6.15 Number of university sustainability program(s) with international Collaborations

The international training program titled “Rice Production Technologies for Food Security and Sustainability of African Countries”

The international training program titled “Rice Production Technologies for Food Security and Sustainability of African Countries” was organized in collaboration between the Training and Promotion Office, Kamphaeng Saen, the Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University at Kamphaeng Saen Campus, the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Third Country Training Program (TCTP+). The program catered to 27 agricultural officials from 11 African countries: Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The program details are as follows:

Lecture on “Thailand’s Rice Production Economy and Policy Toward Sustainable Rice Platform” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somporn Issawilanon.

Lecture on the topic “Research and development system of rice production” by Dr. Meechai Siangliw and Dr. Jonaliza L. Siangliw.

Practical training on “Botany, morphology, and growth stage of rice (Lab)” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanet Malampong and “Land preparation” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Tiwa Pakoktom.

Practical training demonstration on “Rice planting methods” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanet Malampong and “Seed quality and seed testing” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Jutamas Romkaew.

Practical training on “Rice conventional breeding technique” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanet Malampong and a lecture on “Molecular breeding to assist rice breeding program” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siwaret Areekit.

Field study at the rice seedling nursery at the Thai Farmer Lifestyle and Spirituality Learning Center (Na Hia Chai) and a field study at the Sang Wiang distillery in Suphan Buri province.

Lecture and practical training on the topic “Farm mechanization for rice production” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ratana Tangwongkit.

Field study of rice product processing at the Chor Heng noodle factory and the sugarcane juice production process at the “Rai Mai Jon” farm.

Practical training on the topic “Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) in Rice Production” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Rapee Dokmaites.

Lecture on the topic “Plant climate for rice production” and a field study on meteorology and weather measuring instruments at the Nakhon Pathom Meteorological Station by Asst. Prof. Dr. Tiwa Pakoktom. Practical training on the topic “Pest management (chemical procedure and IPM procedure)” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Uraiwan Nilphet.

Practical training on the topic “Soil fertility evaluation” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Supachai Amka and on the topic “Nutrient management” by Assoc. Prof. Atthasit Wongmaneeroj.

Practical training on the topic “Identify weeds in paddy field” and the topic “Herbicide application in paddy field” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tossapol Pornprom.

Practical training on the topic “Rice disease diagnosis” and the topic “Rice disease control” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chainarong Rattanakritakul.

Practical training on rice-related topics “Rice harvesting and milling” and the topic “Water measurement and management” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Jutamas Romkaew. Additionally, field study on water measurement and management by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanet Malampong.

Practical training on the topic “Rice grain quality testing” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanet Malampong. Lecture on the topic “Food processing from rice” by Dr. Jakrapong Pinyo.

Practical training on cooking with rice under the topic “Food processing from rice” by Dr. Jakrapong Pinyo. The trainers will prepare an action plan for implementation in each country.

Visit the museum “In His Majesty’s Love (Chalerm Phrakiat Building 5)” which features exhibitions on His Majesty’s working principles, agricultural practices, the old farmer’s market, and the royal ceremonies related to agriculture at the Agriculture Museum Chalerm Phrakiat under the Royal Patronage of King Rama IX (public organization). There will also be a lecture on the operations of the center and a visit to the rice fields at the Klong Luang Rice Research Center.

Field study at Kubota Farm, where attendees will gain knowledge on rice and post-rice crops farming, the New Theory Agriculture, the complete agricultural cycle of Siam Kubota, and consultation on designing modern farms.

Field study at C.P. Rice Company Limited (Nakhon Luang Factory) in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province.

Field study on rice milling processes and rice milling business at Kij Prasert Rice Mill and the steamed rice business at Thai Charoen Tawee Kit Rice Mill.

The project titled “Experiences in Agricultural Technology and Innovation towards Sustainability” 

Involved both Thai and foreign diplomats stationed in Thailand, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The objective was to exchange views and experiences on innovations and achieving sustainability in areas like Food Security, Economic, and Health. This initiative also aimed to foster a positive perception of Thailand and build a network between the ministry’s officials/foreign diplomats and Kasetsart University. Activities during this study visit included a special lecture by Dr. Apichat Wannawichit on rice processing and innovations, a demonstration from communities supported by the office, and a tour of agricultural machinery related to rice at the Department of Mechanical Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus. The group also visited The Premium@ KU KPS (KASETATION) store, showcasing quality products resulting from research and development at Kasetsart University.

