Tag: Chulalongkorn University

The Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Research Center (A-MED), a division under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, together with the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, have unveiled an innovative toothpaste prototype with nano-hydroxyapatite that helps to replenish minerals and strengthen tooth enamel.

The project aims to promote and develop oral health and dental care products to improve the quality of life and oral healthcare for Thai people, as well as address disparities among consumers. By fostering the development of dental advancements by Thai dentists and academics, the collaboration aims to strengthen Thailand’s medical sector and reduce dependence on imported resources. The press conference to showcase the toothpaste prototype took placed on May 30, 2023 at the Faculty Executive Committee meeting room, Vajwittayawat Building, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University.

Dr. Kitti Wongthavarawat, Head of the Health Innovation and Information Research Team, Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Research Center (A-MED), explained that when dental caries show up in children, it is the beginning of a series of long-term oral health issues. Presently, over 50% of Thai children currently suffer from tooth decay, and more than 60% of adults suffer from gingivitis due to limited access to adequate dental treatment. The nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste prototype is the result of collaborative research, development, testing, design, and production of toothpaste products for the treatment of life-impeding oral health issues, such as early tooth decay, which usually happens because of lack of regular good oral health care.

Development of the nano-hydroxyapatite materials was jointly carried out by the research teams from A-MED, NSTDA, and the Faculty of Dentistry at Chulalongkorn University. This novel material was created via a mechanical chemical method and has a structure similar to human bones and teeth. Nano-hydroxyapatite can be used as a component in toothpaste due to its compatibility with human tissues and capability to promote tooth enamel remineralization. By focusing on nano-sized hydroxyapatite, Thai researchers can help reduce reliance on imports, improve access to domestically manufactured high-quality medical materials, and maintain international medical standards that align with BCG medical device policy objectives.

“The official launch of this prototype toothpaste marks another significant milestone in the two organizations’ successful partnership, as both collaborate to develop advanced preparation techniques for nano-hydroxy powder. By enabling the rapid formation of calcium phosphate from calcium and phosphate ions, which can precipitate onto the tooth surface, the addition of apatite in the toothpaste enhances its ability to restore minerals in the enamel layer. This enhancement elevates the overall quality of the toothpaste,” Prof. Dr. Pornchai Jansisyanont, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, concluded.

For the full and unedited release of this article, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/122988/

Chula President pledged to move ahead with greenhouse gas reduction on the Chulalongkorn University campus targeting Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emission by 2050 and unveiled 5 pilot strategies for minimizing carbon dioxide emissions and also achieving campus sustainability.

Currently, Net Zero Emission is an issue that many countries around the world are focusing on and urgently addressing following the mandate of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 26th Conference on Climate Change (COP26) in 2021. The mandate supports the goal of limiting the global average surface temperature from rising more than 1.5°C to prevent catastrophes caused by extreme weather events.

​“Chulalongkorn University has begun collecting all greenhouse gas emissions data within the university in the academic year 2015 and found that a total of greenhouse gas emissions was 54,955.89 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq), the majority of which resulted from electricity use on campus. This equals 1.21 tons CO2eq emitted per student and personnel that year. Based on this finding, Chula has developed a plan and issued policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gases more earnestly and intensively,” said Professor Dr. Orathai Chavalparit, Head of the Chula Race to Zero Working Group on Policy and Planning, and lecturer from the Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University.

As a citizen of the country and the world, Chula recognizes its responsibility to the public and to take this issue seriously and to be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one of Chula’s strategies for 2021-2024. The President of Chulalongkorn University, therefore, announced the pledge to reduce greenhouse gases on campus last September with two main goals as follows:

1. “Carbon Neutrality by 2040”

2. “Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emission by 2050”

To reach its Net Zero goal, Chula needs cooperation from everyone in the Chula community and plans are needed to reduce energy consumption in both the short and long terms. Chula has designed a five-strategy Chula ’2050 Net-Zero Transition’ plan as follows:

1. Energy Transition​
Chulalongkorn University has replaced its existing energy system with a Solar-PV development — a Zero-Carbon Energy System.

