Outreach and Engagement Research and Innovation Teaching and Learning

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

11 Mar 2024

Reporter Dr Lamun Kayurin

Evidence date: 11^th March 2024, 25^th March 2024

Related to:

Indicator relate to : 17.2, 17.2.5

In 2024, RUTS collaborated with NGO for SDGs to tackle the SDGs through: student Mvolunteering programme, research programme and development of educational resources.

For example, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS), in partnership with the Marine Science and Environmental Science Program of the Faculty of Fisheries Science and Technology, has strengthened its commitment to achieving SDG 14: Life Below Water.

As part of this initiative, RUTS Trang Campus organised a marine conservation awareness project on March 11, 2024. The program focused on mangrove ecology training, marine environmental assessment, water quality monitoring, and marine debris research, involving 100 students from Benjamarachutit School in Nakhon Si Thammarat. A key feature of the initiative was a field study conducted at Hat Mod Tanoy Beach in Koh Libong Sub-district, Trang Province. During this activity, students took part in seagrass surveys and restoration efforts. Seagrass meadows play a crucial ecological role as feeding and nursery habitats for fish, shrimp, and blue crabs, while also providing essential food sources for endangered marine species such as sea turtles and dugongs. In conclusion, the project had a significant impact by fostering environmental awareness and practical conservation skills among young learners. Through hands-on participation in seagrass restoration and marine ecosystem studies, students gained a deeper understanding of coastal biodiversity and the importance of protecting marine habitats. The initiative not only contributed to the preservation of local marine ecosystems but also inspired youth engagement in sustainable ocean stewardship, reinforcing RUTS’s commitment to advancing SDG 14: Life Below Water.

Furthermore, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS), through its Marine Science and Environment program, has taken a leadership role in advancing marine ecosystem conservation in Southern Thailand. Under the guidance of Assistant Professor Porntep Wirachwong, the university launched the “Seagrass Restoration Project: Oasis Model × SDG 14 – Life Below Water” at Libong Island, Trang Province, in collaboration with the Government Savings Bank (GSB) and the local coastal community. The project aims to develop effective seagrass restoration methods that improve the survival and growth of transplanted seagrass species in degraded marine areas.

On 25^th March 2024, RUTS–Trang Campus and GSB officially implemented the Oasis Model × SDG 14 project by establishing a demonstration seagrass plot on Koh Libong. The activity combined scientific knowledge and community participation. Participants received hands-on training in seagrass ecology and transplantation techniques, guided by Assistant Professor Wirachwong and his academic team. More than 200 participants joined the restoration effort, including government officials, GSB staff, personnel from the Koh Libong Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, representatives of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization, students from Ban Batu Pu-Tae School, community volunteers, and RUTS students. Collectively, the team successfully transplanted 1,400 seagrass units during the first phase of the project. As a results, This initiative demonstrates how university-community partnerships can effectively contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). The project not only enhances seagrass habitat restoration and marine biodiversity but also builds local environmental stewardship and scientific literacy among community members and students. By integrating academic expertise, corporate social responsibility, and local participation, the RUTS Seagrass Restoration Project serves as a model for sustainable coastal ecosystem management. It reinforces RUTS’s commitment to environmental sustainability, experiential education, and collaborative innovation in addressing regional and global marine conservation challenges.