Wednesday September 27, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. – Khon Kaen University held the 4th KKU CSV “Khon Kaen University and Community Services”. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University presided over the opening ceremony. Ajarn Natsamol Tanakulrungsarit, Assistant to the President for Special Affairs gave the reporting speech. The opening ceremony, held at the first floor area of Khon Kaen Railway Station, was attended by a great number of KKU administrators.
“Khon Kaen University and Community Services” is an activity under the KKU CSV Project, aiming at creating shared values to the society, instilling social values and organizational culture of social dedication. The knowledge, expertise, innovations, research and academic works of Khon Kaen University are applied for benefits of the society through systematic and efficient social services.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said that “Khon Kaen University and Community Services” under the KKU CSV Strategy or Creating Shared Value is held this year to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Khon Kaen University, which is on January 25, 2024. The event emphasizes the social dedication philosophy of Khon Kaen University. The work of social dedication is like caution for the University personnel to think about the people and bring their expertise, innovations, research and academic work to serve the community with high efficiency and systems.
Ajarn Natsamol Tanakulrungsarit, Assistant to the President for Special Affairs, KKU, said that this year, the fair is greater than last year, for there were 32 organizations, both from KKU and outside participating. People coming to the fair will receive services in 4 aspects namely, 1) health services – examining oral health, tooth scaling, filling, and pulling by the Faculty of Dentistry; primary health checking including measuring blood pressure, blood sugar, nutritional advice, flu vaccination, screening breast cancer, abdominal ultrasound, respiratory clinic, alimentary clinic, kidney clinic, ear, neck and nose clinic, bones and joints clinic, eye clinic, medicine clinic and primary health clinic; occupational promotion services – preparation of documents for applying standards in agricultural practices by the Research Strategy and Coordination for Northeast Development; Metaverse Experience – passport and reading promotion by KKU Library; law consultation – daily laws such as laws related to loan, debt payment demand, selling and buying, different transactions by Division of Law; and services related to pet care – pet health checking, rabies vaccination, preventing heart worms, ticks and flea killing, and giving pet care products for free.
Mrs. Sangwan Ngaoraksa, aged 43 years, Chairperson of Ban Po Tak Fish Manufacturing Community Enterprise, Nongrua District, Khon Kaen said, “Our group received academic support in product design, food preservation, drying fish by solar energy from many faculties of Khon Kaen University. The training was organized by the Office of Academic Administration of Khon Kaen University. In the past, we did not know how to develop our products and packed them in plastic bags. The products did not look attractive and the selling was only 50%. When we were trained by KKU, our products became improved and sell at all channels such as booths, online, Facebook. The selling increased to 100%. We are happy that the people in the community earn incomes and have their occupation. Big thanks to KKU.”
Mr. Kaenchai Prasatmongkon, aged 41 years from the Night Market Community, Nai Muang Sub-district, Muang District, Khon Kaen said, “I learned about the fair from FM 103 Mhz. I thought I was going to take strayed dogs and cats to receive vaccination at the Animal Hospital to reduce danger from rabies in the community. But we don’t have enough budget. If we take the strayed animals there, the cost would be high. The fair today is free of charge and the officers took good care of the animals. I’d like the event to be held every year.”
Miss Sirilak Yaka-ne, a student from SiharatDechochai School revealed, “I want to train to apply CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) to help patients who are stopping to breath so that they will breathe normally. I want to learn how to pump the heart correctly and in time. In case I come across someone who is fainting, then I will be able to help him or her. The officers taught us simply, with a lot of fun. They told us how to help people step by step. I don’t know when the situation will happen, but at least I know how to help someone in need.”
Grandma Khampong Thai-on, aged 76 years from Ban Khokngam Community, Ban Pa Wai, Ban Fang District, Khon Kaen said, “My daughter knew about the event from Khon Kaen University’s Facebook, so she asked me to come. I’m impressed with the officers, and there is no charge. I went to many booths, primary health check-up, scaling, and screening for breast cancer. It was convenient and I did not have to wait long. I also learned how to take care of myself at this age so that I won’t be a burden to my children in the future. I’d like the fair to be held every year. A lot of appreciation to the working teams.”
Mrs. Kiatporn Chua-ponthong, a senior professional nurse of Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University added, “Our duty is to help people. Today, I’m happy to be part of the breast cancer screening team. This is the academic research unit for the community. The rate of patients with breast cancer increases every year. Formerly, it was 20 per 100,000 people and now it increases to 40 per 100,000 people. After screening and the first stage found, the patient can be transferred for treatment in time. At Srinagarind Hospital the treatment is full cycle, care, consultation, treatment. The disease is curable if we know it in time. For example, today there was a patient with a lump similar to cancer. She was 36 years old. We made appointment for memo gram scanning to see whether it is cancer or not. I’d like everyone to screen this at least once a year. At the booth we also taught how to check breast cancer by oneself.”
The fair began with President Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., delivered the opening speech. Next. Assoc. Prof. Chupong Thongkhamsamut, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Architecture led a group of students to beat the drum for a good auspicious event. This was followed by performance of SinSai Band from the Faculty of Fine and Applied Art. Then the President gave out certificates to the organizations that join in organizing different activities. After this, the President, Deans and administrators walked from booth to booth and talked with the people who came.
“Khon Kaen University and Community Services” is the four times the event has been organized. It answers the social dedication philosophy and strategy of Khon Kaen University’s administration in transformation of academic services from the former approach to one using knowledge, technologies, innovations for sustainable development. Khon Kaen University people believe that the devotion to work this time will promote better living among the community and lead to growth of the country.
News / Photos: Communications Division, Khon Kaen University
Jiraporn Prathomchai