“Chulalongkorn University campus is in an urban area, so space is limited, and solar energy is most suitable for the university.”

Chula has signed an agreement with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) for a pilot project to install rooftop solar panels for 65 buildings across the campus. Currently, installation has been completed in 14 buildings, and installation in the remaining buildings is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

“If (the panels) are installed and used in all buildings, Chula will replace 25% of the university’s electricity consumption.”

In addition, Chula will concentrate on appropriate green building designs for new constructions, such as the layout and direction of the buildings to correlate with sunlight, while emphasizing the use of natural light to reduce the use of electricity.​

2. Improving Energy System Resilience
Chula has conducted a lifetime inspection and evaluated the efficiency of electrical equipment to convert them to energy-efficient ones in common buildings such as light bulbs and air conditioners. In addition, there are improvements in indoor air conditioning systems by installing heat monitors, ventilation, and cooling systems, as well as the Building Energy Management (CU BEMs) in buildings throughout campus to effectively and efficiently monitor and control energy consumption in each building through applications and dashboards. These systems which can report peak load periods and release of carbon dioxide (CO2) is designed by the Smart Grid Research Unit (SGRU), Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering in collaboration with Tokyo University and the domestic and international industrial sector with funding support from the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund (ENCON Fund), Ministry of Energy.

3. Creating Green Growth
Chula has supported national and international research and cooperation including green investment to develop carbon-free technology. The Bio-Circular-Green Economy Technology & Engineering Center, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, has collaborated with the government sector, private sector, industrial sector, and public organizations under the name Thailand CCUS Consortium aiming at planning, research, and development of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology. This is an important step in the repurposing of CO2 that was originally seen as pollution, for value-added commercial uses and elimination of pollution for the environment.

In addition, Chula researchers have successfully converted carbon dioxide into methanol using less energy and giving high yield as part of a research project Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Conversion to Higher-Valued Products with the support of the Research Cess Fund (RCF) of the Malaysia-Thai Joint Authority (MTJA).

In 2022, 2565, Chula has been focusing more on energy transition and clean energy. Chula Faculty of Engineering has signed an agreement with Hitachi Energy to promote and support the education, research, development, and technological learning on energy-related topics such as carbon neutrality, microgrid, micro electricity generation, and management system for communities using mainly renewable energy, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), electric mobility (e-Mobility), green hydrogen, as well as studying sustainable energy future.

4. Lifestyle Transition
Chula has also campaigned for students and personnel to use public buses within the campus with choices of low-carbon transportation such as electric buses, bicycles, electric tuk-tuks, and electric scooters. Covered walkways have also been installed to connect various buildings within the University to facilitate the commute of the Chula community.

Chula has also implemented the Chula Zero Waste Project on campus and surrounding communities to strive for zero waste from the source to the destination and reduce the amount of waste to landfill using the 3Rs rules, including Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Participation from the Chula community, including students, personnel, and vendors on campus has also been encouraged through awareness building so that everyone pays attention to their environmental impacts, and the waste generated in their daily life on campus, as well as changing their behavior to a more sustainable lifestyle for a sustainable environment.

Earnest implementation during the first five years of the project helped reduce waste by about 40 percent which is more than the original target of 30 percent and demonstrated the potential for management to drive cognitive-behavioral change in waste management. The project also set a goal to reuse 75 percent of waste by 2040.

Moreover, Chula encourages personnel and students to carry personal glasses or water bottles to reduce the use of single-use plastic cups, while preparing drinking water dispensers, and campaigning for stores in the cafeterias to substitute biodegradable Zero waste containers for single-use plastic bags. In the future, Chula plans to support a low-carbon diet to reduce meat consumption and promote the consumption of low-carbon plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, or protein from legumes, as well as reducing the consumption of processed foods, and the use of single-use plastic food packaging.​ These measures require cooperation from cafeteria vendors on campus.

