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Tag: Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation

ScII partners with BOL for scholarships, robotics lab and joint research

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The Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII) and Business Online Public Company Limited (BOL) have partnered to collaborate on joint research and business projects, with BOL also providing scholarships and donating equipment to the ScII Robotics Lab.

BOL President and CEO Director and Executive Chairman Jack Min Intanate signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ScII Executive Director Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai on February 2, 2022. The company recently announced it would donate robotics equipment to ScII and begin offering scholarships to students.

BOL will help establish a Robotics Lab at ScII premises in addition to making a THB 500,000 donation to procure additional lab equipment. Additionally, BOL will provide two partial scholarships for talented international students to study at ScII for a total of THB 1,768,000 to cover tuition fees for a four-year period.

Dr. Natcha Thawesaengskulthai, Vice President for Strategic Planning, Innovation and Global Engagement at Chulalongkorn University, stated that the two partners would focus on joint research and on funding potential business projects. In addition to working on establishing a scholarship program for ScII students, BOL will support students through internships and training. “As Thailand’s leading university, Chulalongkorn University aims to become a model institute of education, setting the standard as a university of innovations for society and focusing on three social development core principles: preparing future leaders, developing impactful research and innovation, and advocating social sustainability,” Dr. Natcha added.

Prof. Worsak stated that ScII’s Bachelor’s in Arts and Science in Integrated Innovation (BAScii) program was possibly the first of its kind in Asia to offer a transdisciplinary platform for talented students, encompassing engineering, science, entrepreneurship, liberal arts, and social science. ScII will thus play a significant role in Chulalongkorn University’s digital transformation, allowing it to play a vital role in society by developing a cohesive digital ecosystem.

Prof. Worsak mentioned that the partnership with BOL has already been activated by a jointly conducted project proposal for the Revenue Department of the Kingdom of Thailand led by ScII faculty member Dr. Poomjai Nacaskul.

BOL CEO Executive Chairman Jack Min Intanate stressed the importance of emerging technologies and emphasized the need to engage young people to research and explore these technologies for the benefit of society. Motivated by this desire, CEO Mr. Min confirmed that the company is donating laboratory and robotics equipment to ScII. The company will also help establish a laboratory with robotics equipment at ScII. BOL also announced the creation of a scholarship program,to be known as BOL4BAScii, which will provide ScII students with the opportunity to study and work closely with BOL.

Dr. Pietro Borsano, ScII Deputy Executive Director (Industrial and Global Alliances), who hosted the event, mentioned that the agreement signing would trigger the broadening of a research and development network with leading national and international academic institutions, higher education organizations, and corporations, starting with a joint project to establish an internationally qualified ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) score and certification for Thai SMEs, to promote their role as part of the international supply chain.

Chula’s newest school becomes Thailand’s first educational institute to achieve ISO 56002 certification

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Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII) has achieved the prestigious ISO 56002 Certification, the first institution to do so in Thailand and perhaps the whole region. ISO’s elusive certification effectively recognizes our Innovation Management system along with the practices introduced by ScII, of which the Bachelor’s Degree of Arts and Science in Integrated Innovation (BAScii) has been the talk of the town since its inception three years ago as an academy for the future.

ScII was officially conferred this status on October 23, 2021, when Ms. Punnee Angsusingha, President of the Management System Certification Institute (MASCI), handed over the ISO 56002–2019 certificate to Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Executive Director of ScII at a ceremony witnessed by Professor Bundhit Eua-arporn, President of Chulalongkorn University.

“The ISO aligns flawlessly with our recently established School of Integrated Innovation as it sees a gap in the current education system and aims to be disruptive towards the traditional categories of disciplines by availing itself of its professors’ expertise and creativity and constantly seeking the attainment of collaborative partnerships with the growing community of ScII industry Partners,” Prof. Bundhit noted. “The ISO certificate recognizes the School’s accomplishment in fulfilling the requisite measures and acknowledges that we have progressed in the right direction, with the right approach and the right people,” he added.

Tracing ScII’s Journey to Achieving ISO 56002 Certification, Professor Worsak said: “ScII deployed five strategies to achieve this goal: creating market-ready innovations, focusing on digital technology and entrepreneurship as the core areas of its curriculum, equipping students with 21st-century skills, emphasizing internationality, and creating an open-platform ecosystem for collaborations.

