On Saturday, July 5, 2025, the Faculty of Architecture at Khon Kaen University, in collaboration with eight public and private sector partners, officially launched the “ISAN Creativity and Innovation Summit 2025” or ICIS 2025. The event, held from July 5 to 6 at the KKU Science Park, showcases creative works and innovations from across the Northeast. The opening ceremony was presided over by Ms. Teerarat Samrejvanich, Deputy Minister of the Interior, and was attended by university executives, network partners, and sponsors.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Teerarat praised Khon Kaen University—particularly the Faculty of Architecture—and its strong network of collaborators for organizing a regional platform that brings together researchers, academics, designers, entrepreneurs, and community enterprises. She emphasized that this collective effort successfully highlights how cultural heritage can be transformed into sustainable soft power and innovation.
She further stated that Khon Kaen University exemplifies how local assets can be creatively developed into innovations that add value. The key to this, she noted, lies in thinking outside the box. On behalf of the government, she expressed her full support for these efforts and affirmed her confidence in the potential of all regions, particularly the Northeast. She noted that these activities are not only for today but are investments in a shared future—one that positions Isan as a land of opportunity within the creative economy of the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kritpat Tapalabutr, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, explained that this year’s ICIS event is held under the theme “Isan Soft Power and Innovation,” highlighting its role as a key mechanism in advancing the creative economy within ASEAN and the Greater Mekong Subregion. The summit aims to serve as a regional business platform that supports student work developed under the School of Design and Innovation, while also opening opportunities for academics, industry experts, creative entrepreneurs, and investors from both Thailand and abroad to connect and collaborate.
Dr. Kritpat added that while Khon Kaen Province has long been active in developing creative economy spaces, this event marks a significant milestone. KKU has partnered with a large network to organize activities across multiple venues over a span of nine days, demonstrating the region’s readiness and the strength of its creative ecosystem to drive Thailand’s creative economy in a sustainable direction.
Mr. Saksit Polsantikul, Director of the Creative Economy Agency (CEA) Khon Kaen, expressed his appreciation for being part of the initiative. He noted that CEA has been actively promoting Isan as a creative economy zone for five consecutive years. He commended KKU as a key academic institution that not only produces new knowledge and research but also nurtures the next generation of creative talent. According to him, the university plays a vital role in propelling Isan toward becoming a sustainable creative economy region and in redefining the image of the Northeast as a hub of creative legends in Thailand.
Throughout the two-day summit, ICIS 2025 features a rich program of events, including a fashion show focused on sustainable design, a classical music performance by visually impaired musicians, a hackathon under the theme “Isan Bridge Soul Proud,” business matching sessions, exhibitions, and an international academic conference. The event centers on five major industry clusters that integrate innovation and design: soft power industries such as food, music, and performance; green innovation; medical and wellness innovation; agricultural innovation; and tourism innovation.
The ISAN Creativity and Innovation Summit 2025 is part of the broader “Mega Event Series of ISAN Creativity,” the largest creative event in the Northeast. Running from June 28 to July 6, 2025, this series of events results from the strong collaboration between KKU’s Faculty of Architecture and several key partners, including the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Mekong Institute (MI), Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), The Secret Sauce, Ad Lib Management Co., Ltd., KK Innovation Centre, and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Together, they aim to advance the concept of “Isan Soft Power and Innovation” as a strategic engine for the creative economy of ASEAN and the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Reported by: Panit Khattanak
Photography: Nattawut Jaruwong
To view more photos from the ICIS 2025 opening, visit the official ICIS 2025 Facebook page or the event website at https://arch.kku.ac.th/isan-summit-2025-icis
