NRCT Supports Thai Students’ Association in Japan to Host “Mirai Catalyst Hackathon Challenge 2026” Final Pitch Showcasing 9 Innovation Projects
สำนักงานการวิจัยแห่งชาติ (วช.) กระทรวงการอุดมศึกษา วิทยาศาสตร์ วิจัยและนวัตกรรม ร่วมกับสมาคมนักเรียนไทยในประเทศญี่ปุ่น ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์ (Thai Students’ Association in Japan under Royal Patronage: TSAJ) และเครือข่ายนักว
The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), in collaboration with the Thai Students’ Association in Japan under Royal Patronage (TSAJ) and the Thai Researchers Network in Japan, hosted the Final Pitch of the “Mirai Catalyst Hackathon Challenge 2026” on 9 August 2026 at Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, Japan, to empower Thai students and researchers in Japan to translate knowledge and technology into practical innovations.
Over the month leading up to the Final Pitch, participants collaborated across disciplines and received mentorship from experts before presenting 9 innovation projects to the judging panel. The projects spanned healthcare and biomedical engineering, biotechnology, materials and environment, digital technology and AI, carbon management, logistics, and infrastructure.
Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of NRCT, delivered the opening remarks online, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for Thai researchers abroad and connecting international networks back to Thailand’s science, research, and innovation ecosystem. Ms. Nata Udommongkolkul, Consul and Counsellor at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo, welcomed the participants.
The Final Pitch judging panel comprised Mr. Watcharin Witthayawerasak (Director, Thai-BISPA), Asst. Prof. Dr. Tinnakorn Pongthiya (Deputy Director, Science and Technology Park, Chiang Mai University), and Dr. Phawika Mongkolkittaveepol (General Manager, Science and Technology Park, Chiang Mai University).
Three winning teams were recognized:
- First Prize: Team Krapao desu — “ScanTu: Digital Inspection Solution”
- First Runner-Up: Team Papeda — “PHAstic: Eco-Friendly Bioplastic from Waste Materials for Medical Products”
- Second Runner-Up: Team CL — “Carbon Litmus (C.L.)”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anak Khantachawana of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Project Director, highlighted that Mirai Catalyst fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, user-centric problem solving, and research commercialization while building a lasting network among Thai researchers in Japan.
Following the initial Hackathon on 5 July 2026, the Final Pitch reflects the Brain Circulation and Global Thai Talent initiatives connecting Thai talent abroad with Thailand’s research and innovation ecosystem.
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