A team of undergraduate students from Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Engineering earned the third-place prize at the Sony Smart Factory Hackathon 2025, validating the strength of the university’s computer engineering curriculum in preparing future talent for the digital industry.

Students from the Computer Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University (KKU), brought honour to the institution by winning the 3rd Place Award at the Hackathon Day of the Sony Smart Factory Hackathon 2025 Project. The event was organised by Sony Device Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. at their facility in Pathum Thani Province.

The award-winning team comprised Mr. Pisit Srichamnat, Mr. Natthanon Kittkram, and Mr. Chaiyawat Thongloetwong, all Computer Engineering students. The team’s academic advisors, Professor Dr. Wanida Kanarkard and Assistant Professor Dr. Manasawee Kaenampornpan, provided close mentorship and support, enabling the students to successfully develop and present an outstanding solution addressing a simulated real-world industrial factory scenario. They competed against undergraduate students from universities across the nation.

The competition was designed to allow students to apply classroom knowledge to real industrial challenges. This was achieved through a structured learning programme incorporating workshops led by experts from leading companies, systematic teamwork, and direct presentation of outputs to an industrial judging committee. The process helped to enhance the students’ technical proficiency, analytical thinking, and professional communication skills.

The Computer Engineering Program at the KKU Faculty of Engineering had only one team selected to participate in the final round of the Smart Factory Hackathon 2025—one of just ten teams overall. This achievement distinctly reflects the students’ capability in effectively applying knowledge of Programming and Web Application development, combined with a strong understanding of the context of modern industrial factories.

This success further corroborates the rigorous educational management of the Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, in producing highly qualified graduates prepared to step forward as Modern Engineers who truly meet the demands of the digital industry and the Smart Factory concept.