Assistant Professor Dr. Kedkun Srakawee of the ,, identified a pressing issue: the growing number of unhoused people in , Pathum Thani Province. This issue has been escalating since 2019, fueled by the destabilizing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated social inequalities and strained existing support systems. Particularly vulnerable are day laborers, the elderly, people with disabilities, and those in precarious housing, such as rented rooms. The question Dr. Kedkun posed was clear: How could her courses equip students to address this urgent issue in meaningful and sustainable ways?

The Opportunity

Dr. Kedkun recognized that her courses, Psychology for Social Development and Psychology for Volunteer Work, provided a unique platform to integrate academic principles with practical action. These courses emphasized individual and group psychology, community engagement, and the behavioral foundations of volunteerism. By leveraging the �鶹��Ƶ Model, she transformed these classes into dynamic, community-focused initiatives. Students were tasked not only with understanding homelessness but also with engaging directly with the “ecosystem of social work” in Rangsit City—working alongside government agencies, nonprofits, and the unhoused themselves to co-develop innovative, data-driven solutions.

The Partnership

Students ventured into neighborhoods around the university, including Rangsit Market and Saphan Daeng Market, partnering with nonprofits such as and the (NHA), as well as local municipalities like Rangsit City and . These collaborations were pivotal, enabling students to learn from and contribute to ongoing efforts. Immersive activities such as “Walking and Learning” allowed students to engage with unhoused individuals directly, challenging preconceptions and deepening their understanding of the systemic barriers these individuals face.

The initiative also engaged municipal leaders who facilitated student access to valuable insights and resources. Municipal leaders, like the Director of the Social Welfare Division at Rangsit Municipality, praised the partnership as a valuable alliance, highlighting the students’ role in enhancing livability through creative solutions.

Projects and Impact

From this collaboration, five key projects emerged, including the Volunteer Friendship Project, which addressed mental health challenges and loneliness among the unhoused. Workshops were co-designed with the Potential Development Center in Baan Poonsuk and TU’s Folk Song and Band Clubs to foster emotional well-being and strengthen social bonds. Another project focused on empowering the unhoused through entrepreneurship, training individuals to produce and market locally-made herbal inhalers. This project leveraged TU’s Development College website for product promotion, effectively bridging local innovation with broader market access.

These efforts yielded tangible outcomes: care packages provided immediate relief, workshops built confidence, and entrepreneurial initiatives paved pathways toward reintegration into society. Students also created multimedia content to raise community awareness, helping to shift stereotypes and inspire greater public understanding.

Shifting Perceptions

Dr. Kedkun notes that many students began the project with misconceptions about homelessness, viewing unhoused individuals as intimidating or fundamentally different. Through their engagement, these stereotypes were dismantled. One student reflected, “At first, I was afraid of homeless people, but after talking to them, I thought they were just like everyone else.” This shift in perception underscores the transformative potential of combining academic learning with community engagement.

Institutional and Broader Impacts

The collaboration extended beyond Rangsit City to involve other municipalities in Pathum Thani Province, including Tha Khlong Town Municipality. Municipal staff recognized the value of student contributions and expressed interest in deeper partnerships, such as joining TU’s Citizen School Project to enhance their understanding of volunteerism and support for vulnerable groups. The Head of the Social Welfare Division for Tha Khlong Municipality shared, “It was good to exchange different perspectives and learn at the same time; I can learn from a wider perspective and from a variety of friends.”

The Result

Through this initiative, students honed their fieldwork and research skills, gained experience in community engagement, and learned how to collaborate effectively with government officials and nonprofit organizations. The partnership’s tangible outcomes included providing care packages, fostering emotional connections, and supporting career development among the unhoused. Equally important were the indirect benefits, such as raising awareness of homelessness in the broader community and encouraging more inclusive policymaking.

“Thank you, �鶹��Ƶ, for making this project a reality, raising awareness of social issues among students, and creating a network of social work between the university classroom and local municipal organizations in the area,” Dr. Kedkun remarked.

Looking Ahead

Dr. Kedkun plans to sustain and expand the initiative by incorporating more municipalities and addressing other vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly. These efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by fostering inclusive and equitable education, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting stronger partnerships between educational institutions and local governments to create more inclusive and resilient communities. Additionally, the project supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by addressing the needs of vulnerable populations through targeted social work and collaboration.

With ongoing support from �鶹��Ƶ and additional funding, Dr. Kedkun remains committed to building a stronger network between academic institutions and local governments, ensuring that the work continues to impact the lives of unhoused individuals and inspire a new generation of changemakers.

