Thursday May 18, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. – The Coordinating Center for the Royal Projects of Khon Kaen University organized the “Resource Conservation Fair – Home Hug”. The opening ceremony was presided over by Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University.
Miss Taneeya Naiyapinit, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen Province delivered the welcoming speech to vice administrators of RSPG, administrators of official departments in the Upper Northeast, KKU administrators, lecturers, personnel and the network institutions.
Prof. Thidarat Boonmars, Ph.D., Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise of Khon Kaen University gave the reporting speech by saying that Khon Kaen University has been carrying out the Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Intention since 1997.
The work carried out included research and development of the utilization of indigenous resources in the Upper Northeast, with the aim and objectives to develop conservation personnel and develop 3 resource bases, namely: physical resources, biological resources, and cultural and wisdom resources in the country for benefits of Thai people.
On this occasion, the Coordinating Center for the Royal Projects of Khon Kaen University therefore organized the “Resource Conservation Fair – Home Hug” on May 18-19, 2023 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of KKU, the University of Creativity and Social Development.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said that the Resource Conservation Fair – Home Hug” had as its aims to be the medium in presentation of the outcomes of the works under the Royal intention in the Upper Northeast so that people see the importance of the works, which have been done in accordance with the RSPG’s guidelines and to build collaboration among the network institutions in the Upper Northeast in performing research work and academic services following the framework of Royal Plant Genetic Conservation Project.
“Thank you all guest speakers and the departments joining in organizing the exhibitions, the Coordinating Center for the Royal Projects of Khon Kaen University and distinguished guests. I believe that the participants will receive the knowledge and approaches useful for carrying out the works under the Royal intention and will get to know the network institutions with similar purposes.”
After the opening ceremony, Miss Taneeya Naiyapinit, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen Province; Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University; administrators of 16 institutions, 6 coordinating centers and participants totaling over 500 people visited the exhibitions of the biological garden, schools, Local Resource Base Association, and RSPG units.
KKU transfers knowledge and builds occupations for the community.
Asst. Prof. Somporn Ketkaew, Ph.D., Acting Deputy Director of the Coordinating Center for the Royal Projects of Khon Kaen University, a researcher of Yangna Integrated Project of Khon Kaen University stated that today the research team has brought over 10 samples of products from rubber tree species such as Yangna oil, borneol, soap, facial washing foam and cosmetics for local administrative organizations, community people, teachers and students of different schools to see the prototypes of innovations that can be developed to build incomes for the future.
Khon Kaen University is ready to transfer all of the collections of knowledge for all sectors interested, especially the local resource management community. It is hoped that Yangna will bring values to the community. At the same time, KKU has developed different equipment and tools such as a drier, a blender, a Yangna extracting machine, and an agitator to sell at low prices. These are sold in the market for hundreds of thousands, but the university sells them for just tens of thousands to the community.
“Khon Kaen University works for the Royal projects by carrying out research and developing Yangna until there are today innovations and a lot of products, which are exhibited at the fair. The products are well accepted. Many network members are interested to learn more. We are happy that things we are doing benefit people and help promote and strengthen community economy.”
Place for youths to join in resource conservation
A representative of a 12th graders of Khamkaennakorn School, one of the schools that join the school biological garden network said that he was pleased and proud to come to arrange the exhibition of plants in the rubber species. He was happy to be working under the Royal Project and help conserving community plants such as some rubber species that are now nearly extinct.
Interested public can join the “Resource Conservation Fair – Home Hug” at the area in front of Kaen Kalaphruek Building, Khon Kaen University on May 18-19, 2023; or following Live on Facebook Page of the Coordinating Center for the Royal Projects of Khon Kaen University. The fair features special talks of administrators of RSPG, administrators of institutions and local departments in Khon Kaen and a forum of the Royal Project network under RSPG.
In addition, there was a forum of the schools’ biological garden network and local resource base network’ presentation of students’ biological works, activities for students, painting presentation, poem composing, short films, and Isan art and cultural performances, selling of products from communities and from the Royal Projects, altogether totaling more than ten booths.
Photos: Taradon Na Jampasak, a student majoring in Tourism Industry Management, KKBS
News: Phanit Khatanak
