On 6 March 2026, Khon Kaen University, led by the Office of Legal and Corporate Communications, along with university administrators, deans, heads of departments, and a network of over 62 partner organisations, hosted the “KKU Societal Contribution” fair. Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, delivered the opening remarks at the event, held on the ground floor of Khon Kaen Railway Station.
Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul stated that this year’s fair brought together 62 internal and external partner organisations to accommodate the growing 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 in all dimensions—education, health, career enhancement, and well-being—to reinforce its role in creating public benefit, strengthening community trust, and serving as a reliable resource for addressing societal challenges,” he said. “Furthermore, KKU fosters multi-sectoral participation in community and social development to achieve shared sustainability, positioning itself as a thought leader that drives creative and responsible solutions to societal issues.”
The President added, “This KKU Societal Contribution fair provides significant benefits to the public, alleviating the financial burden of health check-ups and ensuring everyone has equal access to quality healthcare services. Participants also gain valuable knowledge from experts to solve problems and improve their quality of life, which will ultimately benefit the nation.”
Mrs. Natsamol Tanakulrungsarit, Vice President for Legal and Corporate Communications, explained that the fair aligns with Khon Kaen University’s strategic direction of academic service for societal benefit, or “Societal Contribution.” The initiative aims to support and strengthen communities by leveraging knowledge, technology, and innovation to create economic and social value. It promotes professional development, education, healthcare, and sustainable collaboration, reaching over 95 communities in the Khon Kaen area. Services are organised into four main categories: health services; education and consultation; career development for communities that have successfully applied KKU’s academic expertise to improve their livelihoods, who in turn sell high-quality, affordable agricultural products at the fair; and pet healthcare. The event, made possible through the cooperation of a wide network of partners, underscores KKU’s continuous dedication to community service and social impact.
Mrs. Maneechan Vongphosarn, a 60-year-old from the Non Nong Wat 4 community in Mueang District, Khon Kaen, shared her experience: “I sell our community’s products here every year. We learned product design from the Office of Academic Service and the Faculty of Architecture at Khon Kaen University. Our housewives’ group creates woven bags, a traditional Thai craft using natural materials like bamboo, rattan, sedge, or palm leaves. This has become a supplementary source of income for us. I am very grateful to Khon Kaen University for providing both the knowledge and the opportunity to expand our customer base and improve our quality of life.”
Master Phiriyakorn Charoensuk, a student from Seeharat Dechochai School in Mueang District, Khon Kaen, said, “This is my first time attending. I heard about the event on Facebook and came straight to the Faculty of Nursing booth, where they were teaching CPR for young children. My school has many primary school students, and this knowledge could be vital if an emergency happens to a child or an elderly person in the community. I feel much more prepared to help save a life. I’m very impressed by how extensive the event is, with so many booths offering different learning opportunities. After I graduate from high school, I hope to study at Khon Kaen University and use my education to continue helping society.”
Ms. Padiwarada Seelakhot, a Master of Nursing Science student in Paediatric Nursing at the Faculty of Nursing, stated, “Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a life-saving technique for individuals who are about to stop breathing or whose heart is about to stop beating. Basic life support skills are essential for everyone. When an incident occurs, the first responders are often bystanders, and their actions are crucial in sustaining a patient’s life before they reach the hospital. Hosting this booth annually raises awareness and promotes the importance of learning CPR.”
Ms. Thanyaporn Onsomboon, also a Master of Nursing Science student, added, “A common accident is drowning in public water bodies like seas, canals, or ponds. When students, parents, and the general public learn the correct CPR techniques, they gain the confidence to act during the critical ‘golden minute,’ potentially saving a life or reducing damage to vital organs such as the brain, heart, or lungs. Today’s programme instils in Thai youth a sense of responsibility to use their knowledge to help society. It’s heartening to see so many people eager to learn these life-saving skills. Working alongside dedicated staff who share our commitment to social devotion further inspires us to share our knowledge and contribute even more to the community.”
