On 6 March 2026, Khon Kaen University, led by the Office of Legal and Corporate Communications in collaboration with university executives, deans, heads of departments, and 62 partner organisations, hosted the “KKU Societal Contribution” fair. The event, held on the ground floor of Khon Kaen Railway Station, was officially opened by Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University.
Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul M.D., President of Khon Kaen University. stated that this year’s fair has grown, with 62 internal and external partner organisations involved to accommodate the increasing number of attendees each year. The event operates under the principle of providing free, comprehensive, and equitable services to the public. The university is committed to engaging with society across all dimensions, including education, health, and career and livelihood enhancement. This initiative reinforces the university’s role in serving society, strengthening community trust, and acting as a reliable resource to address and guide the resolution of community and social issues in a tangible manner. Furthermore, the university promotes multi-sectoral participation in community and social development to achieve shared sustainability, positioning itself as a leader in thought and a driver of creative and responsible solutions to societal challenges.
The President added, “This KKU Societal Contribution fair will be of great benefit to the public. It helps alleviate the financial burden of health check-ups and provides everyone with equal access to quality healthcare services. Participants will also gain valuable knowledge from experts to solve problems and improve their well-being, which will ultimately benefit the nation as a whole.”
Mrs. Natsamol Tanakulrungsarit, Vice President for Legal and Communications, explained that the event aligns with Khon Kaen University’s strategic direction of Societal Contribution. It aims to support and strengthen communities by applying knowledge, technology, and innovation to create economic and social value, promote careers and education, and ensure public health and sustainable development cooperation. The fair serves over 95 communities in the Khon Kaen area, with services divided into four main categories: health services; education and consultation; community enterprise, where KKU provides academic knowledge to empower community networks to improve their livelihoods and sell high-quality, affordable agricultural products; and pet healthcare. This initiative, carried out with the cooperation of numerous partners, underscores KKU’s ongoing commitment to community service and social impact.
Mrs. Maneechan Wongpohsarn, 60, from the Non Nong Wat 4 community in Mueang District, Khon Kaen, shared, “I participate in selling community products here every year. We received product design training from the Office of Academic Service and the Faculty of Architecture at Khon Kaen University. Our women’s group makes woven bags, a traditional Thai handicraft using natural materials like bamboo, rattan, sedge, or palm leaves. The woven patterns reflect our way of life and provide a supplementary income. I am very grateful to Khon Kaen University for providing both knowledge and opportunities to expand our customer base and improve our quality of life.”
Master Piriyakorn Charoensuk, a student from Siharat Dechochai School in Mueang District, Khon Kaen, said, “This is my first time attending, having learned about it on Facebook. I came straight to the Faculty of Nursing booth, where they were teaching CPR for young children. There are many primary school children at my school, and if an emergency were to happen to a child or an elderly person in the community, the CPR skills I’ve learned here could help save a life. I am very impressed with how large and diverse the event is. After I finish secondary school, I hope to study at Khon Kaen University to use my knowledge to help society.”
Ms. Padiwarada Seelakhot, a Master of Nursing Science student in Paediatric Nursing at the Faculty of Nursing, remarked, “CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is a life-saving technique for individuals who are about to stop breathing or whose heart is about to stop. Basic life support is a vital skill for everyone. When an incident occurs, the first responder acts as a preliminary medic to sustain the patient’s life before they reach the hospital. Holding this event annually increases awareness and encourages people to learn CPR.”
Ms. Thanyaporn Onsomboon, also a Master of Nursing Science student, added, “Accidents such as children drowning in public places like seas, canals, or ponds are common. When students, parents, and the public learn the correct CPR techniques, they gain the confidence to save lives during the ‘golden period,’ which can sustain breathing and reduce damage to vital organs like the brain, heart, or lungs. Today’s programme instils in Thai youth a sense of social responsibility. It’s heartening to see students and the public showing greater interest in learning life-saving skills. Being here with volunteer staff who share our organisation’s value of social devotion inspires us to seek more opportunities to share our knowledge and help society.”
Mr. Thanadol Narula, a second-year Finance major from the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy, mentioned that he applied his knowledge of finance, accounting, marketing, pricing, and packaging design to assist the “Baan Pen Suk” organic rice community in Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province. “I am delighted to have applied what I’ve learned in the classroom to a real community, helping them develop a marketable product that generates income,” he said.
The KKU Societal Contribution fair is not merely about providing public services in health, education, and career development; it is about genuinely and sustainably uplifting the lives of community members.
Services offered free of charge at the event included: Oral health check-ups, dental fillings, and extractions; basic health screenings; influenza vaccinations; breast cancer screenings; pain management consultations and acupuncture; facial skin and scalp analysis; Body Scan and traditional Chinese medicine consultations; preliminary heart health and ECG screenings; basic life support training; traditional Thai massage, eye and knee compresses; liver fluke and cervical cancer screenings; mental health assessments; hypertension screening; and nicotine addiction counselling. Exhibitions provided academic information on significant parasitic diseases in Thailand, natural history specimen preservation, construction and building use consultations, food product knowledge and processing, a Metaverse experience, a Virtual Exhibition, the CPRobot, and legal and business strategy consultations, including advice on relocating abroad. Pet care services, including vaccinations for dogs and cats, were also available, alongside exhibitions promoting academic services, career development for community groups, farmers, and persons with disabilities.
The event was made possible through the collaboration of 62 partner organisations, including: The Royal Dental Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, KKU; Khon Kaen Railway Station; Khon Kaen Municipality; Srinagarind Hospital; Queen Sirikit Heart Center of the Northeast; Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science; Central Blood Bank, Faculty of Medicine; Department of Anesthesiology and Nurse Anesthetists, Faculty of Medicine; Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine; Traditional Thai Medicine Research and Service Center, Faculty of Public Health; Medical Technology and Physical Therapy Service Center, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences; Community Pharmacy, KKU; Faculty of Nursing; Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts; Faculty of Architecture; College of Local Administration; Science and Innovation Service Center, Faculty of Science; Faculty of Agriculture; College of Computing; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Graduate Study in Management (MBA KKU); Graduate School; Center for Legal Research and Academic Services, Faculty of Law; Faculty of Education; Faculty of Technology; College of International Studies; Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies; Office of Academic Service; University Library; Institute for Strategic Research and Cooperation for Northeastern Development; KKU Academy; Mekong Health Sciences Research Institute; Royal Projects Coordination Center; Museum and Lifelong Learning Center; Srinagarind Hospital’s Center of Excellence in Medicine (SMC); Cell Therapy Center, KKU; Wellness and Medical Innovation Zone Management Center, KKU; KKU Enterprise; Agriculture and Food Pilot Plant; Medical Science Center 7 Khon Kaen; Rotary Club of Khon Kaen Mittraphap; Thailand Post; Government Savings Bank Region 11; DPO Northeastern Regional Office; Khon Kaen Botanical Garden; Islamic Bank of Thailand; Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Ubolratana Dam); National Telecom Public Company Limited; Provincial Electricity Authority Khon Kaen 2 (Maliwan Branch); National Healthcare Systems (N Health); Mittraphap Khon Kaen 2002 Ice Factory; Rachawadee Resort & Hotel; Thai Life Insurance PCL, Khon Kaen Branch; Buildings and Grounds Division; Utilities and Environment Division; Security Division; Sports Division; Legal Division; KKU More Care Counseling and Guidance Center; Student Development and Alumni Relations Division; Manee Anusorn Suksa School; Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute; and Sila Municipality.
