KKU International Affairs Division Integrates Cultural Insight and SDG Strategy in Bangkok Study Tour

27 February 2026
16:33

The initiative aimed to enhance staff capacity in international hospitality and align the University’s global cooperation plans with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The International Affairs Division of Khon Kaen University (KKU) organised a professional development study tour in Bangkok from 19–21 February 2026. The delegation was led by Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Ph.D., Assistant to the President for International Affairs, and Mr. Isara Suriyagul Na Ayudhaya, Acting Director of the International Affairs Division, accompanied by the division’s staff. The tour aimed to enhance skills in international guest reception and to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the University’s international cooperation strategies.

A key highlight of the tour on the morning of Friday, 20 February 2026, was a visit to Museum Siam (the National Discovery Museum Institute). The KKU delegation explored Thai art and culture through the “Decoding Thainess” exhibition. They were warmly welcomed by Dr. Twarath Sutabutr, a member of the Khon Kaen University Council and Director of the Office of Knowledge Management and Development (OKMD) and Museum Siam, and Ms. Songthip Sermsawatśri, Director of Venue Development and Services at Museum Siam, who gave a special presentation.

The tour provided an in-depth look into the history of Thailand’s ethnic groups, the amalgamation of foreign cultural influences, and the evolution of “Thainess” across different eras. This included insights into architecture, social etiquette, beliefs, and Thai-led innovations. This learning experience is vital for the International Affairs Division staff, equipping them with a profound cultural context to accurately and impressively articulate Thai identity to diplomatic corps and international visitors at Khon Kaen University.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Thailand office for a knowledge-sharing session. Mr. Kaan Ram-Indra, Head of Programme at UNDP Thailand, delivered a lecture on strategies for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. The presentation outlined UNDP’s work, which focuses on three core development pillars: a green and sustainable transition, human capital enhancement, and inclusive development that leaves no one behind. Mr. Ram-Indra also introduced concepts such as Policy Innovation through the human-centred Thailand Policy Lab and the crucial mechanism of SDG Localisation, which translates global goals into practical, local-level actions.

Khon Kaen University’s Role in Driving Community-Focused SDGs

The study tour catalysed proactive discussions on integrating the SDGs into Khon Kaen University’s strategic plan. This integration aligns with the University’s Net Zero and Carbon Neutrality policies and its objectives for the THE Impact Rankings. A key outcome was the recognition of KKU’s role as “Intern Doctors” under the SDG Clinic project, where the University will provide mentorship and advisory support to provinces and local administrative organisations in the Northeast. The delegation also planned to adopt management tools from UNDP Thailand, such as the SDG Profile and Open Data platforms, to reduce budgetary redundancy and harmonise collaboration between higher education institutions, the public sector, and civil society for effective and sustainable regional development.

The study tour from 19–21 February 2026, therefore, represents a significant step in broadening the vision of Khon Kaen University’s International Affairs Division. By linking the nation’s foundational cultural dimensions with a global vision for sustainable development, the initiative strengthens KKU’s capacity to advance its presence on the international stage with distinction.