NUOL faculty members, researchers and other participants at the inaugural roundtable meeting of the Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism Research Centre last week.

NUOL launches urban development research centre

The National University of Laos (NUOL) is contributing to the government's campaign to improve urban development and strengthen international research links with the establishment of a new research centre focused on sustainable architecture, climate resilience and better living environments across the Mekong region.
The inaugural roundtable meeting of the Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism Research Centre (SAURCE) was held on November 5 at the Lao-Japan Human Resource Development Institute at NUOL. 
The meeting brought together university leaders, faculty members, researchers and students to discuss the centre's establishment, objectives and future direction.
The event was chaired by NUOL Vice President, Prof. Dr Phouphet Kyophilavong and facilitated by Professor Masami Kobayashi, an Emeritus Professor at Meiji University in Japan, who has maintained academic cooperation with NUOL for more than a decade through various international programmes.
In his keynote address, Professor Kobayashi outlined the centre's vision, built around four key pillars: environmental sustainability and climate resilience; cultural identity and heritage preservation; well-being and social equity; and participation and co-creation.
He praised NUOL's progress in internationalising research and education, highlighting its expanding academic partnerships at regional and international levels.
SAURCE will comprise several research laboratories adopting multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. Its work will cover architecture, design, construction and the built environment, among other related fields, to address challenges facing cities and communities in Laos and the wider Mekong region.
The centre also aims to strengthen research and education on sustainable architecture, communities and urban development, while supporting implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, localisation of the global urban agenda and national urban development strategies.
Assoc. Prof. Soukanh Chithpanya, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, reported on the establishment and planned operations of the centre, explaining its role in supporting NUOL's transition towards Laboratory-Based Education.
Through graduate programmes, including master's and doctoral studies, the centre is expected to provide opportunities for advanced research and practical learning, while strengthening the university's research capacity.
Prof. Dr Phouphet Kyophilavong called on the relevant bodies to establish a management system to ensure the centre's effective operation. He identified fundraising and capacity building as key priorities for turning its vision and objectives into practical results.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update November 11, 2026)