“How can the academe effectively impact society?” was the main question that the Impactful College Empowerment (ICE) Event sought to answer on February 7, 2025 through its forum and exhibition of selected research works by Mahidol University International College’s (MUIC) faculty members.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Chulathida Chomchai, M.D., MUIC Dean, praised the willingness of everyone concerned to gather in the spirit of friendship under the aegis of ICE in order to collaborate and seek solutions to these aforementioned challenges.

One of the two highlights of this year’s ICE was a forum with the theme, “College to the Real World,” held in Charinyarasami Hall on the 3^rd Floor of Aditayathorn Building with Prof. Oliver Kessler of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – School of Business in Switzerland, as the keynote speaker.

In his speech, Prof. Kessler challenged the academic community to break out from its oft-perceived image of being in an ivory tower and make sure it imparts its knowledge to society. “Universities can shape individuals and society,” he said, adding that this can be done by “broadening our mission and enhancing impact through research and teaching.”

Aside from Prof. Kessler, the other members of the panel included Prof. Luigi Lucini, Ph.D., of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy; Prof. Sirichai Adisakwattana, Ph.D. of Chulalongkorn University; Asst. Prof. Benjalux Sakunasingha, Ph.D. of MUIC; and Dr. Dynaya Bhutipunthu also of MUIC. Each of them also expressed their views on the role of the university in uplifting society and the various ways that these can be accomplished.

The second part of the event was an exhibition at the ground floor lobby of Aditayathorn Building that showcased the published research works of 25 faculty members. The topics of the research and academic services projects ranged from sustainability, education, tourism and well-being, science and digital technology, to case studies.

Dean Chulathida, assisted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yingyot Chiaravutti, MUIC Associate Dean; Prof. Oliver Kessler, Prof. Luigi Lucini, Ph.D., and Prof. Sirichai Adisakwattana, Ph.D., formally opened the exhibition.

The Impactful College Empowerment (ICE) event was organized by the Research Promotion and Management Section and the Academic Services Group under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanida Hansawasdi, Associate Dean for Research and Academic Services.