The School of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University, extends its warmest congratulations to master’s students from the International Engineering Program on receiving two Silver Medals at the Higher Education Innovation Awards for their innovative projects presented at the Thailand Research Expo 2026.
The award ceremony was organized by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and was held from June 22–24, 2026, at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Bangkok. The event brought together numerous research and innovation projects from higher education institutions across Thailand, providing an important platform for presenting achievements, exchanging knowledge, and promoting the practical application of research and innovation.
The first project received a Silver Medal in the Agriculture and Food Industry category. Entitled “Explainable Deep Learning for Edible Bird’s Nest Grading,” the project was developed by Mr. Phumisak Photchanalai under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Asanchai Sukkuea and Associate Professor Dr. Pensiri Ekchit.
The project applies deep learning technology together with the concept of explainable artificial intelligence to support the grading process of edible bird’s nests. The system is designed to improve accuracy and consistency while enabling users to examine and understand the reasons behind the classification results. The innovation has the potential to enhance the standards and efficiency of the edible bird’s nest industry, as well as increase the value of agricultural and food products.
The second project received a Silver Medal in the Engineering, Artificial Intelligence Technology, and Smart Devices category. Entitled “A High-Performance Fungal Classification Innovation Using the Fusion of Thermal and Colour Images through Deep Learning,” the project was developed by Mr. Sirisit Santhamit, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Asanchai Sukkuea and Associate Professor Dr. Pensiri Ekchit.
This project combines thermal imaging and colour imaging with deep learning techniques to improve the speed and accuracy of fungal detection and classification. It represents an effective application of knowledge in engineering, artificial intelligence, and image processing to develop a tool that may be further applied in agriculture, the food industry, quality-control processes, and product-safety inspection.
Receiving these awards reflects the strong capabilities of graduate students in creating research and innovations that connect engineering knowledge with practical solutions to challenges in production and industry. The achievements also demonstrate the dedication of faculty members to supporting and developing students’ skills in research, analytical thinking, innovation, and the application of modern technologies.
The School of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University, proudly congratulates the award-winning students and their academic advisors on these outstanding achievements. Their commitment, hard work, and dedication have brought recognition to the International Engineering Program, the School of Engineering and Technology, and Walailak University.
These accomplishments also serve as an inspiration for other students to continue developing high-quality research and innovations that can generate meaningful benefits for society, industry, and the nation.