5. The Social Transition Social Support System

To encourage the Chula community to be part of the greenhouse gas reduction drive within the campus, there are plans to organize activities and projects such as discussion forums, short clip contests, and exchanges of information between students and personnel through online media channels. This is to raise the awareness of the Chula community on the importance and consequences of climate change that would lead to behavioral change and new conscience to prepare for a sustainable low-carbon society.​

“Although the management system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that Chula has adopted is a system that has been used abroad, many systems are not yet widespread in Thailand. Therefore, Chula would like to be one of the leaders of change and a model of educational institutions that pilot the development of green research and innovation that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions in a real and sustainable way. We believe that we can and will expand to other institutions or agencies in Thailand to work together towards a sustainable low-carbon society.” Professor Dr. Orathai concluded.

Chula Medicine researchers have successfully published an article on the injection of patient’s own platelets rich plasma into the shoulder ligaments resulting in pain reduction, heal torn ligaments and restore torn muscles as an alternative to surgery while reducing the side effects of prolonged use of pain medications.

“Pain” is a condition that no one wishes to experience. And when it occurs, people want to heal as soon as possible. This can be achieved through taking painkillers or alternative medical approaches such as acupuncture, massage, using heat compression, etc. But today, Chula Pain Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society has a new proven treatment for pain derived from the person’s own “platelets” to offer.

“Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection for shoulder ligament injuries or “rotator cuff tears” is one of the treatments we have been doing for over 5 years.” Explains Assistant Professor Marvin
Thepsoparn, MD, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at the Pain Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society. “This approach helps to reduce the side effects of painkillers and is very safe because the patient’s own platelets and plasma are used to inject back into patient’s injury site to stimulate self-repair,” Dr. Thepsoparn is discussing how to relieve pain with platelets.

This research was conducted in collaboration with the Orthopaedic Sports Unit of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital to study pain care for people who have suffered injuries from work, sports, and abnormal body movements. These are the causes of muscle injuries and torn ligaments, which can lead to lifelong chronic pain.

“In this study, we compared the efficiency of treatments by performing an MRI of the shoulder of patients who had already received platelet injection for 6 months, and those who did not use this method to treat torn shoulder ligaments. We found that injecting of the concentration of platelets into the shoulder ligaments significantly reduced pain within 1 – 2 months and also helped repair the tear, resulting in better healing of the ligaments and a reduction in size of the tear.  As a result, patients did not have to suffer from chronic pain, avoided surgery, and eliminate the risk of continuously taking painkillers for an extended period.”

For the full and unedited release of this article, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/110448/

Chula Faculty of Medicine, in collaboration with the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, has released the results of their research on “Wang Nam Yen” herbal tea formula to stimulate lactation in mothers after childbirth, especially those who have had a caesarean delivery, to solve their problem of scarce breast milk. The herbal tea yielded as good results as modern medicine.  The team aims at expanding to commercial production and export.

Nowadays, modern mothers are more willing to breastfeed their babies because breast milk is rich in nutrients that are important for their babies’ growth and development, such as antioxidants, and vitamins that their babies needs, and also helps to strengthen their immunity. The Thai Ministry of Public Health also has a breastfeeding advocacy and support program according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization that recommends breastfeeding from the child’s birth to 6 months old and should continue until the child is 2 years old or longer along with age-appropriate food.

Despite wanting to breastfeed, modern mothers are plagued with the problem of having too little or no breast milk. This problem is more likely to happen in mothers who had given birth by cesarean section than those who gave birth naturally. This is due to many factors, such as the baby starting suckling too late because the mother or the baby is sick, causing them to be separated at an early stage, or the baby not suckling properly or often enough resulting in the mother not lactating.

“In modern medicine, most obstetricians give Domperidone to stimulate lactation. This medicine is usually used as an antiemetic drug, but research in foreign countries has shown that it can be used off-label to stimulate lactation as well. However, some countries, such as the United States, do not allow it to treat vomiting or stimulate lactation because of the side effects of causing abnormal electrocardiogram,” Associate Professor Krit Pongpirul, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, discusses the beginning of the “Wang Nam Yen” Thai herbal tea research, one of the projects under the agreement between Chulalongkorn University and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine to develop Thai herbal research into a systematic and practical approach.

