KKU SROI & SDGs Knowledge Sharing 2026: Enhancing Research for Measurable Value and Elevating the University’s Role as an Impact-Driven Institution

3 April 2026
14:33

Khon Kaen University’s Division of Enterprise and Societal Sustainability organised a series of workshops to equip staff with SROI and SDGs keyword integration skills, reinforcing the university’s commitment to producing research with tangible social impact.

Professor Thidarut Boonmars, Vice President for Enterprise and Societal Sustainability

Khon Kaen University, through its Division of Enterprise and Societal Sustainability, is advancing its mission to become a sustainable organisation by continuously enhancing the capabilities of its personnel. In line with this goal, a knowledge-sharing initiative, “Utilising the SROI KKU Platform and Applying SDGs Keywords and Key Phrases in Research,” was conducted on 31 March and 2 April 2026. The programme was designed to elevate the university’s research and academic services, enabling them to concretely demonstrate their social outcomes.

The sessions featured Professor Thidarut Boonmars, Vice President for Enterprise and Societal Sustainability, as the keynote speaker. Professor Boonmars delivered in-depth insights into the concepts, principles, and practical application of Social Return on Investment (SROI). She also explained how to integrate Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) keywords and key phrases to align research outputs more strategically with international development standards.

To ensure wide accessibility for staff across various faculties and departments, the initiative was held in four separate sessions:

31 March 2026

Session 1: Hybrid Learning Center (3-4), Faculty of Medicine
Session 2: Meeting Room 1101, Faculty of Education

2 April 2026

Session 3: Seminar Room 1, Faculty of Engineering
Session 4: Auditorium, College of Local Administration

The programme emphasised a “learn-by-doing” approach, guiding participants through a process that was both accessible and profound. The content covered the entire spectrum of impact measurement: from understanding the core concepts of SROI and conducting social impact analyses to calculating outcome values and preparing systematic evaluation reports. This comprehensive training ensures that participants can effectively apply these tools to their own projects.

Over 100 executives, lecturers, researchers, and academic and support staff attended the workshops, reflecting the university community’s readiness to drive “value-creating research” that generates a positive impact on society. In addition to building skills for the SROI KKU Platform, the programme also promoted the practical application of SDGs keywords and key phrases in the design of research and academic services. This will ultimately enhance the quality of work, enabling it to better address societal needs and clearly articulate its economic and social impact.

The core objective of the initiative extended beyond mere knowledge transfer; it aimed to shift the academic perspective from simply “creating outputs” to “creating measurable value” that delivers sustainable benefits to society.

In the context of advancing the SDGs, integrating the SROI framework into research is a significant step that enables the university to connect its academic expertise with tangible results. This approach directly supports key goals such as Quality Education (SDG 4), Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), reinforcing Khon Kaen University’s role in becoming a true “Impact-driven University.”