An evaluation of our Information Management began more than a year ago, with the first evaluation being conducted in June 2020. Following this was the development of a Document Management System, culminating in its implementation in November 2021. The audit process began in December 2020 and concluded with verification by MASCI and finally the official award of the ISO 56002– 2019 certificate on 6th October 2021.

Dr. Natcha Thawesaengskulthai, Vice President for Strategic Planning, Innovation and Global Engagement at Chulalongkorn University, and Associate Professor Damron Thawesaengkulthai, who advised ScII during the entire ISO process attended the ceremony along with ScII staff and representatives of MASCI.

Despite this success, ScII’s certification does not mean that its activities have been limited to the Innovation Management System since it also encompasses quality management, risk management, auditing management, and a collaboration with the Chulalongkorn University Intellectual Property Institute.

“Its success in achieving this landmark can be attributed in part to the fact that ScII focuses on providing its students with entrepreneurial mindsets and innovation development skills as well as digital and technological knowledge,” said Dr. Ronnakorn Vaiyavuth and Dr. Pakjira Leelertphan, who together managed the process on behalf of ScII.

“By establishing an innovation management system in accordance with ISO 56002–2019, ScII has demonstrated to its stakeholders that it has implemented a strategy for its sustainable long-term growth through innovation,” Prof. Worsak said.

“By implementing this innovative management system, the School aims to achieve its goals in line with the University’s slogan Innovations for Society,” he added.

International Faculty hub established at Chula to attract young global talent in post-COVID era

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Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII) has established a post-COVID International Faculty Hub comprising of promising global scholars who have demonstrated an aptitude for solving novel problems creatively.

The School has already brought on board three international faculty members, one each from North America, Europe, and Asia, and it is actively seeking to induct a second cohort in 2022. Known as “Global Innovator Faculty Towards Early-Career Development (GIFTED) Faculty Scholars” awards, these will be prestigious global appointments that will attract top talent from around the world and bring the most recent knowledge from their respective fields,” says Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Executive Director of ScII.

“Each year, we will welcome top scholars from around the globe, and this facility will benefit Thailand’s emergence as a magnet for innovative technology experts,” said Prof. Worsak.

The GIFTED program also celebrates the second century of Chulalongkorn University, Thailand’s premier and most prestigious university. As Prof. Worsak commented, “It only makes sense that ScII, Chulalongkorn University’s newest faculty, should pilot this program.”

Chulalongkorn is pioneering the concept by combining young, energetic rising stars with local experts with years of experience for the benefit of international students. Eventually, the School will serve as a global hub for incubating startups for economic and societal benefits in the region.

The process of selecting the 2021 GIFTED scholars proved demanding because the pool of candidates showed considerable diversity in their expertise along with excellent academic credentials, Professor Worsak added.

The initial GIFTED Faculty cohort is made up of three scholars: Dr. Yon Jung Choi from South Korea, Dr Lisa Kenney from the United States, and Dr. Christopher Dixon from the United Kingdom. The three appointees were chosen from a pool of over 80 applicants representing 24 countries on all continents.

Following the recruitment of three faculty members in July 2021, the University has now issued a second call for exceptional GIFTED Faculty. Prof. Worsak said, “We need entrepreneurs, technologists, and people who are creative and love the challenges of our disruptive world. Recently minted PhDs who are creative problem solvers are the best candidates.”

GIFTED will be announced each year and will be specifically designed to attract the most talented and ambitious students whose academic track record demonstrates the potential to have a significant impact on today’s world.

Dr. Yon Jung Choi, who comes to ScII after a stint as a policy fellow at the Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy at George Mason University, describes innovation as a “powerful tool to bring forth genuine changes in society by challenging pre-developed perceptions and boundaries.”

Excited at the GIFTED Scholar Award, she adds: “My passion is to invigorate students to achieve skills, knowledge, and mindsets to become innovators across fields in business, government, and civil society.” Her recent publications include topics in ethics in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, collaborative governance for pandemic management, and social innovation for community development.

