Chulalongkorn University president elected to lead Asian Universities Alliance

Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat of Chulalongkorn University has been elected president of the Asian Universities Alliance for 2027–2029, making him the first Thai university leader to head the regional group. The appointment puts a Thai institution at the center of a 15-member Asian higher education network focused on research, innovation and academic cooperation.

Why it matters: - The election gives Thailand its first top leader in the Asian Universities Alliance, a regional network of major universities across Asia. - The move raises Chulalongkorn University’s profile inside a group that helps shape cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and academic exchange. - The appointment also adds another leadership role for Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat at a time when Asian universities are weighing governance reform and industry engagement.

What happened: - Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, president of Chulalongkorn University, was elected president of the Asian Universities Alliance for the 2027–2029 term. - The election was unanimously approved during the AUA Board Meeting 2026 in early June at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan. - The vote took place during the AUA Presidents Forum 2026. - The appointment makes Dr. Wilert the first Thai university leader to head the alliance.

The details: - The forum theme was “Shaping Future Universities: Industry Engagement and Governance Innovation.” - University presidents and senior executives from leading institutions across Asia attended to discuss the future direction of higher education and university governance. - The AUA was founded in 2017. - The alliance includes 15 leading universities from countries and economic regions across Asia. - Members include Tsinghua University, Peking University, the National University of Singapore, the University of Tokyo, Seoul National University and Universiti Malaya. - The alliance was created to strengthen collaboration in higher education, science, technology and economic development across Asia. - The AUA also aims to enhance the region’s role on the global stage. - Chulalongkorn University is the alliance’s only founding member from Thailand. - Dr. Wilert presented a vision on “Future University Governance Models” during the forum. - His presentation focused on governance strategies meant to strengthen institutional resilience, innovation and engagement with industry and society. - Dr. Wilert also serves as president of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand, president of the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning and president of the Asia-Europe Meeting Lifelong Learning Hub for the 2025–2030 term. - Chulalongkorn University was founded in 1917. - The university will celebrate its 110th anniversary next year. - More information is available in the university’s announcement.

Between the lines: - The unanimous vote suggests broad support for Chulalongkorn University’s leadership inside the alliance. - The appointment reflects a wider push by Asian universities to rethink governance while deepening links with industry and society. - For Thailand, the role signals growing influence in a regional higher education network that includes some of Asia’s most prominent institutions.

What's next: - Dr. Wilert will take over the AUA presidency for the 2027–2029 term. - Chulalongkorn University is likely to use the role to expand its regional reach and strengthen collaboration with peer institutions. - The alliance is expected to continue focusing on governance innovation, industry engagement and cross-border academic cooperation.

The bottom line: - A Thai university leader will guide one of Asia’s key higher education alliances for the first time, marking a milestone for Chulalongkorn University and Thailand’s university sector.