On December 21, 2025, Mahidol University, in collaboration with the Mahidol University Foundation under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, organized the “Human Interaction for Systematic Innovation.” The opening ceremony was honorably presided over by Dr. Somsak Leeswadtrakul, President of the Mahidol University Alumni Association under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King and a Committee of the Mahidol University Foundation under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. In this regard, Assoc. Prof. Sittiwat Lertsiri, Ph.D., Vice President of Mahidol University, along with the team of Mahidol University executives, faculty administrators, faculties, researchers, students and staff, and those interested, participated in the event at the Prince Mahidol Hall, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus.
On this occasion, Prof. Steven Eppinger, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management and a world-renowned expert in Innovation and Design Thinking, from the United States, delivered a keynote speech on “Systematic Innovation through Human-Centered Design,” to sharing insights and inspires with the approach to Systematic Innovation through Human-Centered Design. This session was facilitated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vichita Ractham, Vice President for Corporate Communications and Branding of Mahidol University.
The event also provided engaging activities, including a special talk on “Empowering Thailand’s Economy Through Innovation” by Mr. Payong Srivanich, CEO of Krungthai Bank, and the panel discussion on “Revolutionizing Thai Healthcare Through Innovation,” which included the following panelists: Assoc. Prof. Yoschanan Wongsawat, Ph.D., Vice President for Research, Mahidol University, Prof. Suradej Hongeng, M.D., Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, and Assoc. Prof. Patompon Wongtrakoongate, Ph.D., Faculty of Science, Mahidol University. This session was moderated by Ms. Nattha Komolvadhin, News Director of THE STANDARD.
The “Human Interaction for Systematic Innovation,” Thailand’s first forum which gathered global innovators, management experts, and medical researchers to transform Thai medicine through a Systematic Framework that fosters innovation with the potential to impact the country’s economic future. This event also marks the kick-off of a fundraising campaign to support cancer treatment using cell-based therapies as an alternative to chemotherapy. The Mahidol for Sustainability Fund, Mahidol University Foundation under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, aims to establish the MU-Bio Plant – Thailand’s first living drug facility, producing living-cell-based drugs (Living Drug) as ATMPs, to expand the production of medicines for cancer and other serious diseases in Thailand and the region. This initiative addresses the current and future health challenges.
