Chulalongkorn University’s Support for Advancing Sustainable Water Resource Conservation Beyond Campus 2024-2025

Chulalongkorn University is committed to promoting sustainable water conservation not only within the campus but also through tangible initiatives beyond its boundaries. By collaborating with government agencies, the private sector, and local communities, the university aims to enhance effective water resource management.

Examples of projects and initiatives during 2024–2025

CU x NTU: The Power of Students Uniting for Water Conservation and Community Development in Nan

Chulalongkorn University has demonstrated its strong commitment to promoting sustainable water conservation beyond its campus through the “CU x NTU Overseas Community Engagement Project 2024.” Organized by the Office of Student Affairs, in collaboration with the Center of Learning for the Region and the School of Agricultural Resources, this project was carried out in partnership with Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.

The initiative brought together students from both institutions to repair check dams, learn about water management, and participate in a Mini Hackathon aimed at fostering community development. The project took place at the Center of Learning for the Region in Nan Province, as well as in nearby community forests and local social enterprises, between December 12–23, 2024.

At the heart of the project was hands-on learning, where students actively participated in the restoration of check dams within community forest areas—an effort that reflects the application of academic knowledge to real-world social and environmental challenges. Through these experiences, participants gained a deeper understanding of sustainable water resource management in highland areas. In addition to physical work, they also attended practical lectures and workshops on local water management and agricultural challenges delivered by university professors and local wisdom practitioners.

Beyond water conservation, the project integrated knowledge toward sustainable community development aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students conducted field studies on community business models at Ban Nam Kian Community Enterprise and local coffee shops, gathering data for the Mini Hackathon activity that encouraged brainstorming innovative solutions for Nan’s local development. The focus areas included eradicating poverty (SDG 1), ending hunger (SDG 2), and conserving life on land (SDG 15).

Ultimately, this project serves as a vital platform to nurture students into becoming “Glocal Citizens”—global-minded individuals who remain connected to their local communities. By building international collaboration networks (SDG 17) and fostering genuine social engagement, CU x NTU has inspired young people to take meaningful action toward sustainable change.

[ https://www.chula.ac.th/news/209442/ ]

Chulalongkorn University and SCGC Empower Young Conservationists through Hands-On Water and Forest Restoration

In April 2024, SCGC collaborated with the General Education Center, Chulalongkorn University (GenEd Chula), to launch the “Watershed Forest Protector” course aimed at raising environmental awareness among youth and deepening their understanding of ecosystems, watershed forests, and the interdependence between humans and nature. The course is open to undergraduate students from all faculties.

In the academic year 2/2023, 35 students enrolled in the program. In April 2024, teachers and students participated in a field trip to Rayong Province to study ecosystem restoration at Khao Yai Da and community-based water management at Mab Chan Village. They also helped construct a check dam to stabilize the local water supply. Students learned both theoretical and practical aspects of ecosystem and water management, including the use of instruments for soil moisture measurement, drought assessment, and community-level water allocation.

The project exemplifies how academic knowledge can be applied beyond the classroom. Through collaboration between the university, private sector, and local communities, the initiative advances the “Good Water Storage, Sufficient Water Use” model — a sustainable community water management system developed in Mab Chan and Khao Yai Da since 2007. The model has helped restore the forest ecosystem, reduce the average temperature by 1.6°C, generate income from eco-tourism, and strengthen local resilience against drought and flooding.

This partnership demonstrates Chulalongkorn University’s strong commitment to extending academic expertise beyond campus boundaries — supporting water conservation, natural resource restoration, and sustainable community development through real-world engagement.

[ https://www.scgchemicals.com/en/articles/news/1716779311 ]

Chulalongkorn University Strengthens Regional Environmental Research Collaboration through SEAES 2025 Workshop

Chulalongkorn University, through its Faculty of Science, Department of Marine Science, and the Aquatic Resources Research Institute, in collaboration with the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) and the Embassy of France in Thailand, hosted the “2nd SEAES Regional Workshop: Southeast Asia Environmental Systems” from 17–20 June 2025 at Chamchuri 10, focusing on “Climate, Global Health, and Resources & Livelihoods in Aquatic Socio-Ecosystems.”

The workshop aimed to foster academic collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers and stakeholders across Southeast Asia, integrating scientific data and policy to address environmental and health challenges related to aquatic ecosystems, including climate change, water pollution, food security, and emerging health threats.

A highlight of the event was a keynote presentation by Prof. Dr. Suchana Chavanich, Deputy Director of the Aquatic Resources Research Institute, on “Bridging Science and Society for Resilient Aquatic Ecosystems in Southeast Asia.” She emphasized the role of science in driving conservation, ecosystem restoration, and collaboration among researchers, communities, and government agencies, highlighting studies on coral restoration, marine pollution, and polar changes affecting the region.

Over four days, the workshop included interdisciplinary lectures, hands-on workshops, poster exhibitions, and policy discussions, concluding with a signing ceremony of collaboration agreements between Chulalongkorn University and IRD at the French Embassy.

The event demonstrates Chulalongkorn University’s leadership in academic excellence and its commitment to fostering cooperation at local, regional, and global levels to address environmental challenges and water security in a tangible and impactful way.

[ https://www.chula.ac.th/news/244059/ ]

VIDVAPATH CAMP: Engineering for Sustainable Community Development under the Royal Initiative

VIDVAPATH Camp is a rural development volunteer engineering project initiated by the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sanphet Chuenitipaisan, Department of Survey Engineering. Launched in 2016 (B.E. 2559), the project aims to encourage students to apply their engineering knowledge to solve real-world problems in remote communities, inspired by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s royal initiative emphasizing sustainable and participatory development.

The project began through collaboration between Chulalongkorn University and the Rakkaew Foundation, creating experiential learning beyond the classroom through hands-on community engagement. The first development site was Ban Chetawan, Santha Subdistrict, Nan Province, an area facing severe drought. Starting in 2018 (B.E. 2561), students designed and constructed a check dam to solve the water shortage problem, which later expanded into a full-scale water supply system. The project further introduced solar-powered water pumps and, by 2023–2025 (B.E. 2566–2568), established an earthen house learning center as a model for sustainable living and renewable energy use.

Over more than a decade (2016–2025), the project has transformed once-barren hills into fertile farmland, converting over 100 rai of monocrop agriculture into mixed-crop systems. This not only improved local livelihoods but also instilled environmental awareness and self-reliance within the community. The camp has actively engaged students, alumni, and local residents in co-designing and implementing the development plan, exemplifying the university’s outreach in education for society at large.

The project’s achievements were nationally recognized when it received the first prize at the “2023 Rakkaew Foundation National Exposition: University Sustainability Showcase.” VIDVAPATH Camp stands as a testament to Chulalongkorn University’s mission to integrate academic knowledge, community engagement, and volunteer spirit to drive sustainable social and environmental development.

[ https://www.intaniamagazine.com/vidvapath-camp/ ]