KKU transfers knowledge in creative product development and community involvement

July 8, 2021 – Khon Kaen University by the Art, Culture and Creative Economy Section, the Cultural Center and the Faculty of Architecture held a workshop on “Creative Product Development and Community Involvement”. The workshop opening ceremony was presided over by Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture and Creative Economy. Dr. Ladawan Seephachai, Acting Director of the Cultural Center made a welcoming speech to participants. Asst. Prof. Surakan Ruaysungnoen, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Architecture made a reporting speech. Among attendants at the opening session were Dr. Kittisan Sriraksa, Assistant to the President for Art, Culture and Creative Economy; Ajarn Apinya Asarat, Acting Deputy Director of the Cultural Center; and Ajarn Kanthida Boonserm, Acting Deputy Director of the Cultural Center. Participants were small entrepreneurs in Khon Kaen. The training took place at the Cultural Center Khum See Than, Khon Kaen University.

The workshop on “Creative Product Development and Community Involvement” is one of the academic service missions for the community and small entrepreneurs, to guide them how to develop products and packages for their own use. With the knowledge and skill, they will be able to create jobs, increase incomes, and strengthen their community. At the same time, local wisdom, human resource development, community’s creativity, strong root economy, local resources and culture that differ from one area to another are promoted. The other expectation is the form, quality, standard and identity, which can be improved and will add to the values of the products, making them under demand among consumers, bringing incomes to the community, and reducing poverty problems.

The workshop that targeted community enterprises and small entrepreneurs was also aimed at having the participants exchange information and train to create cultural-based products. The trainees, besides creating their own products through participatory activities, had a chance to do the activity together, which also led to community strength. The workshop trainers were from the Faculty of Architecture, led by Ajarn Phakhinee Plengdeesakul, Ajarn Akkaphon Lamuang and the team. The participants came in 10 groups of entrepreneurs: Phang Thui wicker group, Phang Thui Pattanasuksa School, Ban Nong Ya Plong Natural Cotton Dyeing Group, Dinosaur Bamboo Wicker Group, Dinosaur Reed Mat Weaving Group, Khok Phutaka Weaving Group, Ban Nano Reed Product Group, Nong Ya Plong Weaving Group, Ban Sabaijit Group, Somjainuk Silk Group, and Phai Tawan Kratip Wicker Group.

The outcome products from the workshop will be exhibited on August 20-22, 2021 at Central Plaza Shopping Center, Khon Kaen. Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture and Creative Economy said that the workshop was aimed at enabling the community people and entrepreneurs to create contemporary art and cultural products. This means creative economy, for the products will ultimately bring incomes to the community. The Cultural Center and the Faculty of Architecture have continuously cooperated in carrying out activities with the community, targeting cultural, social, religious, and economic nurturing. Learning and sharing, as well as creating values for the art and cultural products are emphasized, based on the concept of creative economy and promotion of the outcomes at ASEAN and international levels. The “Creative Product Development and Community Involvement” project also serves the society, the youths and interested people. It promotes creativity and imagination, and at the same time enables trainees to see the value of the nature and the environment, instilling indirectly good conscience towards the community and enabling them to use the knowledge in real life.

Asst. Prof. Surakan Ruaysungnoen, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Architecture said that the Cultural Center and the Faculty of Architecture organized the workshop on Creative Product Development and Community Involvement to enhance community participation, to have small entrepreneurs and community enterprise groups learn and share together. Through the activity that they did together, the outcomes would be creative products that will be put on an exhibition on August 20-22, 2021 at Central Plaza Shopping Center Khon Kaen.

Dr. Ladawan Seephachai, Acting Director of the Cultural Center added that this workshop was meant to serve and strengthen the community through involvement. The workshop trained them to have knowledge and understanding in developing products and packages, which would bring jobs and incomes to them, and hence would reduce the poverty problems. It is expected that the products would be developed until they are in demand among consumer groups. This is possible through the emphases placed on standard, quality and identity of each of the area.

[Thai]

Scroll to Top