July 19-20, 2566 – Naresuan University, under the leadership of Associate Professor Dr. Sarintip Tantanee, Acting President, actively participated in the inauguration of the Fostering Sustain University-Industry Techno-Entrepreneurial Collaborations and Innovations in Asian Universities (FOUNTAIN) Project, with the support of the Erasmus+ Program. The event was conducted in a hybrid format, blending online and on-site activities, hosted at Science Tower, 120/10A, Vidya Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The FOUNTAIN Project is a collaboration among key members from five countries: Sri Lanka, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, and Thailand, with a total of ten esteemed participating universities. These universities include the University of Ruhuna, University of Peradeniya, The Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Raja Rata University of Sri Lanka, Naresuan University, Chiang Mai University, Tallinna Tehnikaulikool (Tallinn University of Technology), Vilniaus Gedimino Tecgnikos Universitetas (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University), Horizon College of Business & Technology, and Mittuniversitetet (Mid Sweden University).
The project’s opening provided significant insights into the collective efforts of the project members, spotlighting its main objectives, which are as follows: (1) studying gaps and strategies for university-industry collaboration; (2) promoting cooperation to generate societal and economic benefits, particularly in areas related to climate change, sustainability, digital transformation, green businesses, entrepreneurship, and disaster resilience in agriculture; (3) aiming to develop frameworks for collaboration and global forums in the agricultural industry and implementing programs to attract students through various learning initiatives; (4) developing models for innovative curricula and internships that foster collaborative partnerships between universities and industries; (5) enhancing the dimensions of innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education by leveraging online platforms to foster transformative ideas and facilitate the creation and scaling-up of start-ups, integrating diverse intellectual assets from higher education institutions; (6) establishing a center of excellence in business, inventions, and innovations, integrating with the University-Industry Collaboration (UIC) platform to cater to relevant stakeholders in the region, as part of the grand efforts grounded in evidence-based policies in participating countries; and (7) promoting effective problem-solving as a systemic approach, fostering inclusivity and gender equality while bridging technology with society.
The FOUNTAIN project team at Naresuan University is comprised of six dedicated members. Associate Professor Dr. Sarintip Tantanee, Acting President of Naresuan University, leads the team, and the other five members include Associate Professor Dr. Kumpon Subsomboon, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Dr. Phisut Apichayakul, Vice President for International Affairs and Technology Transfer; Associate Professor Dr. Panu Buranajarukorn, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty of Engineering; Associate Professor Dr. Korakod Nusit, Deputy Dean for Administration, Faculty of Engineering; and Dr. Orawan Sirisawat Apichayakul, the Department of Communication Arts, Faculty of Business, Economics, and Communications.
The progress of this project is expected to be immensely significant, fostering robust university-industry collaborations and driving technological and societal advancements across the participating countries and regions.
