Reporters: Asst.Prof.Nasaporn Thammachot, Asst.Prof.Kloyjai Krutjon, MissNamfon Channual, Asst.Prof.Chaiya Tanaphatsiri
Evidence Date: 24 October 2024
Related SDGs:
Related Indicators: 4.3.4
On 24 October 2024, the research team from Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS), led by Asst. Prof. Noppadon Podkumnerd, implemented the project “Application and Scaling of Appropriate Technologies for Agricultural Products in Central Southern Thailand to Enhance the Community-Based Economy,” funded by the Management Unit for Area-Based Development Fund (MUA) for FY 2024. The team conducted the delivery and technology transfer of solar-powered drying cabinets for agricultural products to local entrepreneurs across three subdistricts—Wangwan, Bang Mak, and Bang Pao—in Kantang District, Trang Province. The transfer event, presided over by the District Chief Officer and the District Agriculture Officer, included a community forum jointly coordinated by the Department of Agriculture and the Trang Provincial Agriculture Office. The forum focused on developing practical strategies for applying appropriate technologies in local product development, designating the selected communities as national pilot sites for scaling sustainable agricultural technologies.
Impact Result:
This research-based outreach initiative demonstrated substantial impact in the Research and Innovation dimension of SDG 4 (Education Outreach Activities Beyond Campus). First, it provided direct hands-on technology transfer to community entrepreneurs, equipping them with solar-drying innovations that reduce energy costs, improve product quality, and extend the shelf life of local agricultural goods. Second, it strengthened the capacity of local producers through experiential learning, enabling them to integrate appropriate technologies into value-added product development, thereby enhancing competitiveness in local and regional markets. Third, the project fostered collaborative learning between academia, government agencies, and local communities, creating a multi-stakeholder platform for sustainable knowledge exchange and innovation dissemination. Finally, by designating Trang’s pilot sites as national examples, the project established a scalable model for community-based economic development through applied research and technological innovation, reinforcing the university’s role as a driver of inclusive, lifelong learning and practical skill development beyond the campus.
This initiative clearly exemplifies how RUTS utilizes research and innovation as instruments for empowering communities, strengthening local economies, and expanding access to practical education, fully supporting the objectives of SDG 4 in promoting lifelong learning and outreach through higher education.
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