March 8, 2021 at 13:30 p.m. – Khon Kaen University held an opening ceremony of the Integrated Socio-economic Upgrading of Sub-districts Project (U2T) and a learning and sharing meeting on socio-economic upgrading at the sub-district level. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University conveyed an opening address, while Prof. Dr. Thidarat Boonmars, Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise made a reporting speech. The ceremony was honored by Dr. Somsak Jungtrakoon, Khon Kaen Governor, who made a speech to support the project. Among those attending included members of KKU University Council, vice presidents, deans, lecturers and project officers, totaling over 100 people. The opening ceremony took place at Sirikunakorn Room 3, 2nd Floor, Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University.
Khon Kaen University has been assigned by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to conduct the Integrated Socio-economic Upgrading of Sub-districts Project (U2T), which is the agreement of the cabinet on October 6, 2020. Universities in the locality are the system integrators. Implementation includes employment of people to revive the economy and society in all aspects according to the problems and needs of the local people.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said, “The implementation of the Integrated Socio-economic Upgrading of Sub-districts Project emphasizes application of knowledge, technologies and innovation to help upgrading social and economic situations in the locality through employment of people. Besides solving the problem of unemployment and raising incomes, those who are employed are also developed in terms of different skills and knowledge and enabled to draw out their potentiality. These people understand the problems in their hometown and are aware that the knowledge received from the university and various local wisdoms can bring benefits to the locality. They are also ready to develop their sub-district to become sustainably self-dependent. I truly hope that Khon Kaen University, our network universities, governmental and private organizations and the locality will cooperate to drive forward the Integrated Socio-economic Upgrading of Sub-districts Project, which will solve the poverty problem and revive the root economy of the Northeast.”
Prof. Dr. Thidarat Boonmars, Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise, Khon Kaen University said, “The Integrated Socio-economic Upgrading of Sub-districts Project is aimed at bringing knowledge in technologies and innovation to upgrade the socio-economic situation in the community through employment of people. Besides solving the problem of unemployment, it will build incomes for the people. They can also develop themselves in different skills and will be able to draw their own potentialities, which are the project’s goal. The project will finally prove that the sub-districts can rely on themselves sustainably in the near future.”
Dr. Somsak Jungtrakoon, Khon Kaen Governor supported the project by saying, “The Integrated Socio-economic Upgrading of Sub-districts Project is another mean to promote farmers in the community to grow and increase the chance to make the economy grow. I’d like all parts concerned to cooperate and make the project reach its destination. Khon Kaen University will be the resource and a model for economic development in the community and finally in the country.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Darunee Chotisayangkoon, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture added, “The U2T Project will prove that the graduates will be able to bring the knowledge and skills to help the community through their working process.”
This project emerged from the collaboration of several organizations both inside and outside Khon Kaen University, including the governmental and private organizations, the 8 Northeast network universities, and 16 faculties and institutes in Khon Kaen University, namely, 1) Faculty of Agriculture, 2) Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, 3) Faculty of Technology, 4) Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy, 5) Faculty of Nursing, 6) Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, 7) Faculty of Engineering, 8) Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, 9) Faculty of Economics, 10) Faculty of Architecture, 11) Faculty of Interdisciplinary Sciences, 12) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 13) Faculty of Public Health, 14) College of Local Administration, 15) International College, and 16) Academic Service Bureau. Three more faculties take responsibilities in providing training to the employed people: 1) Faculty of Sciences, 2) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and 3) Faculty of Education. There are 20 jobs available for each sub-district. The project implementation will depend on the locality and the responsible organization. The employment period will be 11 months beginning in February and ending in December, 2021. It is expected that the Integrated Socio-economic Upgrading of Sub-districts Project (U2T) will help solve the poverty problems in the community and sustainably restore the root economy of the Northeast.
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Photos: Natthawut Phetpraphai
