On 26 March 2026, at Thammasat’s Rangsit Center, Thammasat University – led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. M.L. Pinitbhand Paribatra, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation – hosted a trilateral meeting with Prof. Retsef Levi, the Levi J. Spencer Standish (1945) Professor of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, and Dr. Kobsak Pootrakool, Director and Senior Executive Vice President of Bangkok Bank.
Also in attendance were the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, the Assistant to the Rector for International Affairs, and executives from the Faculties of Science and Technology, Public Health, and the Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology. Senior executives from Bangkok Bank were also present.
The discussion aimed to foster strategic three-way collaboration by integrating academic expertise with industrial and financial capabilities – particularly water quality issues. The partnership seeks to bridge innovative research with practical application and scalable impact.
Key Discussion Points
Participants explored frameworks for funding and contributions, along with risk management strategies, to support organizations of varying size – from startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large corporations.
The meeting also covered intellectual property (IP) management and the potential use of a Strategic Runway Fund to support research activities during funding approval periods. In addition, participants discussed adopting student-centered approaches, including fellowships, Active Learning, and capstone projects. These initiatives are expected to enhance learning outcomes, reduce faculty-related costs, and strengthen the talent pipeline for Bangkok Bank and its partners.
Future Collaboration Plans
A multidisciplinary team from Thammasat – comprising the Faculties of Science and Technology, Public Health, and the Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology – plans to submit a research proposal addressing Thailand’s pressing water quality challenges.
The proposed project will integrate advanced sensing technologies, information and communication technology (ICT), chemical and biological analysis, and public health impact assessments. The initiative aims to develop a pilot project aligned with the shared commitments of MIT and Bangkok Bank, with the potential for broader national impact.
