On July 15, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, and Assoc. Prof. Pensri Jaroenwanit, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation, gave an exclusive interview on the program Journey of Dream at the new Spot Complex Gymnasium, Khon Kaen University. They shared the inspiration behind the creation of KKU Volleyball Academy, a program designed to transform the lives of youth in the Northeast through sport.
The program Journey of Dream is produced by Idemitsu Apollo (Thailand) Co., Ltd., with the goal of encouraging and supporting youth and educational institutions in community development. Now in its sixth episode, the company selected Khon Kaen University’s volleyball initiative for its focus on empowering athletes to pursue professional careers, while also providing pathways for further education through the KKU Volleyball Academy.
President Charnchai explained that the Academy was initiated from the vision of Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of the KKU Council. Recognizing the remarkable achievements of the Thai women’s volleyball team over the past decade—many of whom hail from the Northeast—he believed in the potential of young girls in the region to become professional athletes, and proposed that KKU support this effort in a systematic way.
KKU developed a comprehensive program covering all levels—primary, secondary, and university. Each year, 18 students are selected based on skill assessments, competitions, and interviews. The university provides full support including dormitories, nutrition, coaching, and medical care based on sports science. The academic program is made flexible without compromising educational standards, enabling students to pursue both academics and athletics. The goal is to produce professional athletes who also hold a university degree, inspiring schools and families to see sports as a viable career path.
Assoc. Prof. Pensri Jaroenwanit, Vice President and Chair of the Academy’s Executive Committee, further elaborated on the Academy’s strategic model, inspired by a “supply chain” concept—from upstream (primary and secondary school), midstream (university), to downstream (professional leagues). In collaboration with the Volleyball Association of Thailand and national team head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, the program was designed to be a national model.
During school visits, the team observed that many schools lacked proper facilities—some courts were unpaved, and students had little access to quality training. This prompted the creation of the KKU Women’s Volleyball Challenge tournament to identify and support qualified schools. The selected athletes receive comprehensive support: free tuition, housing, uniforms, equipment, academic development programs, protein supplements, and training stipends. “Many of these students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Assoc. Prof. Pensri. “This is about giving Northeastern girls a real chance at a better future.”
She concluded with two key beliefs: “First, opportunity is everything—you may not get another chance. Second, sports are a miracle medicine—they teach resilience, humility, friendship, and build strong bodies and communities.” She emphasized that the success of the program relies on the commitment of the university leadership, staff, and the passion of the student-athletes. “KKU Volleyball Academy is not just a training center—it’s a bridge that turns dreams into reality, helping Northeastern youth rise to become global champions.”
After the recording of Journey of Dream, Idemitsu Apollo (Thailand) Co., Ltd. donated scholarships of 10,000 THB each to support the Academy’s athletes, presented by the President of KKU, to partner schools including Ban Kud Chiang Mee School, Nong Ruea Wittaya School, and the KKU Academy team.
The episode will air on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. on MCOT Channel 30. Viewers are encouraged to tune in and follow updates or show their support for the KKU Volleyball Academy via Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/KKUVolleyballAcademy