“Wang Nam Yen” herbal tea induces breast milk after childbirth Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit recounted the origin of “Wang Nam Yen” herbal tea that came from the research of Mr. Pinit Chinsoi, a pharmacist who had collected herbal formulas in traditional Thai medicine since ancient times and compared the safety to that of modern medicine.  Then, 5 herbs were selected to be included in the formula namely bael, sappanwood (fang), ginger, licorice, and jewel vine, and named “Wang Nam Yen” in honor of Wang Nam Yen Hospital, Sa Kaeo Province, at which Mr. Pinit was stationed as a pharmacist at that time.

This herbal formula is aimed for mothers after childbirth. According to Thai medicine principles, postnatal women often experience fatigue, blood loss, muscle pain, low breast milk, and dizziness. Therefore, traditional Thai medicine practitioners often choose these five herbs with the following tastes and therapeutic properties to cure the symptoms:  “Mr. Pinit blended these five herbs into tea and then brewed them for mothers after giving birth in Wang Nam Yen Hospital. According to preliminary data, this herbal tea can increase the amount of milk compared to the group that did not drink it,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit. “Looking at the benefits of this herbal tea, we can see that the herbs not only stimulate lactation but also relieve and treat other postpartum symptoms.”

Thai herbal tea or modern medicine? Which can better induce milk?

From the collection of herbal recipes by pharmacist Pinit, a research team from Chulalongkorn University and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has developed an experimental study to test and compare the effectiveness of postpartum breast milk stimulation between “Wang Nam Yen” Thai herbal tea and modern medicine. The study participants were 120 mothers who had a cesarean birth and received nursing care at Sansitphrasong Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani Province, from February-September 2017 under the supervision of Doctor Koollachart Saejueng, M.D., a resident obstetrician at the hospital then.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit explained the research process where the participants were divided into 3 groups: an experimental group and a control group with 40 participants in each group.  The first group received the tea and placebo pills, group 2 received placebo tea (no herbs) and real pills, while group 3 received both placebo tea and pills. The participants did not know which group they belonged to. For the measurement, the results were measured by the amount of breast milk pumped out in cc or ml from the collection of milk during 3 periods: 24 hours after giving birth, 48 hours after giving birth, and 72 hours after giving birth.

“The results suggest that herbal teas can stimulate milk during all three periods. The mothers who received herbal tea produced more milk than other groups 24 hours after birth.  They produced a similar amount of milk to the group who received modern medicine 48, and 72 hours after birth and performed better than the group that received placebos,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit revealed the results that have been published since the beginning of 2022.

Thai Herbs, Household Goodies to the World Market

According to the research results that indicate the effectiveness of Thai herbs in stimulating breast milk after childbirth on par with modern medicine, the research team is planning to launch this herbal tea as a product under the brand “Wang Nam Yen” for domestic distribution and export.

“If we want Thai herbs to thrive, we should not stop at doing research only to prove the herbs’ efficacy, but there should be further studies in humans to confirm that Thai herbs are effective and practical. This work requires the cooperation of many fields of study, including pharmaceutical science, science, and medicine, to become a product so that the Thai herbs market could grow and reach the global market.”

For the Thai public, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit said, “The research team did not conceal the formula of this herbal tea, because we want Thai people to know about the good things in Thailand.  People can grow the herbs and make the tea for themselves in their own homes.”

For the full release and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/116790/ 

 

 

Chula has launched the “CUDSON” web application to help students discover and develop life skills, select activities and subjects that are suitable for their needs, develop themselves properly, learn what they like, and prepare for a world of creative and happy work.

“Who am I? What am I good at? What skills do I have? What should I study? What job should I get after graduation?” These are questions that many students may be pondering so they can develop themselves appropriately, study the right subjects, and apply for or create jobs that they
like at their own pace and aptitude.

