Plenary: Social Innovation for Area-based Development

Monday 20 October 2025
13:30 – 15:00
Prem Auditorium, Thaksin University

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The ‘Glocalisation’: Functional Role of Higher Education from Local to Global

Sub-themes in focus: Social Innovation for Area-based Development

What: Roundtable Discussion: Plenary Session

Overview: In these sessions we will explore the sub-themes for the Congress through a range of short presentations leading into round table discussions.

Each parallel session will have a Chair to facilitate the discussion and we hope the conversations might spark areas for future WTUN collaboration and workstream developments.

Chair: TBC

Speakers:

• Professor Art Marvin M Arañas, Faculty, Department of Marketing, Mindanao State University
• Dr Wallapa Choeibuakaew, Dean of Faculty of Health and Sports Science, Thaksin University
• Mr Bavornsak Pejaranonda, Researcher and Northern Thailand Area Manager, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
• Dr Mullika Sungsanit, Head of the Center of Excellence for Entrepreneurship, Suranaree University of Technology

Joining Details: TBC

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Professor Art Marvin M. Arañas

‘Global Learning and Glocal Solutions: How Study Abroad Translates Impact Beyond the Academe’

International exposure and study abroad program opportunities presented to students and faculty members are said to have positive impact on local universities.

For undergraduate students who gained international exposure through exchange programs, the study of Kyaw San & Htwe (2023) found out that these programs contribute to the development of students’ intercultural competence (IC), aligning with Deardorff’s (2008) five established components, namely, attitude, knowledge and comprehension, skills, desired internal and external outcomes.

In the case of study abroad programs for faculty members, empirical evidence is shown in the findings of Kayashima, et. al (2024) in their book Diverse Impacts of University Faculty Study Abroad on Higher Education Development in Southeast Asia, which highlights that faculty members who engage in study abroad programs experience significant improvements in their teaching and research activities. These cited improvements, in turn, leads to the expanding international engagement of local universities, demonstrating how such programs benefit the individual faculty members.

Boosting internationalization efforts, Mindanao State University students and faculty members are also given a chance to pursue educational programs abroad, and the impact as well is demonstrated in knowledge sharing, partnerships and research outputs, to name a few.

However, beyond the individual and institutional impacts, this presentation will highlight the social impact that these programs extend to the community. Moreover, this presentation will explore how did foreign education exposure and experiences led to participatory solutions for sustainable and inclusive development in Mindanao State University and the community around it.

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Dr Wallapa Choeibuakaew

‘Social Innovation for Area-Based Development: A Pathway for Sustainable Health Behaviour’

Sustainable health behavior cannot be achieved solely through the efforts of healthcare professionals. It requires the active involvement of families, communities, and local systems. Among various strategies, social innovation has proven to be a powerful tool in promoting lasting health outcomes by fostering community ownership and systemic change.

Social innovation in health refers to the application of local knowledge, lived experience, and creative problem-solving to address health challenges in inclusive, participatory, and scalable ways. When embedded within area-based development approaches, it not only fosters immediate, context-specific solutions but also enables broader systemic transformation. As these innovations expand across settings, they contribute to increased coverage, higher service volume, and meaningful changes within health systems—supporting equity, resilience, and sustainability over time.

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Mr Bavornsak Pejaranonda

‘The Development of Local Change Agents for Area-Based Social Innovation in Remote Highland Communities of Northern Thailand’

18 years of practical engagement in remote highland areas of Northern Thailand, namely Omkoi District in Chiang Mai Province, and Mae Sariang and Sop Moei Districts in Mae Hong Son Province. These areas face multiple structural challenges, including limited access to electricity, healthcare, nutritious food, and education. The mountainous geography severely limits access to basic services and learning systems, while the deep-rooted linguistic and cultural traditions of local communities, although integral to their identity, can sometimes hinder the implementation of development programs.

Under the leadership of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), the initiative promotes sustainable area-based social innovation through the identification and capacity-building of Local Change Agents (CAs)—community members trained to address realworld problems in four key areas: primary health care, renewable energy, food security (especially protein), and Thai language literacy for ethnic children.

This model emphasizes culturally responsive learning processes, employing active learning methods, coaching, mentoring systems, peer-based learning, and ongoing competency assessment. These are delivered through community-based learning spaces, training centers, online communication, and live demonstrations. Knowledge transfer is carefully adapted to local contexts, respecting community beliefs and traditional wisdom, while equipping learners with problem-solving skills relevant to their realities.

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Dr Mullika Sungsanit

‘Reviving Heritage, Empowering Communities: Muay KORAT as a Catalyst for Glocal Social Innovation’

This presentation showcases how Muay KORAT, a traditional martial art from Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province, has been revitalized as a driver of area-based social innovation. Through partnerships with universities, schools, and local stakeholders, the initiative integrates cultural heritage with education, tourism, youth development, and economic opportunities. By leveraging local wisdom and community participation, the project aligns with the glocal role of higher education in preserving identity while addressing social and economic challenges. The case highlights interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical engagement, and community ownership—offering a replicable model for other regions globally.