Time Higher Education or “THE” announced The Social Impact Ranking 2019 – KKU ranks between 101-200 of the world and the first of Thailand
April 3, 2018 – “THE” or Times Higher Education, a leading university ranking institution in England that is accepted by all universities in Thailand announced the university ranking in THE Social Impact Ranking 2019 or the universities that carry out social responsibility work and bring impact to the social. The ranking in this category is the first time and Khon Kaen is ranked within 101-200 of the world and the first in Thailand. This ranking is under 11 out of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations based on THE World University Impact Rankings 2019 (March 3, 2019). The first 4 social impacts that KKU scores the highest are: 1) promoting quality, equity and life-long education; 2) promoting good health among all age ranges; 3) lessening income gaps both in the country and internationally; and 4) coordinating with all sectors in the world for sustainable development.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul MD, President of Khon Kaen University said that during the past period, KKU has implemented many missions under the theme ““The University that devotes to the Society” or social devotion. This has led to the university’s high social impact. Besides teaching and research, we have served the community in 3 categories: 1. Education – KKU has implemented the Mathematics Education Project – developing school students, proficiency through KKU Smart Learning innovation, which will upgrade educational quality at primary and secondary levels. 2. Social – We have a poverty-solving project for communities in the Northeast based on knowledge in agriculture and technology, which solves occupational gaps and raise the quality of life of Isan people. 3. Health – Since KKU offers a lot of programs and carries out research work in health sciences, we have found solutions to many health problems of the people such as cascap, palliative patient care, solution of chronic kidney disease, etc. all of which have been conducted as social responsibility. This is why Khon Kaen University is ranked the highest in Thailand under the Social Impact Ranking 2019.
Assoc. Prof. Kittichai Triratanasirichai, former KKU president, who gave the philosophy, “The University that Cares for the Society” said, “What we have thought and done is social responsibility and problem solving. We have clear processes and approaches with indicators. This is why we are ranked the first in Thailand for social dedication. In fact, this concept emerged when I was the president. We thought there should be a caption that represents KKU, which has been for a long time a university that devotes to the social. We therefore came to a conclusion that Social Devotion should be the term that best explains what we have done. Our research work does not remain on the shelf but can be used to sustainably solve social problems. We are proud of this and we know that it is KKU’s success, the success we have continuously implemented. We believe that this will remain and will be carried out for a long time into the future until it becomes DNA of all professors, students, and staff members.
