Khon Kaen, Thailand – Over 700 students from Khon Kaen University (KKU), representing 12 different academic disciplines, presented the results of their semester-long community engagement projects during a “Show and Share” event held on October 5, 2025, at the Poj Sarasin Building (GL315).

 

 The event marked the culmination of the General Education course GE153158: Community Lifestyles and Community Learning, which required students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world issues within the Ban Ped Municipal area in Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province, throughout the first semester of Academic Year 2025.

The community work was structured in two phases. The initial phase, conducted on August 16–17, 2025, focused on hands-on learning through fieldwork and establishing key learning objectives in collaboration with local residents. The second phase, on September 27, 2025, involved translating academic knowledge into concrete, actionable projects.

   

In total, students developed 12 distinct community development initiatives addressing various dimensions of local life. These projects included:

• Safety and Security: Campaigns to raise awareness and prevent fraud, such as “Understanding and Preventing Scams” and “Publicizing Call Center Dangers.”
• Youth Development: A project focused on educating students at Ban Ped Municipal School about drug prevention.
• Environmental Sustainability: The “Multi-Colored Waste Separation for a Sustainable World” project, promoting effective waste management.
• Health and Nutrition: The “Smart Eat Kids Conquer NCDs” project, aimed at improving nutritional knowledge and preventing non-communicable diseases in children.
• Infrastructure and Public Space: Initiatives like “Adding Color to the Road,” which enhanced traffic safety, and “Art Sala of Happiness,” which renovated public spaces into community relaxation and activity centers.
• Essential Services: Projects addressing household electrical safety (“Safe Community, Far from Electrical Danger”) and water scarcity (“Water Power for the Community”), which improved local water systems.

Assistant Professor Dr. Anucha Somabut, Assistant to the President for Education and Acting Director of the General Education Institute, emphasized the importance of the course in developing essential professional skills. He noted that while teamwork often presents a challenge for students, it is an unavoidable necessity in the professional world, making this course a crucial platform for practicing collaborative skills.

Associate Professor Dr. Piyathida Kuhirunyaratn, Chair of the course, expressed pride in the students’ effective collaboration, highlighting that their efforts not only enriched their learning experience but also yielded tangible results for the community. She confirmed that all educational materials, innovations, and infrastructure improvements created by the students would be handed over to the Ban Ped community for sustainable use.

Teerayut Thiptamyae, a third-year Education student majoring in Art Education, shared his perspective, stating that the fieldwork provided invaluable learning outside the classroom and significantly improved his teamwork abilities. He expressed pride in seeing residents benefit from the projects, reinforcing the importance of applying knowledge to social development.

 

         The event also recognized outstanding projects through a Popular Vote:

• First Place: “Full of Happiness, Full of Heart, Caring for the Community,” by third-year Physical Education students.
• Second Place: “Smart Eat Kids Conquer NCDs,” by third-year Primary Education students.
• Third Place: “Water Power for the Community,” by third-year Materials Science and Nanotechnology students.

This initiative successfully demonstrated the General Education program’s commitment to producing graduates who possess both academic competence and a strong sense of social responsibility. The Ban Ped community benefited from sustainable improvements in infrastructure, health, safety, and public awareness, while students gained practical experience in translating theory into practice, creative problem-solving, and teamwork, aligning with KKU’s mission to foster socially responsible graduates.

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