Assistant Professor Angkana Boonyued, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Science at Khon Kaen University, alongside 14 Development and Promotion of Science and Technology Talents Project (DPST) scholarship students, attended the opening ceremony of the 40th Higher Education DPST Summer Science Camp. Held on 19 May 2026 at the Pradit Cheychitr Lecture Hall, Prince of Songkla University, the camp was themed “The Science of Southern Flavours: Innovating Songkhla Gastronomy from ‘Two Seas’ to the Global Stage”.
The science camp represented a joint initiative between the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) and Prince of Songkla University, running from 18 to 22 May 2026 in Songkhla Province. Formulated as an co-curricular activity for DPST scholarship students, the hosting duties for this annual camp rotate among the science faculties of various regional hub universities.
Assistant Professor Niwat Keawpradub, Ph.D., President of Prince of Songkla University, stated that the DPST project serves as a crucial mechanism for developing high-calibre human resources in science and technology. He noted that Songkhla Province possesses distinctive biodiversity, culture, and local resources, and has been designated by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy, providing an ideal backdrop for integrating scientific knowledge with local identity.
Professor Anchana Prathep, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Science at Prince of Songkla University, revealed that the camp aimed to equip students with the ability to integrate scientific knowledge and skills into the context of gastronomy, traditional livelihoods, and the local resources of Songkhla Province. This approach encourages analytical thinking and the creative application of science and technology.
Regarding participation in this event, Assistant Professor Angkana Boonyued, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Science at Khon Kaen University, emphasised that sending DPST scholarship students to this camp not only advances out-of-classroom learning under KKU’s Education Transformation strategy, but also serves a strategic institutional goal. The objective is to study and decode the ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’ model and return with integrated local resource management concepts to drive academic service and the creative economy in Northeast Thailand.
The Dean further elaborated that the Faculty of Science, KKU aims to utilise science, technology, and innovation as primary tools to elevate the cultural assets and indigenous raw materials of the Northeast, following the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy model. This will transform traditional Isan cuisine into safe, high-value food innovations, positioning Isan food on the global stage as a robust and sustainable form of Soft Power, in accordance with the university’s dedication to societal contribution.
Meanwhile, Dr. Supannee Charnprasert, Assistant Director of IPST, expressed gratitude to Prince of Songkla University for the warm welcome. She emphasised that this camp provided an essential space for experiential learning and networking across academic and practical domains, forming a solid foundation for the students’ future professional growth.
The 40th DPST Summer Science Camp successfully enhanced student experiences in scientific methodology, collaborative teamwork, and interdisciplinary learning from experts. It also allowed institutional stakeholders to exchange perspectives to improve the efficiency of the DPST scholarship framework, reflecting a strong collaborative network among higher education institutions dedicated to sustainable national development and fostering public-mindedness in future scientists.