Partnership Contact Information

Puey Ungphakorn School of Development Studies
Thammasat University
Assistant Professor Dr. Kedkun Srakawee

kedkun.s@psds.tu.ac.th

Written by: Kay Phanthuwongpakdee, Jonathan Kroeze and Jenn Sauer

The Problem

Permatang Pauh’s paddy farmers were facing two critical challenges: inefficient agricultural waste management and shrinking incomes. The burning of paddy husk post-harvest contributed significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, deteriorating air quality, and increasing health risks. Many farmers relied on outdated practices, with over 80% resorting to open burning. With most farmers nearing retirement age and limited exposure to modern farming methods, their ability to generate sustainable income was severely impacted. The community needed a solution to both reduce environmental harm and increase the farmers’ profitability.

The Opportunity

Recognizing that better waste management could lead to environmental and economic benefits, the �鶹��Ƶ Model was adopted to empower farmers and youth. If local farmers could learn sustainable practices like composting and aquaponics, they could turn agricultural waste into valuable organic compost, boost crop yield, and diversify their income. The project envisioned a greener future through smart farming, where knowledge-sharing between academia, local government, and industry could spark lasting change.

The Partnership

The project was led by Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) in partnership with the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) and Urbanest Sdn Bhd. Prof. Dr. Che Zalina Zulkifli from UPSI spearheaded the initiative, bringing expertise from university professors and students. “This collaboration bridges the gap between academia and the real-world challenges farmers face,” said Prof. Che Zalina. The Green Edu Centre, the first of its kind in Malaysia, provided the training ground for the 42 farmers and youth. “We aim to localize the technology, making it accessible and affordable for the community,” said a representative from Urbanest. MBSP’s involvement ensured the program aligned with local government initiatives to promote sustainability. Together, the partnership trained participants in composting, aquaponics, and fertigation techniques, all designed to reduce environmental damage while increasing income potential.

The Result

The results were immediate and promising. “97.5% of participants rated the program 4 or 5 stars,” said Karthigayan Gunasegaran, a project lead from UPSI. Farmers who had never received formal training before learned how to turn agricultural waste into organic compost, drastically reducing their reliance on harmful practices like open burning. “The training gave us the tools we needed to not only protect our land but also make more money,” shared one local farmer. The Green Edu Centre is now a hub for ongoing research and community education, ensuring the knowledge continues to grow beyond the initial project.

Looking Ahead

The partnership is committed to continuing its support for farmers in Permatang Pauh. Plans are already in place for follow-up training sessions that will focus on expanding smart farming techniques to more farmers. With the right funding, the program will also incorporate an agro-business component, helping farmers access new markets and reduce their reliance on traditional wholesale channels. The journey toward sustainable, smart farming is just beginning, and the partnership aims to keep the momentum going for years to come.

Partnership Contact Information

Seberang Perai City Council Contact
Mr. Chew Eng Seng
Local Agenda 21 Officer
Seberang Perai City Council
eschew@mbsp.gov.my

Written by: Alice Murphy
Edited by: Kay Phanthuwongpakdee

The Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana’s pilot project is focused on the ecological rescue of Laguna La Piedad and its channels to reduce economic impacts, conflicts over water, deterioration in the health of surrounding residents, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and avoiding the loss of family and sports recreation spaces. The project will allow the construction of a new urban-ejidal development model based on sustainable water management, which promotes green economic development based on the social and solidarity economy approach by forming cooperatives that promote the conservation of the Lagoon. It is worth mentioning that the project contributes directly to the fulfillment of six SDGs, including SDG11- Cities; SDG6-Water; SDG1-Poverty; SDG3-Health; SDG13-Climate Change, and SDG15-Ecosystems.

The rescue program for La Piedad Lagoon arises from the need to demonstrate how the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) develops projects with high social, economic, and environmental impact. It is a project that will demand several years of work. The rescue of the lagoon has the commitment and acceptance of local actors, ejidatarios, community organizations, civil society, environmental organizations, youth and women groups, and local government, among others. The nature of the project is multidisciplinary since different institutions, such as the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and professors and students from other units of the UAM, participate. Likewise, the project seeks to build an economic development model based on the social and solidarity economy approach by forming cooperatives that promote the conservation of the lagoon. Incorporating the �鶹��Ƶ approach to the La Piedad lagoon rescue project allowed us to strengthen the link between the Metropolitan Autonomous University and its teaching staff and students to the efforts made by the proposing group and the key actors involved in addressing the information needs. , the generation of knowledge, the dissemination of the project, and the training of social actors.

Fun Facts About the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana

Year Program Established |��2023
Country | Mexico
Public or Private Institution |��Public
Number of students at institution | 61,662

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