On 15 November 2024, MHESI-NXPO, in collaboration with the University Holding Company Directorship Certification Program (UHCDP), organized UHC Field Insight: Learn, Act, and Share Experiences. The event, part of ongoing efforts to promote the University Holding Company (UHC) model among higher education institutions, took place at the Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University (KU). Welcoming the participants and delivering presentations were key KU executives, including Dr. Suvaporn Phasuk, Assistant to the President for Finance and Asset Management; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anuvat Jangchud, Dean of the Faculty of Agro-Industry; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tunyarut Jinkarn, Associate Dean for Academic Services and President of KU Agro Industry Company Limited; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krissana Jantarachot, Assistant to the President for Physical and Asset Management at Kamphaeng Saen Campus and Advisor to KU Kamphaeng Saen Company Limited.
During her address, Ms. Manunya Chunhavuthiyanon, Division Director of Innovation Ecosystem for Enhancing Capability of Enterprises at NXPO, emphasized the importance of the UHC mechanism in facilitating investments and research commercialization. This mechanism is outlined in the Prime Minister’s Office Regulation on Public-Private Partnerships in Projects Utilizing Research and Innovation B.E. 2566, aimed at removing barriers and enabling joint investments between academic/public research institutes and industry in innovation-driven businesses. The UHC model is expected to drive the establishment of new innovation-driven enterprises (IDEs) in Thailand, generating employment, boosting the economy, and strengthening national competitiveness. To date, 11 universities have successfully established holding companies under this framework. This event provided participants with an opportunity to explore the operational model and successes of KUniverse, the holding company of KU, and its subsidiaries.
The visit also included a tour of The Premium @ KU, a subsidiary of KU Universe that serves as a platform for showcasing and distributing research-based products developed by KU students, researchers, and faculty.
