The International Research Network Meeting (NFU Research Meeting): Smart Manufacturing and Sustainable Development in Taiwan and Asia, held from 14–23 November 2025, was an academic collaboration between the Faculty of Logistics, Burapha University, and National Formosa University (NFU), Republic of China (Taiwan). The project was conducted under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on academic and research cooperation between the two institutions. Its primary objective was to enhance international capacity building in education and research, while simultaneously fostering academic collaboration networks among higher education institutions and researchers across Asia. The meeting was organized under the theme “AI-Driven Low-Carbon Smart Manufacturing and Industrial Transformation,” reflecting a shared commitment to the development of intelligent industries that emphasize sustainability and environmental impact reduction.
The program featured research presentations and project showcases related to the advancement of smart manufacturing, as well as study visits to leading organizations and research centers that apply Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, and smart manufacturing systems to enhance production efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Key sites included the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Data System Public Company Limited, the Asia UAV Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center, and IoT and Smart Manufacturing operation centers at National Chin-Yi University of Technology (NCUT) and National Formosa University (NFU) in Taichung and Yunlin. The activities provided a valuable platform for more than 40 researchers from Thailand, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Taiwan to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices in research and academic services, while laying a strong foundation for future interdisciplinary research collaboration.
This project aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, through the enhancement of academic and research capacity at the international level; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, by promoting research and innovation in smart manufacturing; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Climate Action, through the promotion of low-carbon manufacturing concepts and the application of technology to support sustainable development; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through the expansion of international academic networks with NCUT (Taiwan) and Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM). These collaborations aim to produce at least one joint academic or research project with each partner university by 2026. Furthermore, the project demonstrates efficient resource management, having utilized significantly less than the allocated budget, reflecting cost-effectiveness and sustainability in project implementation. Overall, the project was deemed highly successful, generating tangible benefits for the Faculty of Logistics and Burapha University, and serving as a strong foundation for future expansion of international cooperation toward sustainable development.
Project Participants: Asst.Prof.Anirut Kantasa-ard, Ph.D., Mr. Paronkasom Indradat