“I am eager to see Thailand succeed as a leader in innovation,” remarked Dr. Lisa Kenney, who was earlier a Fulbright Fellow at Chulalongkorn University and has also served as a Smart Mobility Advisor with the Greater Buffalo Niagara Region Transportation Council. “I am excited by the opportunity to train the next generation and help make Chulalongkorn University a global leader in innovation education and applied research,” she added.

“The GIFTED program aligns with my approach to teaching, which is to provide students with real-world experience and theoretical foundations through a transdisciplinary lens because modern challenges do not exist in silos, nor do their solutions.”

Dr. Christopher Dixon, who studied Chemical Engineering in the UK, found his calling in process simulation, optimization, and machine learning. “I am excited to work at ScII on new and exciting projects and train the next generation to develop innovative ideas that will make an impact globally,” Chris said.

The theme for this year’s call is “Digital Economy, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Health and Wellbeing Innovation.” The 2022 cohort of GIFTED Faculty Members will receive a one-time grant of 1 million baht.

ScII’s professor ranked top scientist in Thailand in Entrepreneurship, and Business Management

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One of the faculty members of Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII), the youngest School in Chulalongkorn University, Professor Agachai Sumalee has been ranked the top scientist in Thailand in two fields — Entrepreneurship, and Business and Management, according to the Alpher-Doger Scientific Index 2021 released in August 2021.

Besides being at the top in two fields, Prof Agachai, who specializes in Smart City Design, Intelligence Transport Systems, and Operations Research, is also ranked among the top 10 faculty members at Chulalongkorn and the top 50 in Thailand in overall rankings.

With over 5900 citations, an H-index of 44, and an i-10 index of 92, Professor Agachai’s work is widely recognised and acknowledged for its innovation and entrepreneurship. “It is heartening to receive such recognition from my research.

The real value of research is its positive impact on our life and society,” Professor Agachai said. This is SCII’s and my main mission — to ensure that our research and innovations contribute to the achievement of SDG goals for both Chulalongkorn University and our society, he added.

The AD Scientific Index or the Alper-Doger Scientific Index is a ranking and analysis system based on the scientific performance and the added value of the scientific productivity of individual scientists. It uses the total and the last five-year productivity coefficients of scientists based on the h-index and i10 index scores and citations in Google Scholar. It positions itself as both academic ranking and analysis results.

New school board takes over at Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation

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A new Board has now assumed office at the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation. The 11-member Board includes representatives from academia, business, the social sector, and public life as well as subject experts who have made a mark in their respective fields.

The new Board held its first meeting on August 11, 2021, replacing the previous Board, which guided the School during its inception stage. The tenure of the Board is two years. The Board plays the role of guide and mentor in charting the course of the newly established School of Integrated Innovation (ScII).

The Board is headed by the President of Chulalongkorn University, Professor Bundhit Eua-arporn, and includes five other members of Chulalongkorn University, including Vice President for Strategic Planning, Innovation and Global Engagement Assoc. Prof. Natcha Thawesaengskulthai; Director of the Sasin School of Management Professor Ian Fenwick; ScII Executive Director Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai (Member Secretary); Assoc. Prof. Jittichai Rudjanakanoknad of the Faculty of Engineering; and Santhaya Kittikowit, Assistant to the President for Innovation Affairs Innovation, the latter two also due to serve as Assistant Secretaries to the Board.

External Members include:

  • Ms Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul (Current Positions – Chair, Board of Kasikorn Bank, Chair, Toshiba Thailand Company Limited, Director, Thai Toshiba Lighting Company Limited, Director, Thai Toshiba Electric Industries Company Limited)
  • Mr Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi (Director, President, and CEO, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, Director and Chair of the Executive Committee, Univentures Public Company Limited, Independent Director, Siam Cement Public Company Limited, Director, Fraser and Neave Limited , Director, Thai Group Holdings Public Company Limited, Vice Chair and Chair of the Executive Committee, Amarin Printing and Publishing Public Company Limited,  Member of the Advisory Board, Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Chulalongkorn University).
  • Mr Pichet Sithi-Amnuai (Vice Chair, Stock Exchange of Thailand, Board Member, Bualuang Securities Public Company Limited, President, Bualuang Securities Public Company Limited, Board Member, Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations, Chair, Association of Thai Securities Companies).
  • Dato’ Steve Cheah  (Advisor, BerliJucker Public Company Limited, Former Advisor, Thailand Board of Trade (Thai Chamber of Commerce), Head of Mission, Diplomatic Council (UN reg) to CLMTV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand & Vietnam), Chair, Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Thailand, Former Chair, SME Committee, Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce Thailand, Founding Director, Mexican-Thai and Brazil-Thai Chambers of Commerce).
  • Mr. Barak Sharabi (Founder, Infinity Technologies, Former Head of Economic & Trade Mission, Israeli Embassy to Thailand, covering Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia, Former Israeli Air Force, Founder of SPHERE 8 Company, Thailand, Founder of SPHERE 8 Finder, a Thailand-based Technology & Innovation portal and partner of the Israel Startup Nation Central Global Finder, Co-Founder of SPARK, Thailand National Startups Accelerator, National Innovation Agency (NIA), Co-Founder of Corporate SPARK, Thailand National Corporate Innovation Program, National Innovation Agency NIA).

