School of Engineering, University of Phayao, extends its sincere congratulations on the achievement of the research project entitled “Development of Technologies and Innovations for Future Foods to Enhance a Sustainable Economy in Mae Puem Community, Phayao Province.” The project is led by Assistant Professor Dr. Sutham Arun, Project Director, together with a team of School members and researchers from the School of Engineering. The project was honored with the “1 School, 1 SDG” Outstanding Performance Award for the year 2025 at the 15th Phayao Research National Conference, held under the theme “SDGSS Global Connect: Learning from Best Practices.”
The award presentation ceremony took place on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, at Room UB002, the 99th Anniversary Building of Phra Ubali Khunupamachan (Puang Dhammapañño), University of Phayao. The conference was organized by the Office of Research Administration, University of Phayao, serving as a platform for the presentation and exchange of research outputs, best practices, and innovations with practical applicability, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGSSs).
This project clearly reflects the pivotal role of the School of Engineering, University of Phayao, in integrating engineering knowledge, technology, and innovation to address real-world challenges and enhance community capacity in a tangible manner. The project was implemented in collaboration with the Ban Pong Kluea Community Enterprise (Processing Group), Phayao Province, a local enterprise that utilizes locally sourced raw materials as the foundation for product development. The initiative was further extended to the cultivation of duckweed (Wolffia spp.), an aquatic plant with high nutritional value that has gained international recognition as one of the world’s “future foods.”
The School of Engineering provided systematic support for community development, encompassing process-based problem analysis, solution design, and the transfer of context-appropriate knowledge and technology. Particular emphasis was placed on addressing limitations in duckweed cultivation management and production processes, which initially lacked adequate supporting tools and systematic management mechanisms. These constraints had hindered the optimization of both product quality and yield.
Accordingly, the project integrated engineering principles with appropriate technologies to develop a comprehensive duckweed cultivation system. This included the establishment of monitoring and control guidelines for water quality, temperature, and relevant environmental conditions, as well as the development of a consistent and growth-appropriate fertilization system. In addition, improvements were made to post-harvest duckweed cleaning processes to enhance efficiency, reduce production time and labor requirements, and increase management precision. These interventions contributed to more efficient resource utilization, reduced losses, and the enhancement of product quality to meet established standards, thereby enabling further value-added commercial processing.
Beyond technical development, the School of Engineering also served as a key intermediary in fostering collaborative networks among community stakeholders, government agencies, and the private sector. These networks included agricultural and fisheries agencies, local administrative organizations, and regional business networks, all of which contributed expertise in production standards, technical knowledge, and market access. Such collaboration has supported the systematic and sustainable development of the local economy within a broader sustainable development framework.
The project is closely aligned with SDGSS Goal 2: Zero Hunger, through strengthening food security and income generation for the community, and SDGSS Goal 13: Climate Action, by promoting efficient resource use and reducing environmental impacts throughout the production process.
The success of this initiative stands as a clear example of the School of Engineering, University of Phayao’s strategic commitment to applying academic knowledge for societal benefit. It also reinforces the University of Phayao’s broader vision of becoming a university for sustainable local development, while fostering strong, long-term collaborative networks among the university, local communities, and relevant stakeholders to support resilient and sustainable development in the future.