Knowing oneself is important, but it may take time and learning through a series of experiences to find one’s own path. Assistant Professor Dr. Chaiyaporn Puprasert, Vice President of Student Development, Office of Student Affairs, Chulalongkorn University, therefore initiated the web application development project. “CUDSON” (meaning curated) allows students to get to know themselves clearly and quickly. This will help students choose the right subjects and activities to prepare for the world of work and life in the future.

According to Nopparuj Punyaratanasoonthorn, Education Services Officer, Office of Student Affairs, Chulalongkorn University, “in addition to academic learning and hard skills, which students receive from the classroom, they usually need soft skills to be ready for socialization in their working age and lifelong learning.  Each person has a different skill set, be it communication
skills, problem-solving skills, or working with others, making their potential development process unique.”

CUDSON was first launched in 2017 as a mobile application. However, due to the complexity of the system and the length of the assessment that users had to complete for 40 minutes, it was quite difficult touse. The Office of Student Affairs, Chulalongkorn University has improved the system to be easier to use in the form of a web application, which was launched at the end of 2022 and has already attracted over 4,000 students.

“CUDSON” activities and courses for self-paced learning

Among a variety of features, CUDSON’s main function is a two-type self-assessment for students:
learning and activity assessments.

Nopparuj explained that the assessment takes only 6 minutes and the system will process the answers into 6 types of competency scores. These are life skills or soft skills, including self-management skills, emotion management skills, communication skills, collaboration skills, problem-solving skills, and social transformation skills.

“The assessment will let students know what skills and competencies they have and what they need to develop to prepare themselves for future life goals. The CUDSON web application will introduce the appropriate activities and courses to the students individually,” said Nopparuj
while adding that the activities and courses suggested by CUDSON include activities organized by GenEd, CUVIP, and Chula MOOC online courses.

CUDSON “Finding Experiences”

Students who are clear on their abilities and self-development path can find the courses and activities that interest them at the “Finding Experiences” function to find out about all the classes, courses, and activities that are open for application at Chula.

“On the website, we will provide information about the activities, courses, and classes that will help students develop their competencies. If students already have in mind what skills they wish to develop, they can come to this section to see if the subjects or activities in which they are interested will help promote competencies in the way that they want.”

CUDSON “Discover Your Ideal Careers”

The “Discover Your Ideal Careers” function allows students to explore the career they are looking for or interested in, whether it is job characteristics, career-related disciplines, skills and knowledge needed for a such career, as well as lifestyle in the workplace.

“This section introduces students to different careers or fields, and the knowledge and skills requirements to see if their skills and knowledge match those requirements.  If they want to pursue that profession, what experience and competency would they need to sharpen,” explained Nopparuj.

Selecting the “right job” for the right person

The six competency assessment guidelines on the CUDSON web application are also useful in job recruitment to get “the right people for the job” at the CU Job & Higher Education Fair Online 2022 organized by the Office of Student Affairs, Chulalongkorn University, March 22, 2022.

“We ask companies and business owners who came to recruit students at the Job Fair to do Spider Chart based on CUDSON’s competencies according to opening positions, so that students can see themselves, compared with the expectations of the recruiting organizations.  Students are shown the ways to develop themselves, if they want to work in those positions, or if the positions are suitable for them.”

 “Cudson” promotes lifelong self-improvement.

Soon, the CUDSON web application will have an English version for international students. In addition, Mr. Nopparuj reveals that the Office of Student Affairs will link to other parts of the university and cooperate with external agencies to design activities for students to open up new
experiences that will help them develop themselves and be happy with their activities.

“Apart from improved usability, we will always keep the information and assessments up to date. The performance values used as assessment criteria will change with the times, like some abilities may not be necessary when we reach a certain age, then will change the criteria accordingly.”

Finally, Nopparuj invites Chula students to complete the assessments on the “CUDSON” web application every year to monitor their development in knowledge and competencies, as well as view ideas that may change with age because this is lifelong learning.

Interested students can access the CUDSON website in 2 ways: 1) Connect from the CUNEX
application and 2) Via https://cudson.chula.ac.th/

For the full release and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/109329/

 

Chula geology professor and team of surveyors discovered foreign materials, suspected to be “terracotta”, in the center of Khao Phanom Rung (Phanom Rung Mountain) forest, Buriram Province. The discovery provides significant evidence indicating that Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is not the only ancient building hidden on Khao Phanom Rung.

