RUTS collaboration with NGOs for SDGs: Student Volunteering Programmes, Research Programme

29 Jan 2023

Reporter :

Dr Lamun Kayurin

Mrs.Suchada Jeensuksang

Ms.ApitchayaLimpanapittayatorn

Mr.Varutcha Chanchampa

Mr.Panuwat Noonkong

Mr.Rachen Arkarod

Evidence date: January – December 2023

Related to:

Indicator relate to : 17.2, 17.2.5

In 2023, RUTS collaborates with NGO for SDGs to tackle the SDGs through: student volunteering programme, research programme and development of educational resources.

For example, RUTS conducts a collaborative initiative with the Marine Science and Environmental Science program at the Faculty of Fisheries Science and Technology to advance SDG 14: Life Below Water. This project conducted in March 2023 that involved providing practical training on seagrass ecosystems to participants, including students, teachers, and staff from a local secondary school. The educational activity aimed to foster awareness and understanding of the critical role of seagrass ecosystems in marine environments. The activity includes a presentation on seagrass species classification along the Andaman coast, the role of seagrass ecosystems, and their sustainable conservation and restoration. Additionally, students are encouraged to join fieldwork in Kam Bay, Trang Province, exploring biodiversity, density, and surveying aquatic life within the seagrass beds. By participating in these activities, youth gain insight into seagrass’s role in coastal ecosystems and the need for its sustainable conservation, supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development goals.

Moreover, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) plays a key role in preserving Thailand’s coastal ecosystems. Led by Assistant Professor Porntep Wirachwong, the Marine Science and Environment program at RUTS has initiated the “Seagrass Restoration Project in Ban Tha Kham, Mod Tanoi, Pak Kong and Laem Sai Village, Trang province, in partnership with the local community. The project provides education and training to a variety of stakeholders—students, tourists, and coastal communities—through seagrass restoration learning centers in each village. This capacity-building initiative cultivates essential expertise in seagrass restoration, which is vital for the effective development and execution of restoration programs Additionally, the Learning Center’s support for seagrass planting significantly contributes to marine conservation. By supplying seedlings and guidance, the Center aids in the restoration and protection of seagrass ecosystems for future generations. These activities align with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14), which focuses on preserving and enhancing existing ecosystems and their biodiversity, particularly the threatened seagrass ecosystems in Trang Province, Thailand.