May 29, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. until 13:00 p.m. – Khon Kaen University by the Sustainable Social and Innovation Center, International College, joined the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) under the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPC) to launch the research project named “Ugly Veggies Plus – Extension of Business Model based on Retrospective Technology and Low Carbon Circulating Economy for Sustainable Management of Supply Chain and Export of Organic Food Products”. The event took place at Kandhavas Place, The Athenee Hotel Bangkok.
Asst. Prof. Sirimonbhorn Thipsingh, Ph.D., Dean of the International College and Prof. Thidarat Boonmars, Ph.D., Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise, Khon Kaen University, welcomed the participants including: researchers, academicians, entrepreneurs and news correspondents. Assoc. Prof. Paninee Narutaradon, Ph.D., Director of the Sustainable Social and Innovation Center, International College, Khon Kaen University, delivered the reporting speech for the project. The event was honored to have Dr. Pongwipa Lorsomboon, Chairperson of the Sub-committee of the Circulating Economy, Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) giving the opening address.
Dr. Pongwipa Lorsomboon, Chairperson of the Sub-committee of the Circulating Economy, Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC), mentioned in her opening speech that PMUC, which is under National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPC), has one mission to provide research funding that will upgrade entrepreneurs, through accelerating the utilization of research outcomes and innovation to create products and services with high commercial values that will increase the national competitiveness and develop the economic value for creating sustainable low-carbon society. The “Ugly Veggies Plus” research project has been granted funding for 1 year as it greatly corresponds to the vision and mission of PMUC in deployment of production supply chain and export of organic food products. The project relies on retrospective technology and low-carbon circulating economy.
Prof. Thidarat Boonmars, Ph.D., Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise, Khon Kaen University, said that Khon Kaen University disseminates knowledge and creates innovations for the community and society through education and research that are in accordance with the situation and needs of Isan region. Besides, Khon Kaen University has the role to promote and develop communities in Isan through organizing of academic, cultural and service activities that benefit the local development in Isan. KKU has a mission to collaborate with various governmental and private organizations to carry out research works that upgrade the quality of life of people. For instance, PMUC, Faculty of Technology, Faculty of Sciences, Khon Kaen University, and the International College of Mahidol University, have cooperated in organizing this activity. Research and development has been ongoing to sustainably solve the environmental problems.
Assoc. Prof. Paninee Narutaradon, Ph.D., Director of the Sustainable Social and Innovation Center, International College, Khon Kaen University explained about the objectives of and summarized the research project. There are 2 main objectives, namely, to develop a business model for retrospective checking of organic foods using the Blockchain as s digital platform for checking 4 types of foods: online organic vegetables, foods at organic restaurants, fresh organic foods in supermarkets, and manufactured organic foods in supermarkets. There are 3 organic food recipes with blockchain application and nutritional assessment. A study was also conducted on citizen science related to perception of consumers and communication society. There was a comparative study on the retrospective test model of block chain for the 4 types of foods. In addition, certain products have been developed such as degradable plastic bags and fertilizers, the by-product of organic vegetable wastes. Finally, the environmental impact study was conducted on the organic food business using a model. The outcomes were found for the block chain digital platform in order that the research outcomes (technology and information) can be transferred to consumers, farmers, logistics suppliers and business networks.
Moreover, Dr. Paninee made an overall conclusion of the project, which comprised the following sub-activities: 1) retrospective innovation technology, 2) high-protein food innovation, 3) ready-for planting soil innovation, 4) bio-plastic innovation, 5) life cycle assessment, and 6) Citizen Sciences Consumer Behavior, Marketing and Business Model and Financial Forecast. Additionally the Ugly Veggies Plus Project is cooperated by 2 companies: 1) ARZIO Co. Ltd., a frontline technological company that has been in Thailand for over 10 years with many network companies. This company is administered by Khun Apichai Ruangsiripiyakul who is well known in the circle. 2) WEAL Consultant Co. Ltd. that produces Jelly Joy Fiber product.
Asst. Prof. Sirimonbhorn Thipsingh, Ph.D., Dean of the International College, Khon Kaen University said at the end that the goal of the Sustainable Social and Innovation Center, International College is to empower the world population and enhance the changes to sustainability through education, research and innovation, and community development with quality. In addition the Center is determined to enhance and promote entrepreneurs in terms of internationalization through the use of academic knowledge in business. Collaboration is to be made with science and technology organizations or other fields to jointly develop the quality of entrepreneurs. The “Ugly Veggies Plus” Project answers the governmental policy in deploying BCG economy or the economic model towards sustainable development. This is the new theoretical economy that integrates 3 aspects of development, namely, bio economy, circulating economy and extension of academic knowledge in business for national development and strength of creative economy at the local level, national level, and international level.
News: Jiraporn Pratomchai
