19 May 2026, Associate Professor Dr. Kitikorn Charmondusit, Dean of the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, together with Lecturer Dr. Praewa Wongburi, Assistant to the Dean for Policy, Planning, and International Relations, Dr. Jakkapon Phanthuwongpakdee, Dr. Achiraya Chaichalumpreecha, Ph.D., and Dr. Shreema Rana, foreigh expert, participated in a meeting to discuss academic collaboration in sustainability and climate change education with Dr. Julie Flapan, Director of the Computer Science Equity Project at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), who is currently visiting Thailand as a Fulbright Specialist.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Institute for Innovation and Learning, Mahidol University, including Assistant Professor Namkang Sriwattanarothai, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Education and Networking, and Assistant Professor Piyachat Jittam, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Innovation and Learning, Mahidol University. The discussion focused on strengthening collaboration in education, research, and international networking in the areas of sustainability and carbon neutrality.
During the meeting, participants discussed the development of the Carbon Neutrality Campus (CNC) initiative, which originated from the establishment of Thailand’s sustainable university network in collaboration with the United Nations ESCAP to promote carbon neutrality concepts in higher education institutions. The initiative has since expanded to universities across Asia and schools at various levels to foster sustainability learning among youth.
The discussion also highlighted challenges within the Thai education system, particularly the lack of knowledge and understanding of climate change and sustainability among teachers, as well as limitations in integrating these topics into the national core curriculum. These challenges affect the implementation of practical sustainability education in classrooms.
Representatives from UCLA emphasized the importance of connecting sustainability learning to students’ everyday lives through project-based learning, community data collection, and the development of policy proposals or infographic media. These approaches aim to strengthen students’ communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills for sustainability in the future.
In addition, the meeting explored approaches for establishing networks of “expert educators,” developing micro-credential systems for teachers and educational personnel, and promoting peer mentoring systems to inspire and expand sustainability learning continuously.
The meeting reflected a shared commitment among international academic networks to advance sustainability education by connecting schools, universities, communities, and global partners in order to develop future generations with the knowledge, awareness, and capabilities needed to drive society toward carbon neutrality and sustainable development.