Mr. Tanadol Narula, a second-year Finance major from the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy, said, “I applied my knowledge of finance, accounting, marketing, pricing, and packaging design to assist the ‘Bensuk Organic Rice’ community in Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province. I’m delighted that I could take what I learned in the classroom and apply it in a real-world community setting, helping them develop a product that is now on the market and generating income.”
The KKU Societal Contribution fair is more than just a provider of public services in health, education, and career development; it is a catalyst for genuine and sustainable improvement in the lives of community members.
The fair offered a comprehensive range of free services, including: oral health check-ups, fillings, and extractions; general health screenings and flu vaccinations; breast cancer screening; pain consultation and acupuncture; skin and scalp analysis; Body Scan and traditional Chinese medicine consultations; initial heart health screenings and electrocardiograms (ECG); basic life support (CPR) training; traditional Thai massage, eye compresses for relaxation, and knee poultices for pain relief; liver fluke and cervical cancer screenings; mental health assessments and initial counselling; hypertension screening; nicotine addiction assessment and counselling. Educational exhibits featured information on major parasitic diseases in Thailand, natural history specimen preservation, and a Metaverse experience with a virtual exhibition and a CPRobot. Consultations were available on construction and building use, food product development and processing, legal matters, business strategy, and immigration. Pet care services included vaccinations for dogs and cats. The event also showcased academic services and career promotion initiatives for community groups, farmers, and people with disabilities.
The success of the event was due to the collaboration of 62 partner organisations: the Royal Dental Unit of the Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University; Khon Kaen Railway Station; Khon Kaen Municipality; Srinagarind Hospital; Queen Sirikit Heart Center of the Northeast; the Animal Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; the Central Blood Bank of the Faculty of Medicine; the Department of Anesthesiology and the Anesthesia Nursing Unit, Faculty of Medicine; the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine; the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine; the Research and Service Center for Traditional Thai Medicine, Faculty of Public Health; the Health Service Center of Associated Medical Sciences and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences; the Community Pharmacy Laboratory, Khon Kaen University; the Faculty of Nursing; the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts; the Faculty of Architecture; the College of Local Administration; the Science and Innovation Service Center, Faculty of Science; the Faculty of Agriculture; the College of Computing; the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; the College of Graduate Study in Management (MBA KKU); the Graduate School; the Center for Legal Research and Academic Services, Faculty of Law; the Faculty of Education; the Faculty of Technology; the International College; the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies; the Office of Academic Service; the Library; the Institute for Strategy and Cooperation for Northeastern Development, Khon Kaen University; the KKU Academy; the Mekong Health Science Research Institute; the Royal Initiative Project Coordination Center, Khon Kaen University; the Museum and Lifelong Learning Center; the Srinagarind Hospital’s Center of Excellence in Medicine (SMC); the Cell Therapy Center, Khon Kaen University; the Wellness and Medical Innovation Zone, Khon Kaen University; the KKU Enterprise Center; the Agriculture and Food Pilot Plant; the Medical Sciences Center 7, Khon Kaen; the Rotary Club of Khon Kaen Mittraphap; Thailand Post; Government Savings Bank Region 11; the North-Eastern Regional Office of the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO); Khon Kaen Botanical Garden; the Islamic Bank of Thailand; the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Ubolratana Dam); National Telecom Public Company Limited; the Provincial Electricity Authority, Khon Kaen 2 (Maliwan Branch); National Healthcare Systems (N Health); Mittraphap Khonkaen 2002 Ice Factory; Rachawadee Resort and Hotel; Thai Life Insurance PCL, Khon Kaen Branch; the Buildings and Grounds Division; the Utilities and Environment Division; the Security and Safety Division; the Sports Division; the Legal Division; the KKU More Care Counseling and Guidance Center; the Student Development and Alumni Relations Division; Manee Anusorn Sueksa School; the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute; and Sila Municipality.
News: Jiraporn Prathumchai Photography: Natthawut Charuwong / Communications Division, KKU
