Khon Kaen University has driven regional entrepreneurial development and the innovation-based economy by hosting the Khon Kaen Provincial Industry Office and entrepreneurs from the “MIND STAR” programme to study its advanced agro-industrial facilities and innovation ecosystem.
Khon Kaen University (KKU) has moved forward with its commitment to fostering entrepreneurial development and strengthening the regional innovation-based economy. On 17 June 2026, Professor Thidarut Boonmars, Ph.D., Vice President for Enterprise and Societal Sustainability, welcomed Mr Thongchai Muangson, the Khon Kaen Provincial Industry Officer, along with executive teams and entrepreneurs participating in the “Developing Agro-Industrial Entrepreneurs for Communities (MIND STAR)” project. The delegation visited the Northeastern Science Park 1 (Khon Kaen Province) Main Building and the Food and Agriculture Pilot Plant for a study visit and knowledge-sharing session under the agro-industrial entrepreneurial potential development initiative for the 2026 fiscal year.
Professor Thidarut Boonmars, Ph.D., Vice President for Enterprise and Societal Sustainability
The study visit was organised to provide entrepreneurs with an opportunity to learn how to apply science, technology, and innovation to business development, value addition for agricultural products, and competitive capacity building within the knowledge-based economic era. This was achieved through the exchange of experiences and by granting access to the comprehensive innovation infrastructure of KKU.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teerawat Laonapakul Deputy Director, Khon Kaen University Science Park (KKUSP)
During the event, Associate Professor Teerawat Laonapakul, Deputy Director of the Science Park, delivered an overview of the facility’s operations. He highlighted the critical role the Science Park plays in supporting businesses through research and development services, technology transfer, product standard testing, and business and technological consultancy. He also emphasised the establishment of collaborative networks bridging the public sector, private enterprises, and academic institutions to collectively enhance the competitiveness of regional business sectors.
Following the briefing, the delegation toured the Food and Agriculture Pilot Plant, a pivotal science, technology, and innovation infrastructure in the northeastern region. The pilot plant serves as a cornerstone for developing product prototypes, processing agricultural goods, testing production processes at a semi-industrial level, and adding value to commodities using scientific expertise. This infrastructure enables entrepreneurs to develop standardised products that satisfy market demands and are ready for efficient commercialisation.
The atmosphere of the knowledge-sharing session was highly constructive and engaging. The participating entrepreneurs actively asked questions, exchanged ideas, and received strategic guidance on adapting technologies to their specific businesses. This interaction aims to expand opportunities for new product development, mitigate manufacturing limitations, and generate added value for agricultural goods and community products in the future.
This study visit reflects the vital role of KKU and the Science Park as core mechanisms driving the innovation ecosystem of northeastern Thailand. By creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to access essential knowledge, research, technology, and infrastructure, the university actively contributes to generating value for community products, upgrading the agro-industrial sector, and fortifying the sustainable economic strength of the nation.
Furthermore, these activities align directly with KKU’s institutional mission as a social devotion and research university, which employs science, technology, and innovation as instruments for balanced economic and social advancement. The initiative successfully supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by enhancing entrepreneurial capabilities, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by promoting technology and innovation in business development, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by demonstrating the synergy between government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector to foster resilient and sustainable regional growth.
