Khon Kaen University Signs MOU with UNFPA to Foster Global Collaboration and Empower Students for Sustainable Societal Development

24 September 2025
11:25

On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Khon Kaen University (KKU) held a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), marking a new milestone in global academic cooperation. The ceremony was presided over by Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, together with KKU executives, including Assoc. Prof. Pensri Jaroenwanit, Ph.D, Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization, Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Ph.D, Assistant to the President for International Affairs, as well as deans and faculty members. They warmly welcomed Ms. Siriluck Chiengwong, Head of UNFPA Thailand Country Office, along with her delegation, at Sarasin Meeting Room, 2nd floor, Sirikunakorn Building.

President Charnchai emphasized that this partnership represents a powerful force in bringing global policies into practice, with education and youth as the key drivers. He underlined UNFPA’s crucial role in enhancing education management and student development at KKU to meet the challenges of the modern world. He expressed his hope that the collaboration will serve as a strong starting point for strengthening cooperation and delivering tangible benefits to KKU, its partners, and society at large.

Assoc. Prof. Pensri Jaroenwanit noted that today’s youth are at the center of social transformation. Collaboration with UNFPA provides a vital opportunity to empower students academically, in leadership, and in community engagement, guided by the “EGGS” framework that reflects the identity of KKU students in the 21st century: Ethical, Global, Grounded, and Sustainable.

Under this partnership, students will have opportunities to participate in diverse activities ranging from training programs, field research, and capacity-building workshops to leadership initiatives on key issues such as sexual and reproductive health, mental health, gender-based violence prevention, inclusive society building, and preparedness for demographic shifts in the future.

Echoing this vision, Ms. Siriluck Chiengwong reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment as the UN’s lead agency on population and development to provide knowledge, evidence-based data, and rights-based approaches to drive flagship programs. These programs integrate research, learning, and systemic transformation, with youth at the heart of advancing sustainable development.

“Khon Kaen University is not only a leading institution in the Northeast but also a national and ASEAN leader in innovation. UNFPA is proud to become a partner in supporting academic collaboration and sustainable student development, aligned with the SDGs—SDG 3 on good health and well-being, SDG 5 on gender equality, SDG 16 on data-driven governance, and SDG 17 on partnerships. Together, we aim to generate knowledge and innovation not only for Khon Kaen, but also for Thailand, ASEAN, and the global community,” she stated.

The signing ceremony concluded in an atmosphere of celebration, symbolizing the beginning of a strong partnership between Khon Kaen University and UNFPA. Beyond academic cooperation, the collaboration reflects a shared long-term vision to elevate education, research, and social development, while promoting youth leadership, gender equality, elderly care, and sustainable development at national and regional levels. Ultimately, it paves the way for KKU students to become truly global citizens.