The discovery was made when Prof. Dr. Santi Pailoplee, lecturer at the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, and his team of surveyors, interested in using remote sensing and geographic information systems to explore archaeology, were exploring the Khao Phanom Rung area.  Earlier, they had discovered traces of structures on Khao Phanom Rung, which is one of Thailand’s historical parks dated back thousands of years.

Prof. Dr. Santi explained that in geological terms, Khao Phanom Rung is a Quaternary volcano generated by lava eruption about one million years ago. By surveying the type of rocks in the area, geologists discovered that Khao Phanom Rung was formed by the accumulation of lava from mafic magma.  After the lava cooled down, there should only be basaltic rocks on the mountain.

However, during the latest survey at Khao Phanom Rung forest, Prof. Dr. Santi and his research team found, in addition to plenty of basalt rocks, non-basalt materials that resembled weathered cement and were foreign to the area. Ms. Nopphamat Ritthanont, a student from Chulalongkorn University’s Department of Geology, took samples for laboratory evaluation, and used an X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), the team was able to analyze the structural properties of the materials collected without destroying the samples.  Lab results showed the materials were composed of quartz or sand deposits, and the majority of what was discovered was clay mineral, namely kaolin clay, which is commonly used today to produce ceramics.

Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Santi and the survey team investigated the plains surrounding Khao Phanom Rung and discovered a newly excavated villager’s well that illustrated the area’s rock hierarchy. The excavated well showed red siltstone at the bottom, white kaolin clay in the middle, and piled at the top was black soil from the breakdown of basalt rocks on Khao Phanom Rung, which later accumulated and covered the entire area. This was significant proof that “the kaolin clay used to build several buildings on Khao Phanom Rung was easily found in the area.”

Prof. Dr. Santi stated that scanning the material in high resolution with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), which clearly showed features of the external structure or surface of the sample in 3D, enormous quartz crystals surrounded by kaolin clay with an uneven surface were found. In comparison to previous studies that showed a difference in kaolin texture in relation to the measured temperature, it may be deduced that the kaolin soil or foreign material discovered on Khao Phanom Rung was calcined at a temperature of around 700 – 800 degrees Celsius. After a thorough study in the laboratory using cutting-edge scientific instruments, it was inferred that the substance is most
likely “terracotta”.

“When we revisited the survey area, we discovered key evidence as the lumps of fresh material had both decayed and non-decayed qualities. The portion that rotted out was white, while the portion that did not had an earthy orange color similar to modern bricks. The clay or brick lumps also contained traces of tiny fibers and holes. The conclusion was, to create such materials, straw and grass clippings were added into the mixture. This evidently supports the assumption that Prasat Hin Phanom
Rung is not the only ancient structure concealed in the center of Khao Phanom Rung forest”, said Prof. Dr. Santi.

Survey Team: Santi Pailoplee, Nopphamat Ritthanont, Kangvol Khatshima, Sombat Mangmeesuksiri, U-tain Wongsathit, Panya Nakauthok, Chakkrit Udonphim, Tamsak Wongmuneevorn, and Sitthichoke Towiriyakul

For the full release and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/110337/

The latest results of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 have been announced and
Chulalongkorn University is ranked the first Thai university, as it did last year.  In the broad subject area category this year Chula ranks first among Thai universities and is also first in Thailand for 30 sub-subjects, an increase by 4 sub-subjects from last year as follows:

Art & Humanities

in six subjects

1. Architecture / Built Environment
2. English Language & Literature
3. History
4. Linguistics
5. Modern Languages
6. Performing Arts

Engineering & Technology 

in seven subjects

1. Computer Science
2. Engineering – Chemical
3. Engineering – Civil & Structural
4. Engineering – Electrical & Electronic
5. Engineering – Mechanical
6. Engineering – Mineral & Mining
7. Engineering – Petroleum

