allocation. This study emphasizes the importance of aligning global modeling with recent,country-specific data to better support public health decision-making.

Recommendations for Improved Disease Burden Modeling

The authors advocate for more frequent updates to global health models and greater integration of real-time surveillance and diagnostic advancements. They also suggest that future models incorporate the cyclical behavior of diseases like dengue to better capture the reality of epidemic patterns.

Broader Considerations

While this research focuses on dengue, it raises important considerations for global disease burden estimation more broadly. Refining modeling approaches across disease areas will support more effective global health strategies and ensure resources are targeted where they are most needed.

TUSU Advances Global Education Opportunities by Hosting ‘Thammasat World Study Fest 2025’

The Thammasat World Study Fest 2025, organized by the Thammasat University Student Union (TUSU), aims to promote learning beyond the classroom and highlight educational and career pathways.

Thammasat University Student Union (TUSU) organized the “Thammasat World Study Fest 2025” to promote educational and career opportunities at an international level, emphasizing the importance of learning beyond the confines of the classroom. Key skills for the future, such as analytical thinking, creativity, cultural understanding, and AI technology, will serve as keys to success in personal and professional development. This initiative aims to broaden learners’ perspectives on acquiring essential skills for the 21st century and prepare them for a changing world. The event featured a keynote speech by Mr. Narut Vichayanan, a senior diplomat from Devawongse Varopakarn Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on March 3, 2025, at the Puey Learning Park, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus.

Associate Professor Dr. Dumrong Adunyarittigun, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at Thammasat University, stated that the changing world necessitates our adaptation to keep pace with it. This includes the ability to think analytically, create new things, understand global cultures, manage finances, and comprehend emerging technologies such as AI. These skills are no longer just advantages; they are essential. Such competencies will be crucial factors in determining the drivers of change.

“Thammasat University has always believed that learning should not be confined to the classroom. Knowledge grows from experiences, diverse perspectives, and lifelong self-development. I urge all students to seize this opportunity for inspiration and to embrace new experiences to collectively create a future without limits,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dumrong.

Theeradol Phongdontri, President of TUSU and Chairman of the Student Federation of Thailand, stated that international education serves as the foundation for development in both personal and professional realms. It provides individuals with the opportunity to absorb diverse cultures, broaden their perspectives, and enhance essential 21st-century skills such as creativity, cross-cultural communication, and adaptability. These skills are not only keys to success but also tools for creating meaningful change in an interconnected world. The event includes a panel discussion on the topic “Studying Abroad,” featuring speakers Dr. Theerarat Samrejvanich, Deputy Minister of the Interior, Ms. Karnkanit Haewsantati, Assistant Secretary to the Deputy Minister of the Interior, and Dr. Jessada Salathong. Additionally, there will be a discussion on “Working in Fields Related to Foreign Affairs,” led by Professor Sujane Kanparit. The event will also showcase performances from various student clubs at Thammasat University and the Russian Dance Academy, along with booths from organizations and agencies related to studying abroad.

Chula President Visits Thailand’s Ambassador to Spain to Strengthen Thai-Spanish Educational Ties

Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, together with Assistant Professor Dr. Ake Pattaratanakun, Head of the Marketing Department, Chulalongkorn Business School, and University Spokesperson, led a delegation of faculty members and executives from Chulalongkorn University to meet with Mr. Vosit Vorasup, Ambassador of Thailand to Spain, and his spouse at the Thai Ambassador’s Residence in Madrid.

The meeting covered a wide range of topics including developments and changes in education and the economy, as well as opportunities for collaboration between Thailand and Spain. Particular emphasis was placed on higher education institutions, especially Chulalongkorn University, which has maintained strong and ongoing relationships with academic institutions in Spain and aims to elevate Thailand’s role on the global education stage.

Following the discussion, the Chulalongkorn delegation was honored with a warm dinner reception at the Ambassador’s Residence, attended by distinguished members of the Thai Embassy in Madrid, including Captain Yutthanawee Mungthanya, Naval Attaché (Acting Military Attaché), and his spouse.

This visit highlights the shared commitment of both institutions to fostering international collaboration and advancing Thailand’s educational presence on the world stage.

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/231501/

Kyiv Polytechnic team takes first place in international cybersecurity competition

The DCUA team from the Technical Information Security laboratory at the Institute of Physics and Technology of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute took first place in the Hackfinity Battle CTF (Capture The Flag) 2025 – a large cybersecurity competition that brought together more than 4,300 teams and over 24,000 participants from around the world.

