Associate Professor Supakorn  Pongbangpho, Ph.D.President, University of Phayao, assigned Associate Professor Phanintra  Teeranon, Ph.D.Assistant to the President Dr. Darinthorn Intubtim, a lecturer from the School of Liberal Arts, to represent the University alongside a delegation from Phayao Municipality, led by Mayor Satchawit Leelawanich, in Shanghai, China, from 11–13 October 2026. The delegation attended the GNLC Academy at Shanghai Open University (SOU) and held discussions with the SMILE Institute at East China Normal University to strengthen international cooperation in lifelong learning and learning city development.

Organized by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and Shanghai Open University, the GNLC Academy provided a platform for Phayao’s delegation to exchange ideas with international representatives on advancing learning cities. Phayao Municipality presented initiatives focused on inclusive learning for people with disabilities, artificial intelligence (AI), and a Digital Hub for lifelong learning. The delegation also discussed the Sister City – Sister School project with the SMILE Institute, supported by the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), establishing a three-level collaboration framework involving universities, cities, and schools. Key initiatives include academic exchanges, City Mapping, and partnerships between Thai and Chinese schools to promote Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

The collaboration will begin with ecosystem studies, allowing Thai and Chinese students to compare conservation and management practices at Phayao Lake and natural water resources in Shanghai. The delegation also exchanged good practices in lifelong learning, including the Community Health Volunteer initiative led by the University of Phayao’s School of Public Health in collaboration with the Phayao Provincial Administrative Organization. These efforts reinforce the University’s role as an academic partner to local communities, connecting international networks with practical initiatives that support sustainable development in Phayao.