From 3 to 4 October 2024, PSU in collaboration with the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) hosted the 15th Thailand-Indonesia Collaboration Conference. Themed "Charting the Path to Sustainable Universities: A Holistic Approach to ESG Integration," the conference aimed to enhance understanding of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and their integration into higher education communities. The event presided over by Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, also featured contributions from prominent figures such as Prof. Dr. Pongrak Sribanditmongkol, M.D., Chair of CUPT and President of Chiang Mai University, as well as Asst. Prof. Dr. Niwat Kaewpradub, Vice Chair of CUPT and President of PSU. Over 200 participants attended the conference, including executives, university presidents, deans, and students from member institutions of CUPT in Thailand, the Council of Rectors of Indonesian State Universities (CRISU), the Council of Rajabhat University Presidents, the Council of Rajamangala University of Technology Presidents, and the Association of Private Higher Education Institutions of Thailand. The conference took place at the Arnoma Grand Hotel in Bangkok.
At the event, Dr. Suvit Maesincee, former Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, delivered a keynote speech titled “ESG: Why It Matters to Our World, Higher Education, and Us All.” This session aimed to raise awareness about ESG principles, emphasizing their significance while providing guidance and establishing priorities for integrating ESG into academic institutions. Following the keynote, a panel discussion titled “Keynotes: Highlights and Priorities for Activities” took place, where speakers emphasized essential ESG initiatives and priority actions that universities should undertake.
A panel discussion featured representatives from participating universities and included a distinguished talk by Dr. Soraphol Tulayasathien, Deputy Manager and Head of Corporate Strategy for Capital Market Sustainability Development at the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Dr. Soraphol shared valuable insights on implementing ESG within the stock exchange, offering practical approaches for effectively applying ESG principles in higher education institutions. The panel also included notable figures such as Prof. Dr. Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, Chair of CUPT and President of Chiang Mai University; Prof. Dr. Anchana Prathep, Dean of the Faculty of Science at PSU; Prof. Dr. rer. Nat. Agus Rubiyanto, President of Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK); and Prof. Dr. Kusman Ibrahim, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at Universitas Padjadjaran. The session was expertly moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont, Director of SEAMEO RIHED. The discussion concluded with actionable priorities for higher education institutions to advance their ESG initiatives.
Additionally, a Youth Speech activity was held under the theme “ESG from Our Citizens of Tomorrow’s Perspectives.” Representing Thailand, Mr. Pasin Sae-Chong, a student from the Faculty of Management Sciences at PSU, and Mr. Komang Putra from Universitas Tadulako, Indonesia, delivered inspiring speeches as future youth leaders. They shared their insights on how ESG principles could benefit themselves, their universities, their countries, and the world at large. Furthermore, they expressed their perspectives as engaged citizens, discussing how they can actively contribute to their universities' efforts in advancing ESG initiatives.
There was also a Group Discussion activity (Breakout Room) under the theme *The Roles of Universities in ESG – What Can We Do and How Does It Work? which provided a space for presidents, deans, and students to discuss and share ideas on effectively implementing ESG. The discussion groups included: 1) University Presidents Group focused on policy discussions for integrating ESG, led by Ms. Porntip Kanjananiyot, a special advisor at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED). 2) Deans Group centered on practical approaches for ESG integration, facilitated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont, Director of SEAMEO RIHED and 3) Students Group aimed at defining their roles in driving ESG policies and practices, guided by Dr. Pit Jitpakdee and Ms. Lakhana Dockiao, both are special advisors at SEAMEO RIHED.
A Group Discussion activity was also conducted in a breakout room under the theme *The Roles of Universities in ESG – What Can We Do and How Does It Work? This session provided a collaborative space for presidents, deans, and students to discuss and share ideas on effectively implementing ESG principles. The discussion groups included: 1) University Presidents Group: This group focused on policy discussions for integrating ESG, led by Ms. Porntip Kanjananiyot, a special advisor at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED). 2) Deans Group: Centered on practical approaches for ESG integration, this group was facilitated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont, Director of SEAMEO RIHED. 3) Students Group: Aimed at defining their roles in driving ESG policies and practices, this group was guided by Dr. Pit Jitpakdee and Ms. Lakhana Dockiao, both special advisors at SEAMEO RIHED.
The 15th Thai-Indonesian Collaboration Meeting has successfully fostered concrete cooperation between universities in Thailand and Indonesia to advance ESG initiatives. This collaboration was further solidified through a signing ceremony attended by representatives from both nations. Prof. Dr. Pongrak Sribanditmongkol, M.D., President of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand and President of Chiang Mai University, represented Thailand, while Prof. Dr. Jamaluddin Jompa, President of Hasanuddin University and Chair of the Council of Rector of Indonesian State Universities, represented Indonesia. During the CUPT-CRISU Board Meeting, a resolution was passed to appoint five universities on the island of Borneo—Institut Teknologi Kalimantan, Universitas Mulawarman, Universitas Palangkaraya, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, and Universitas Tanjungpura—as hosts for next year’s meeting, ensuring continued collaboration and commitment to ESG initiatives.