Kyiv Polytechnic’s victorious team included Dmytro Kryhin, Oleksii Bondarenko, David Shanidze, Volodymyr Duduladenko, and Yurii Prykhodko.

Teams solved practical cybersecurity challenges in diverse areas of knowledge that allowed participants to put their skills to test. Each challenge had one or more flags (a string of text) that served as proof of achieving the expected goal. Teams earned score points for captured flags.

The competition was held online via the TryHackMe (THM) platform. The DCUA team secured a $1,000 cash prize, while each team player also received Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), a 12-month THM subscription, a SAL1 Exam voucher, and other prizes.

In a digital age when Russia attempts to destabilise European countries with acts of terrorism, sabotage and cyber-attacks, the triumph of Kyiv Polytechnic’s DCUA team signals not only technical brilliance but also the rising talent of Ukraine’s next generation of cyber guardians.

Breakthrough in Materials Science: AI Reveals Secrets of Dendritic Growth in Thin Films

Dendritic structures that emerge during the growth of thin films are a major obstacle in large-area fabrication, a key step towards commercialization. However, current methods of studying dendrites involve crude visual inspection and subjective analysis. Moreover, growth optimization methods for controlling dendrite formation require extensive trial and error. Now, researchers have developed a new AI model that incorporates topology analysis and free energy to reveal the specific conditions and mechanisms that drive dendrite branching.

Thin film devices, composed of layers of materials a few nanometers thick, play an important role in various technologies, from semiconductors to communication technologies. For instance, graphene and hexagonal-boron nitride (h-BN) multilayer thin films, deposited on copper substrates, are promising materials for next-generation high-speed communications systems. Thin films are grown by depositing tiny layers of materials onto a substrate. The growth process conditions significantly influence the microstructure of these films, which in turn influences their function and performance.

Dendritic structures, or tree-like branching patterns that emerge during growth, pose a major challenge to large-area fabrication of thin-film devices, a key step toward commercial application. They are commonly observed in materials like copper, graphene, and borophene, particularly in the early growth stage and multilayer films. Since the microstructure directly impacts device performance, reducing dendritic formation is, therefore, critical. However, methods for studying dendrites have largely relied on crude visual analysis and subjective interpretation. Understanding the conditions that drive dendritic branching is essential for optimizing the thin-film growth process, but existing approaches often require considerable trial and error.

To address these challenges, a research team, led by Professor Masato Kotsugi from the Department of Material Science and Technology at Tokyo University of Science (TUS), Japan, developed an innovative explainable artificial intelligence (AI) model for analyzing dendritic structures. The team included Misato Tone, also from TUS, and Ippei Obayashi from Okayama University. The team developed a novel method that bridges structure and process in dendritic growth by integrating persistent homology and machine learning with energy analysis. “Our approach provides new insights into growth mechanisms and offers a powerful, data-driven pathway for optimizing thin-film fabrication,” explains Prof. Kotsugi. Their study was published online in Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods on March 7, 2025.

To analyze the morphology of dendrite structures, the team used a cutting-edge topology method called persistent homology (PH). PH enables multiscale analysis of holes and connections within geometric structures, capturing the complex topological features of the tree-like dendrite microstructures that conventional image processing techniques often overlook.

The researchers combined PH with principal component analysis (PCA), a machine learning technique. Through PCA, the essential features of the dendrite morphology extracted via PH were reduced to a two-dimensional space. This enabled the team to quantify structural changes in dendrites and establish a relationship between these changes and Gibbs free energy, or the energy available in a material that influences how dendrites form during crystal growth. By analyzing this relationship, they uncovered the specific conditions and hidden growth mechanisms that influence dendritic branching. Prof. Kotsugi explains, “Our framework quantitatively maps dendritic morphology to Gibbs free energy variations, revealing energy gradients that drive branching behavior.”

To validate their approach, the researchers studied dendrite growth in a hexagonal copper substrate and compared their results with data from phase-field simulations.

“By integrating topology and free energy, our method offers a versatile approach to material analysis. Through this integration, we can establish a hierarchical connection between atomic-scale microstructures and macroscopic functionalities across a wide range of materials, paving the way for future advancements in material science,” remarks Prof. Kotsugi. “Importantly, our method could lead to the development of high-quality thin-film devices leading to high-speed communication beyond 5G.”

This study’s framework could pave the way for breakthroughs in sensor technology, nonequilibrium physics, and high-performance materials by uncovering hidden structure-function relationships and advancing complex system analysis.