“Facilitator for Design Thinking x Entrepreneurial Mindset” workshop

On March 23, 2025, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL), through its International Affairs Office, organized the “Facilitator for Design Thinking x Entrepreneurial Mindset” workshop to enhance the potential of faculty members to become Design Thinking Facilitators. These facilitators play a key role in applying the Design Thinking process to foster innovation and develop 21st-century skills. The program specifically focuses on integrating Design Thinking into teaching and curriculum development to promote entrepreneurship competencies, as well as expanding the Design Thinking network through collaboration with international partners to create a positive impact and promote global knowledge exchange.

The opening ceremony of the workshop was graced by Assistant Professor Pisit Wimonthanasit, Vice President for Planning, Policy, and Strategy, who presided over the event. Assistant Professor Dr. Thitibhorn Phantachang, Assistant to the President, delivered a report on the objectives and importance of the program.

The workshop is being held from March 23-24, 2025, at the Innovation Room on the 6th floor of the Chalerm Phra Kiat 56th Anniversary Building, RMUTL, with 40 faculty members from various faculties and colleges participating in the event.

The workshop is supported by a team of Design Thinking experts from RMUTL, who have received training from Singapore Polytechnic and have extensive experience applying Design Thinking in the Learning Express project, as well as in teaching, curriculum design, and research. The team of five facilitators includes:

• Dr. Nopadol Manee-thian, Director of the College of Technology and Interdisciplinary Studies

• Associate Professor Supharapan Khoncheab and Lecturer Kritika Inta from the Faculty of Business Administration and Liberal Arts

• Associate Professor Phattarawadee Thong-ngam and Dr. Jureephorn Luekha from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture

The goal of this workshop is to enhance participants' knowledge and skills in applying Design Thinking to foster sustainable innovation and development in organizations and society.

Design Thinking is a problem-solving process that emphasizes deeply understanding problems by placing the user at the center. This process combines creativity and perspectives from diverse individuals to offer ideas and solutions, as well as testing and refining those ideas to produce results or innovations that truly address users' needs and the context in which they operate (DEX Space, 2016).

Currently, several leading educational institutions in Thailand, such as Chulalongkorn University, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, and Suranaree University of Technology, have applied Design Thinking in curriculum development and teaching to align with modern contexts. These universities have also introduced courses aimed at producing graduates with skills and competencies that meet the needs of employers.

Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna has a policy to promote entrepreneurship among students, alumni, and the general public by leveraging the university’s research, technology, and innovation expertise. The university focuses on advancing Entrepreneurship to Smart Entrepreneurship by developing entrepreneurs who possess skills in applying creative technology and innovation. This approach plays a vital role in driving the economy and society in the present era, as it helps create jobs, innovate, and enhance competitive capabilities at both regional and global levels.

In addition, RMUTL has academic collaboration with Singapore Polytechnic in organizing the Learning Express (LeX) workshop series, which has integrated Design Thinking as its core since 2016. The program plays a crucial role in developing students' skills in design thinking, 21st-century skills, and creating innovations to solve community challenges. Furthermore, it supports the development of faculty members who serve as Design Thinking Facilitators to lead activities using design thinking techniques through a variety of workshops and events.

Gallery : “Facilitator for Design Thinking x Entrepreneurial Mindset”