Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) and Chia Tai Co., Ltd. signed an MOU on “Industrial Waste Transformation Towards Sustainable Development Goals,” on Thursday, 21 March 2024 at the Headquarters of Chia Tai Co., Ltd.
At Auditorium 1-2 of the Chia Tai Co., Ltd. headquarters, Mr. Manas Chiaravanond, Chairman of the Executive Board, welcomed and spoke about the academic cooperation on “Industrial Waste Transformation Towards Sustainable Development Goals”. Mr. Manas mentioned that Chia Tai Co., Ltd. itself has a large amount of agricultural industrial waste, so proper waste or residue management is needed to generate benefits. The knowledgeable faculty members of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University are able to turn the garbage into value-added products, resulting in the development of sustainable communities, and driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, STOU Acting President, expressed gratitude and spoke about this academic cooperation project between STOU and Chia Tai Co., Ltd. Dr. Phanompatt stated that STOU has a strategy to respond to community, social and national development towards sustainability. The university can provide knowledge in various fields, whether it be sciences, history, social sciences or culture, with programs developed to align with current situations, we are happy to provide academic knowledge to utilize industrial waste for sustainable communities.
STOU has participated in the UI GreenMetric after having committed to sustainable development. Waste management and environmental education are linked to enhancing the quality of life and happy workplaces, significant for driving the SDGs.
Additionally, STOU has continuous annual research projects and academic services for society in line with the SDGs, to develop and transfer knowledge across disciplines for community, social and national benefit. For example, a research project on “Business Elevation of High-Quality Compost Fertilizer from Agricultural Wastes of Baansabuyjai Community Enterprise and Baansaraphi Community Enterprise in Samut Songkram Province” developed local resource waste into certified quality products, generating income for communities and promoting these as model BCG economy communities selected by the Office of Commercial Affairs Strategy, Ministry of Commerce. This research was extended into an academic outreach project with the Samut Songkhram Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office referred to as “Systematic Upstream Waste Management and Converting Waste into Economic Value in Samut Songkhram Province” in 2024, drawing interest and participation from community enterprise members, farmers and the general public in three districts of Samut Songkhram: Muang, Bang Khonthi and Amphawa. The research and academic outreach projects were accomplished through the efforts of Asst. Prof. Dr. Parichat Dittakit, who serves as the Director of the Rejamangalaphisek Educational Park Division. Additionally, Dr. Parichat is responsible for fostering collaboration between STOU and Chia Tai.
STOU greatly is certain that the collaboration with Chia Tai Co., Ltd. will help push further institutional sustainable development projects forward and be able to give back even more to society.