Berkeley partnership provides Chula students opportunity to innovate with Silicon Valley giants

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A newly signed partnership between the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII) and the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET) of the University of California Berkeley will furnish opportunities for Asian students to initiate start-up projects to innovate alongside Silicon Valley giants.

This partnership brings ScII students and faculty face-to-face with the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem. In addition, they will participate in the Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, Silicon Valley Innovation Leadership Program, and Engineering Leadership Global Hybrid Program.

Furthermore, the partnership facilitates the transfer of knowledge related to SCET teaching methodologies, such as Innovation Engineering and the Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship (BMoE).

Signing the agreement on September 2, 2021, ScII Executive Director Professor Worsak Kanok Nukulchai invited SCET faculty members to offer online courses for ScII students as a customized course or to allow our students to take their courses online with credits transfer, which could lead to the development of an international online platform for all SCET’s international partners.

We are pursuing a long-term partnership because ScII and Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology share the same vision, Prof. Worsak noted.

“We have the same passion and are two vital forces contributing to the sustainable future of humanity.”

Worsak also noted that both SCET and ScII are founding members of the League of Global Entrepreneurship Programs alongside MIT Legatum, Stanford University, Harvard University, Cambridge University, Mexico’s Tecnológico de Monterrey, and several other higher education institutions.

“It is my pleasure to be part of this project, and I look forward to many new things we will develop together in addition to benefiting from this experience,” said Dr. Ilkhlaq Sidhu, Director of SCET at UC Berkeley.

Since its inception, SCET has sought to broaden engineering by encouraging a greater understanding of whether a problem is worth solving, what to do after solving the problem, and how to elevate, lead, and connect engineering with other disciplines.

“At SCET, students participate in a topic while it is still new and growing,” Dr. Sidhu noted as he welcomed the partnership with ScII.

Chulalongkorn University Vice President for Strategic Planning, Innovation and Global Engagement Associate Professor Natcha Thawesaengskulthai noted that SCET’s approach to education and building global innovation and entrepreneurship aligns with SCI’s core disciplines and specializations.

“This integrated critical approach to technology and entrepreneurial innovation jointly pursued by SCET and ScII should serve as a polestar for future endeavours,” she added.

Susan L. Giesecke, Director of Global Engagement at SCET, welcomed the SCET-SCII partnership, stating that Chulalongkorn University is a highly regarded institution and that SCET’s agreement with ScII portends to an excellent partnership.

She added that students at ScII will have an opportunity to interact and engage with Silicon Valley innovators and UC Berkeley alumni.

The Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology is the premier institution on the UC Berkeley campus for studying and practising “technology-centric” entrepreneurship and innovation.

Since 2005, SCET has created the foundation of Berkeley’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, including SkyDeck, the Fung Institute, the Engineering Leadership Professional Program, Global Venture Lab, and an extensive ecosystem of Silicon Valley and Global partners.

SCET’s mission has been to equip engineers and scientists with the skills to innovate, productize, and commercialize the technology in the global economy. Initially established as CET, it acquired a new name after receiving support from the Sutardja family, the force behind the Marvell Technology Group.

ScII is the newest school at Thailand’s oldest and most prestigious university, Chulalongkorn University. The university currently offers a bachelor’s degree program called the Bachelor of Arts in Science in Integrated Innovation (BASCii).