January 29, 2021 – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree Inprasitha, KKU Vice President for Education and Academic Service and Asst. Prof. Natthaphat Ananteerakul, Assistant to the President for Education and Academic Service led staff members from the Bureau of Academic Service, who were responsible for the area to discuss the implementation approaches and analyze needs of the ‘One Tambon One University’ Project with the administrators of Kud Khao Sub-district Administrative Organization, Manja Khiri District, Khon Kaen
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree Inprasitha, KKU Vice President for Education and Academic Service explained about the background of the ‘One Tambon One University’ Project, “About 10% of the economic groups that have impact on the national development are big companies, with 30% of these being SMEs and 60% are root economic groups that develop their businesses via big companies that account for 10% of the countries in order to lead SMEs and root economic groups. This results in clustering of the rich groups. In addition, during the recent past, Thailand expected to rely on SMEs. However, SMEs at present receive impact from the spread of the Coronavirus, COVID-19. Therefore, the country has to turn to the root economy, which accounts for 60%. This is the emerging of the ‘One Tambon One University’ Project. This project is aimed at universities’ transfer of knowledge and advanced skills to assist in developing sub-district economy by integration of all sectors. The KKU’s Bureau of Academic Service is now taking responsibility over 9 sub-districts in Phu Wiang District, 4 sub-districts in Phu Phaman District, and one sub-district in Manja Khiri District.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree added, “The activities will be school-based, with expectation for sustainability. The youths now learn to carry out various activities with the community. In the future, they will return to and develop the locality.”
Mr. Somsin Chuawong, President of Kud Khao Sub-district Administrative Organization related about the strength of the area in order to have an idea for the activities. Many villages in Kud Khao Sub-district are on Chi River. The people’s main occupation therefore growing rice and sugar cane. They grow vegetables as the second occupation. There is a big reservoir where TAO has a plan to develop it into a tourism spot, a recreation and an exercise place. There is another plan to develop a water market to raise incomes for the community in the future.
Mr. Praphat Preechalert, Permanent Secretary of Kud Khao Sub-district Administrative Organization explained about the need to enhance academic knowledge for the villagers in agriculture, manufacturing of community products to increase their incomes, and in management of community wastes.
Mrs. Laklada Chareechai, Director of Cultural and Religious Education said there is a need to develop a local training program under collaboration with the young children center and the local school. This will be in accordance with the activities so that a sustainable learning center will be established for the community people.
By Prapaporn Khanchai
