On 15 November 2568, the Northeastern Regional Science Park 2 hosted the 13th Regional Round of the Research to Market (R2M#13) Programme competition.
The opening ceremony was honoured by the attendance of Assistant Professor Papakorn Pittayachawal, Ph.D., Director of the Northeastern Regional Science Park 2, who delivered the opening remarks. The Khon Kaen University Science Park, led by Dr. Apirachai Wongsriwarapol, Director, participated alongside staff, management, personnel, researchers, and students from the Northeastern Science Park network at Hall 1 (A305) on the third floor of the Northeastern Regional Science Park 2 Administration Building.
The competition featured representatives from four universities in the Northeast region: Mahasarakham University, Suranaree University of Technology, Ubon Ratchathani University, and Khon Kaen University (KKU). They presented various research outcomes poised for commercialisation to a panel of experts from diverse governmental and private sectors.
Khon Kaen University was highly successful, securing two awards: the First Runner-up and the Second Runner-up prizes.
Mr. Thepparat Singsutham, a student from the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy (KKBS) and a member of the ‘Phor Krub Phom Yak Pen Miss Grand’ team (First Runner-up), stated, “Our successful bioproduct, BG Power, is composed of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, liquid nutrient solution, and agricultural culture media. It effectively increases the nitrogen content available for crops, helping to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and benefiting the environment. Our team, consisting of third-year marketing technology majors, saw the potential to extend this research into actual sales. Since my family are farmers, I also saw a business gap where we could genuinely help farmers boost their income.”
Mr. Thepparat added, “The key factor securing the award was the distinction and commercial viability of the research; it directly addresses customer problems. Furthermore, we had a strong, supportive team that enabled us to pitch and answer questions clearly. We are delighted to qualify, as this competition was a return effort after not winning last year. Our intention this time was to perform our absolute best.”
The ‘Phor Krub Phom Yak Pen Miss Grand’ team, the First Runner-up from Khon Kaen University, received a prize of 15,000 Baht and a plaque. Their winning research focused on the Kosakonia radicincitans biofertiliser (BG Power), mentored by Assistant Professor Suwanna Niemsanit, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University. The team consisted of four students from the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy: Miss Jetsirin Kaewkum, Miss Laura Khutny, Mr. Thepparat Singsutham, and Mr. Pisitpong Narongchai.
The winning students have qualified to represent the Northeastern region in the national round of the competition, which will be held at Prince of Songkla University Science Park in February 2569.