The UC Summer School 2023, themed “Sustainability of Agricultural Systems in Difficult Environments”

The UC Summer School 2023, themed “Sustainability of Agricultural Systems in Difficult Environments” was organized by the Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry, in collaboration with the International College Initiative and the Faculty of Economics at Kasetsart University. The program was financially supported by the Southeast Asian University Consortium (UC) for Graduation in Agriculture and Natural Resources and the TALENT Program on Sustainable Landscape Management. The main focus of the Summer School was to provide participants with an understanding of sustainable agricultural principles and enable them to assess sustainability at the farm level. The course adopted a blended learning approach, combining online preparations with onsite classroom sessions and field visits to collect data from farmers. Participants included graduate students, both at the Master’s and Doctorate levels, from 12 member universities of the University Consortium SEARCA, spanning countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand, with over 50 participants, including students from the Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry.

Kasetsart University launched a program to enhance and develop the capabilities of international personnel and students in energy innovation and energy transition. 

This was in collaboration with Curtin University in Australia and The Australian New Columbo Plan (NCP), a unit of the Australian government. The initiative provided an opportunity for students from the Faculty of Engineering at both Kasetsart University and Curtin University to engage in joint academic activities and gain insight into energy innovations. At the opening ceremony, a lecture on “Energy Transition Overview” was presented by Prof. Dr. Christopher Lagat from Curtin University and Asst. Prof. Dr. Kanet Katchasuwanmanee, the Assistant Dean for Academic Services and Industrial Collaboration, and a faculty member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

International Agricultural Machinery Testing Workshop Project

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) of Japan collaborated with Kasetsart University to organize an international hands-on training program on the testing of agricultural machinery. The objective was to transfer technology related to the testing of small agricultural machinery to engineers, technicians, and professionals involved in agricultural machinery across over 15 countries in the Asia region. The program saw the participation of 37 individuals.

Talk-Show on “Health and Food Sustainability”

In the final class of 2023 Development of Food Value Chain Project, we have the Talk-Show on “Health and Food Sustainability” in the topic of “Thailand Insect Protein”, “Initiative for Health Promotion through Food Development of Functional Foods in Japan” and “Sustainable Ingredients Tasty and Healthy with Low Environmental Impact: Plant-Based” as well as “Sharing Experience of Working at Japanese Food Company”. It is valuable moment that we learn and share together.

International training and study tour program, “Post-Harvest Management and Rice Value Chain” 

Kasetsart University organized an international training and study tour program titled “Post-Harvest Management and Rice Value Chain” for high-level executives and officials from the Regional Rice Value Chain Development Project in the Republic of Niger and the International Cabinet of Agro-Food and Environmental Expertise in Burkina Faso. During the opening ceremony, a lecture on the topic “Rice Value Chain in Thailand” was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sompon Issawilanon.

Kasetsart University collaborated with Yamaguchi University, Japan, on a research titled “Investigation of water quality and water environment in Bangkok”

Prof. Dr. Tsuyoshi Imai from the Faculty of Engineering at Yamaguchi University, Japan, partnered with the Faculty of Environment at Kasetsart University to conduct the study on this topic.

Kyoto University – Kasetsart University Student Exchange Program 2023 (KU-KU 2023)

Student Exchange Program between Kasetsart University and Kyoto University which will be a special lecture on “Agriculture in Thailand,” which consists of the topic related to Thailand’s Agriculture such as the climate, land utilization, rice production in Thailand, world rice production and consumption, Thailand agriculture goal, high-cost rice production risks in market development, rice trading in the world market, commodities share by regions of Thailand, and export of Thai rice products. The lecture has received a lot of interest from the students of Kyoto University. All participants of the Short-Term Student Exchange Program from Kyoto University are on 10 days scheduled on a field trip to Chiang Mai to study agricultural work at Ob Luang National Park. In addition, there are scheduled trips to visit Ayutthaya, Ratchaburi, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Lop Buri to study arts, culture, fishery, forestry, and agriculture respectively.

Lecture: “How to create sustainable and innovative wood industry: Sweden’s study case”

Kasetsart University in collaboration with Ms. Rosa Goodman – Senior Lecturer Dept. Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Ms. Anna-Lena Gull – Design and implementation of mass wood production systems, Luleå university of technology and Mr. Aaron Kaplan – Director of the Eco Innovation Foundation organized a lecture on “How to create sustainable and innovative wood industry: Sweden’s study case” and discussed academic cooperation and research.