Building Research Networks for Global Impact: CaRe Global Network at Naresuan University

On July 10, 2026, the CaRe Global Network, in collaboration with the Optimization and Decision Science Research Group, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, successfully participated in the academic seminar "Frontier Research and Innovation Cluster: Interdisciplinary Research Networks" at the Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand. The event brought together researchers from mathematics, engineering, physics, and interdisciplinary sciences to exchange ideas on emerging research opportunities, international collaboration, and strategies for building sustainable global research ecosystems.

The seminar highlighted the importance of building strong research networks as the foundation for successful international collaboration. Throughout the program, speakers emphasized that impactful research partnerships are established through mutual trust, long-term collaboration, researcher mobility, joint publications, and a shared research vision—well before research proposals are written.

The event featured three distinguished keynote speakers representing diverse scientific disciplines. Prof. Dr. Phatiphat Thounthong, National Outstanding Researcher 2025, presented "Emerging Research Opportunities in Electrical Engineering and Smart Energy Systems," sharing future directions in smart energy, renewable energy technologies, electrical engineering, and industrial innovation. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Piyabut Burikham delivered "Unlocking the Cosmos: High Energy Physics and the Dark Universe," introducing recent advances in astrophysics, cosmology, and particle physics while demonstrating how curiosity-driven fundamental science continues to inspire future technologies and international scientific collaboration.

Representing the CaRe Global Network, Prof. Dr. Poom Kumam, Founder of the CaRe Global Network, delivered the keynote lecture "Building Research Networks Before Writing Proposals."Drawing upon extensive experience from international collaborations across Europe and Asia through initiatives including Erasmus+ RISE 5.0, PMU-B Global League, the Sakura Science Program, and numerous bilateral partnerships, he emphasized that competitive international grants are built upon mutual trust, long-term collaboration, joint publications, researcher mobility, and a shared research vision. As highlighted during his presentation, "Funding agencies do not invest only in ideas—they invest in trusted research teams."

A dynamic interdisciplinary panel discussion followed, featuring Prof. Dr. Phatiphat Thounthong, Prof. Dr. Poom Kumam, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Piyabut Burikham, Prof. Dr. Narin Petrot, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sittichai Choosumrong. The panel explored strategies for developing internationally competitive research collaborations by integrating mathematics, engineering, physics, artificial intelligence, optimization, and data science to address global scientific challenges.

The CaRe Global Network delegation, comprising Prof. Dr. Poom Kumam, Prof. Dr. Narin Petrot, Prof. Dr. Phatiphat Thounthong, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Piyabut Burikham, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sittichai Choosumrong, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Yodthong Mensin further strengthened academic partnerships through discussions with researchers from diverse disciplines while exploring opportunities for future joint research projects, international mobility, academic exchange, and collaborative grant development.

The seminar reflected the CaRe Global Network's continuing commitment to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering researcher mobility, and strengthening global partnerships. Guided by its vision, "Research Changes Knowledge. Networks Change the World.", CaRe continues to build international research communities that drive scientific excellence, innovation, and sustainable global impact.