Enhancing capacity building in physics through senior project competitions can be one of Thailand’s most powerful strategies for cultivating a new generation of skilled and motivated physicists.

A “Royal Trophy,” bestowed by Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, is awarded to the winner of the senior project competition for sustained and outstanding achievements in a senior research project in physics, recognizing excellence in three specific areas: quantum technology, earth and space systems, and high-energy physics.

Manpower development and capacity building for students and young researchers can be a potent strategy to cultivate a new generation of skilled and motivated physicists capable of advancing frontier research in physics. In Thailand, through the Thai Physics Society, a senior project competition for physics undergraduate students is organized annually at the national conference named the “Siam Physics Congress (SPC).” The Siam Physics Congress is Thailand’s premier annual event for physicists and researchers in related fields to gather and share their latest findings and foster collaboration across a broad spectrum of physics and applied sciences. The SPC also offers young researchers and students a platform to showcase their research work, learn from established experts, and build professional networks that extend beyond national boundaries.

Terms and conditions for joining the competition are as follows:

• The senior project for physics undergraduate students must be an undergraduate independent study project in physics, either completed a year before or in the current year of the competition.

• The student must submit the project abstract according to the template for undergraduate independent study projects in physics. The judging committee will consider the abstract’s suitability.

• The judging committee screens and selects suitable projects for the competition. The second round of project selection is announced, and the students must submit the complete reports of their undergraduate independent study projects.

  

  The “Royal Trophy” winner and prize money with a certificate for the senior project “Boosting Photosynthesis in Rice Full size image Carbon Quantum Dots

All projects approved in the second round will be invited to give oral presentations in the final round at the Siam Physics Congress, and the winner will receive a “Royal Trophy” bestowed by Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, along with prize money and a certificate. The first and second runners-up, as well as two honorary mentions, will receive prize money and certificates.

The Thai Physics Society recognizes the importance of supporting the implementation of Thai frontier research in physics by promoting capacity building for students and young researchers in these three frontier research fields.

The CQDs produced using microwave pyrolysis technique from 0.75 grams of cucumber, 770 watts, and 3 minutes. CQDs synthesized under these conditions can stimulate light emission at 390 nm, producing blue fluorescence with maximum intensity at 450 nm wavelength—inset-CQD sprayed directly to leaves enhance rice photosynthesis efficiency

Examples of the final round senior project competition contest for physics undergraduate students are as follows:

The Siam Physics Congress is organized annually as the central national conference in Thailand. Every year, a few hundred physicists, as well as graduate and undergraduate students in physics, participate in this national conference. The following are examples of the final-round senior project competition for physics undergraduate students in 2024. Twelve projects were approved for oral presentations at the SPC 2024 conference.

Capacity building activities, such as undergraduate senior project competitions, can significantly contribute to the development of physics in Thailand in several ways. Such competitions can motivate students to come up with new ideas and conduct original research. By working on senior undergraduate projects, students gain hands-on experience in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and solving complex problems. These practical skills will be invaluable for their future careers in physics or related fields. Moreover, competitions provide a platform for students to showcase their talents and hard work. This recognition can boost their confidence and inspire them to pursue advanced degrees or careers in physics, while addressing the needs of human resource development pursuant to the “Thailand Frontier Research Roadmap (2020–2027),” helping to promote potentially fundamental research areas in Quantum Technology, Earth and Space System, and High-Energy Physics.

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