18 February 2026 — The National Knowledge Sharing Workshop held under the theme “Innovating for a Circular Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Ocean Plastic Management” was jointly organized by the VALOR consortium, which comprises the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Mahidol University (MU), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Universitas Mulawarman (UNMUL), University of the Philippines System (UPD), University of the Philippines Visayas Foundation Inc. (UPVFI), Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa), Panepistimio Patron (UPatras), and ReadLab P.C..
Held in Bangkok, the workshop formed part of the implementation phase of the Value Chain Transformation for Ocean Plastic Management (VALOR) project, co-funded by the European Union. The initiative responds to the urgent challenge of marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia by strengthening the capacity of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to lead circular economy transitions through curriculum modernization, digital innovation, and community-based solutions. Designed as a national platform for dialogue, the workshop convened representatives from academia, government, industry, and civil society to align higher education reform with Thailand’s circular economy priorities and the evolving demands of the green labor market.
Strategic Vision and Project Framework
The workshop opened with welcome remarks from Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at AIT, and Mr. Odysseas Vlachonikolos, EU Project and Development Officer at ReadLab P.C., Greece. Both speakers highlighted the importance of cross-regional cooperation and recognized the European Union’s role in empowering higher education institutions to address transboundary environmental issues. Following the opening remarks, Dr. Wenchao Xue, VALOR Project Coordinator and Associate Professor at AIT, outlined the project’s objectives to integrate environmental sustainability and advanced technology competencies into higher education through modular micro-courses and innovation hub networks.
Expert Insights on Policy, Practice, and Systems Integration
The technical session featured three expert lectures addressing policy, operational practice, and institutional innovation.
Prof. Thammarat Koottatep, Professor of Environmental Engineering and Management and Co-Director of the Global Water and Sanitation Center at AIT, delivered a presentation titled “Roles of Higher Education Institutes in Marine Plastic Waste Management and Circularity.” He emphasized universities’ dual responsibilities as educational institutions and operational entities with direct environmental impacts. Advocating for a Living Laboratory model, he highlighted how campus waste challenges can be transformed into transdisciplinary innovation opportunities that generate scalable circular solutions.
Mr. Patarapol Tularak, Secretary General of the Solid Waste Management Association of Thailand and member of the Thailand Circular Economy Network, presented “Circular Economy Policy and Action to Stop Marine Plastic Waste.” He outlined Thailand’s national waste management policies, including the Draft Circular Economy Act, and highlighted community-based initiatives such as the Net Free Seas project, which recycles abandoned fishing gear to reduce marine leakage while supporting local livelihoods.
Mr. Paradorn Chulajata, Vice President of the Public Private Partnership for Sustainable Plastic and Waste Management, delivered a presentation titled “Circular Economy in Action: Transforming Value Chains.” He showcased collaborative models such as the Rayong Model and the Magic Hand campaign, demonstrating how structured public-private partnerships can expand waste infrastructure, strengthen segregation practices, and reinforce circular value chains.
Stakeholder Word Café for National Knowledge Sharing
The afternoon Stakeholder World Café focused on identifying skills gaps and fostering joint innovation. Discussions focused on strengthening the alignment between academic curricula and the technical competencies demanded by the emerging green labor market. Participants emphasized the growing need for expertise in Life Cycle Assessment and Extended Producer Responsibility, alongside cross-cutting skills in stakeholder engagement, community facilitation, and systems thinking. There was broad consensus on the effectiveness of Living Laboratories and industry-defined, project-based learning models in scaling sustainable practices from university campuses to surrounding communities.
Through this national platform for dialogue and collaboration, the VALOR consortium reaffirmed its commitment to advancing higher education as a catalyst for circular economy transformation. By aligning policy frameworks, industry practice, and academic innovation, the VALOR project seeks to equip future professionals with the knowledge and competencies required to address marine plastic pollution and support sustainable development across Southeast Asia.
