On Wednesday, 29 January 2026, the Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization Office, Khon Kaen University, through the Division of Student and Alumni Development, co-hosted the Toyota Thailand Foundation Scholarship Award Ceremony for the 2025 academic year. The scholarships were presented to pupils and students in Thailand’s Northeastern Region.
The ceremony was held at Saisuree Jutikul Meeting Room, Faculty of Education, Khon Kaen University. Attendees included Mr. Pramon Suthiwong, Chairman of the Toyota Thailand Foundation; Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University; members of the Foundation Committee; educational administrators; faculty members; and student recipients.
Associate Professor Pensri Jaroenwanit, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization at Khon Kaen University, reported on the partnership’s history. She stated that the Toyota Thailand Foundation entrusted KKU to cooperate with the Foundation in selecting financially disadvantaged students at Matthayom 4 (Grade 10) level in the Northeast to receive continuous scholarships until they complete upper secondary education. Furthermore, the partnership supports these continuing scholarship students throughout their undergraduate studies at Khon Kaen University. This enduring collaboration has continued consecutively since the 2004 academic year, spanning over 22 years.
For the 2025 academic year, the Toyota Thailand Foundation awarded a total of 133 scholarships to students in the Northeastern region, amounting to 3,404,000 baht. These comprised 75 scholarships for Matthayom 4–6 students, 41 undergraduate scholarships, 7 nursing scholarships under the Border Patrol Police School Programme, and 10 nursing scholarships under the “Toyota: Sharing Opportunities, Creating Smiles” project. An additional operational budget of 300,000 baht was also provided.
In parallel, the Foundation has continuously supported the Toyota Thailand Foundation Nursing Scholarship since the 2010 academic year, with the objective of developing healthcare professionals from Northeastern communities. To date, 42 scholarship recipients have completed their studies and returned to serve in district and provincial hospitals in their hometowns, contributing sustainably to local healthcare capacity.
In his address, Mr. Pramon Suthiwong, Chairman of the Toyota Thailand Foundation, reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to supporting youth education in the Northeast. He emphasised the importance of creating educational opportunities and encouraging young people to utilise their knowledge to develop their communities and the nation. He remarked, “We share the conviction that education is the foundation for human development, and people are the crucial foundation for national development.”
Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, expressed his profound gratitude to the Toyota Thailand Foundation for their long-term philanthropic commitment. He acknowledged that the sustained creation of educational opportunities for underprivileged students is vital for developing high-quality human resources that drive the progress of society and the nation.
The ceremony concluded in a warm and inspiring atmosphere. Student representatives, including Ms. Nattakrita Saengpang, a Matthayom 6 student from Kaeng Khro Witthaya School, Chaiyaphum Province, and Ms. Patcharin Tarnwaowaew, a third-year student from the Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, delivered heartfelt messages of gratitude. They noted that the scholarship significantly reduced financial pressures, enabling them to focus fully on their studies, and pledged to use their education to contribute meaningfully to society in the future.
News: Panit Khatnak
Photographers: Punyawat Khunthip, Intern, 4th Year, Thai Language Programme, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Natdanai Upanan, Intern, 2nd Year (Transfer from Diploma), Sripatum University, Khon Kaen Campus
