On February 27, 2021, at the Reception Hall of the Northern Science Park (Chiang Mai), Asst. Prof. Dr. Kasemsak Uthaichana, Vice Director of Science and Technology Park, Chiang Mai University (CMU STeP), and the Assistant Director, Assist. Prof. Dr. Suriyah Thongmunee, led a team of CMU students representing the Northern region at the eighth edition of the Research to Market Thailand 2020 (RSM 2020) competition. Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai, M.D., Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, was the chair of the opening ceremony of the national intervarsity business plan competition, which was live streamed to avoid mass gathering during the pandemic.
Team CMUGency from Chiang Mai University was the first runner-up with the presentation of a vital sign monitor for assessing the condition of the patients while being transferred in an ambulance. The machine is capable of measuring four vital signs – electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level. It is a great pride for CMU to earn a place among the tops of the country.
The winner of the competition was Team GSAL from King Mongkut's University of Technology, Thonburi, which presented a biosensor that uses Raman scattering to detect salmonella. The second runner-up was Pre-ionics of Maejo University with the presentation of pure food nutrients for organic plants derived from organic matters, while Team Pro-assist from Ubon Ratchathani University and Team Khunprayat from Kohn Khaen University received the Honourable Mention awards.
The eighth edition of the Research to Market Thailand competition was hosted by CMU STeP as the coordinator of the Northern Science Park with support from the Science Park Promotion Agency (SPA), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation. 22 teams of university students from 16 STeP Network universities participated in the competition to present their research findings and innovation to the commercial world, while providing contributions to society based on the perspective of the new generation. CMU STeP is ready to support students full of ideas and capacity to become startup entrepreneurs who can contribute to the country’s economic development and well-being through science, technology, innovation, and research.