Natural Sciences 

in five subjects

1. Chemistry
2. Environmental Sciences
3. Geography
4. Materials Science
5. Physics & Astronomy

Social Sciences & Management 

in eleven subjects

1. Accounting & Finance
2. Anthropology
3. Business & Management Studies
4. Development Studies
5. Economics & Econometrics
6. Education
7. Law
8. Politics & International Studies
9. Social Policy & Administration
10. Sociology
11. Sports-related Subjects

Life Sciences & Medicine 

in one subject

1. Dentistry

For the full release and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/109824/

At present, Thailand’s cocoa market is on the rise and there is a substantial need for cacao beans in the country. However, there are problems in the sale of dried cacao beans produced by local farmers as the beans are below the standards of the market. This forces most entrepreneurs and factories to import dried cacao beans from overseas.

Faculty and researchers from Chulalongkorn University’s School of Agricultural Resources have recently conducted a Development Project of Midstream Business in Cocoa Business Ecosystem in Nan Province, with the aim to increase the potential of local entrepreneurs by equipping them with knowledge about cacao processing to meet the standards required by the market and to improve the overall standards of dried cacao bean production. This research project provides an important opportunity to boost the dried cacao bean business in Nan, which will increase the competitiveness of local entrepreneurs. The goal is for at least two local entrepreneurs in Nan to produce cacao beans that meet the requirements of the buyers. The project also aims to make Nan a pilot area for developing a model for cacao processing, where knowledge is imparted to and exchanged among other local entrepreneurs in the province, as well as increase the potential of local entrepreneurs in finance, marketing, and product development.

Currently, the project is in the phase of creating knowledge on preliminary cacao bean processing for the context of the intended local entrepreneurs and sharing such knowledge to improve the dried cacao bean quality of scent, taste, and safety, as well as connecting the producers to the buyers. The buyers are private organizations that give suggestions on the techniques of processing and the assessment of the quality of cacao beans.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Pimpinan Somsong from the School of Agricultural Resources, Chulalongkorn University, talked about the origin of the project explaining that although Thailand has been growing cacao for a long time, it is still being done in limited areas. Moreover, most farmers do not know how to properly manage cacao, including the market. Therefore, a research plan has been devised to elevate the cocoa supply chain in Nan, which includes sub-projects on market and business development, management of coca plantations, and midstream business development, involving the inclusion of farmers in the development of preliminary processing, e.g., fermentation and drying of cacao beans.

“More entrepreneurs are now involved in the downstream business of turning dried cacao beans into chocolate, but not many in the midstream business or the preliminary processing of fresh cacao into dried cacao beans. As for the upstream business or cocoa farmers, there are quite a large number,” explained Assist. Prof. Dr. Pimpinan.

By informing local farmers in Nan about cocoa processing, Thailand’s cocoa market will increase its supply of dried cocoa. The School of Agricultural Resources, Chulalongkorn University, has both faculty members and students in Nan, allowing them to make on-site visits to share the techniques of processing cacao with local farmers. Processing not only makes it easier to store cocoa, but also allows it to be made into other products, such as chocolate.

According to Assist. Prof. Dr. Pimpinan, “This research project is an integration between researchers, the community, and entrepreneurs to apply knowledge gained from research and innovation to the problems of local entrepreneurs. This will result in the development of the agricultural sector and better distribution of income.”

The School of Agricultural Resources, Chulalongkorn University, has organized a workshop on creating craft chocolate or making chocolate from cacao beans to both Thai and foreign interested individuals. The goal is to increase knowledge as well as to promote the production and export of cocoa. The private sector, which is the buyer of dried cocoa and a knowledgeable party of the needs of the market, serves as a significant mechanism to improve cocoa, both in terms of quantity and quality. Regarding future research plans, Assist. Prof. Dr. Pimpinan added that it is necessary to regulate the quality of cocoa fermentation and drying in each batch to build confidence in the buyers, as well as the evaluation of quality of fresh cacao beans and dried cacao beans. In the future, the research will then be expanded to other provinces besides Nan.

For the full release and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/109701/