The Office of Academic Service (OAS), Khon Kaen University (KKU), is advancing its network for its social engagement and partnership network by joining forces with the Government Savings Bank (GSB) Region 11, which operates as a Social Bank. The consultation aimed to devise strategies for improving the quality of life for the “vulnerable population” and “tourism communities,” preparing to utilise the successful strategies of the “Ban Thung Pong Model” to scale up sustainable career creation in 2026.
On 3 December 2025, at 14:00 hrs, Associate Professor Chuchat Kamollerd, D.V.M., Ph.D., Director of the KKU Office of Academic Service, accompanied by Assistant Professor Surapol Nesusin, Ph.D., Deputy Director, and Mr. Prapaporn Khanchai, Head of the Sustainable Academic Service Mission, met with executives of GSB Region 11. The GSB delegation was led by Mr. Widsanu Chonhai, Assistant Director of Region 11 for Social and Community Development, and the working committee, at the meeting room on the 4th floor of GSB Region 11. The meeting focused on proactive cooperation pathways for social and community development.
Reaffirming the “Social Bank” Stance: Supporting the Vulnerable Population
The meeting addressed key issues related to driving mission-oriented social development, with particular emphasis on supporting vulnerable populations and persons with disabilities, who require integrated and long-term support mechanisms. Both organisations agreed on the following collaborative directions:
- Extracting Success Strategies: The model of successful quality-of-life development for people with disabilities implemented by the “Ban Thung Pong Disabled Group” in Ubolratana District, Khon Kaen Province, spearheaded by Ms. Kesaraporn Luangchan, will be used as a blueprint for joint planning. This ensures that support provided to people with disabilities in other areas is efficient and well-targeted.
- Expanding Career Creation: Building upon GSB’s previous support for the Creative Children Foundation (Autism Group, Bueng Thung Sang), which involved creating careers for parents through crochet, the current consultation focused on diversifying and broadening the scope of these career-building activities towards greater sustainability.
Setting the 2026 Target: Supporting Tourism Communities and Community Artisans
For the operational direction in 2026, GSB Region 11 plans to align with government policy by emphasising economic promotion through “tourism communities” and skill development for “community artisans.” KKU’s Office of Academic Service is prepared to integrate knowledge and innovation to strengthen the potential of these communities, enabling them to generate income and achieve self-reliance, thus meeting the stipulated goals.
This consultation represents a strategic milestone in cooperation between a higher education institution and a financial institution, effectively combining academic expertise with social finance mechanisms. The partnership aims to foster inclusive economic growth, cultivate a culture of saving, and sustainably improve the quality of life of Thai communities, in line with GSB’s mission as a Social Bank.
