Faculty of Technology upgrades Thai agricultural industry with technologies and AI for unlimited growth on the occasion of the 35th anniversary
August 27, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. – Faculty of Technology celebrates the 35th anniversary. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul M.D., Adviser of KKU Acting President presided over the opening ceremony. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pornthep Thanonkaew, Dean of the faculty conveyed the reporting speech. Mr. Songsak Thongthai, President of Khon Kaen Industrial Council gave a special talk on Thai agricultural industry. Representatives from governmental and private organizations such as Hall of Commerce, Industrial Council, network academic institutions and mass media joined. The event took place at TE Outlet, Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul M.D., Adviser of KKU Acting President said in his opening address that agricultural industry is an important industry of the country. The 12th National Social and Economic Development and Thailand 4.0 policy state that Thailand is the ASEAN and the world secure food source. Therefore, Thai industry must grow in parallel with the rest of the world. We are able to do so by developing supply chain, biotechnology especially in the Northeast where cash crops are cultivated such as sugarcane, cassava, rice. These cash crops can be manufactured in various products and thus increase revenues to entrepreneurs and agriculture. Khon Kaen University therefore founded the learning center for agricultural industry or TE Outlet with an aim to serve both inside and outside organizations and agencies including the Hall of Commerce and Industrial Council in terms of product manufacturing. The center also provides assistance in equipment and tools for manufacturing purposes which will in turn lead to national economic growth.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pornthep Thanonkaew, Dean of the Faculty of Technology added that the objective of this event is to publicize the progress of the faculty all through the past 35 years and the innovations in agricultural industry that have been applied in a great number of products and goods, which help raise the quality of life of Thai people.
Mr. Songsak Thongthai, President of Khon Kaen Industrial Council said, “The propulsion of Thai agricultural industry is at present done on an individual basis, with high investment but low production. In the near future, Khon Kaen will be the prototype in clustering different agricultural industrial networks and expanding them at the national level. Industry will from now on be administered in the cooperative style, by sharing of farm machines and equipment such as backhoes, tilling machines, etc. We will join with academic institutions to introduce AI technology, satellite images for measuring sweetness of sugarcane, etc. Besides, we need to regularly study how to manufacture other agricultural produces. For instance, if the price of sugarcane is low, it can be used to produce biodiesel for use in big plots. I believe that the Hall of Commerce and Industry want to join together in order to reduce costs and reduce PM 2.5 from trash burning. The remaining money can then be put in funding for assisting farmers.”
News / photos: Jiraporn Pratomchai
[Thai]
[rl_gallery id=”3912″]