IST Presents Two Community-Based Innovations to Deputy Prime Minister and MHESI Minister, While Students Showcase Professional Hospitality Skills
Connecting tourism and hospitality knowledge with local innovation and sustainable community development.
The International School of Tourism (IST), Suratthani Rajabhat University, participated in the 2026 SRU Research & Innovation Expo: “Local-Globalization, Strong Local & Connect Global”, organized by the Research and Development Institute of Suratthani Rajabhat University on 19 August 2026 at the foyer and Auditorium of the Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Building, Suratthani Rajabhat University.
The event was honored by the presence of Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), who presided over the opening ceremony and delivered a special keynote address on the policy and direction for advancing science, research and innovation to support the development of the Upper Southern region, strengthen local economies and connect local development with the global level.
On this occasion, the International School of Tourism presented two initiatives that demonstrate how tourism and hospitality knowledge can be applied to community and local development before the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
1 Nasan Rongrian GI Rambutan
The first initiative, “Nasan Rongrian GI Rambutan”, was presented by Ajarn Jaree Prommana, Deputy Dean of the International School of Tourism. The presentation highlighted opportunities to build added value from a distinctive local agricultural product of Ban Na San District, Surat Thani Province, through knowledge, creativity, tourism and hospitality.
The initiative demonstrates how local identity and agricultural resources can be transformed into value-added products and beverages, helping create new visitor experiences while supporting opportunities for local economic development.
2 Let’s Go Green @ Bang Bai Mai
The second initiative, “Let’s Go Green @ Bang Bai Mai”, was presented by Ajarn Phongkrit Nantanakorn and Assistant Professor Pornpaktra Sakda. The project is implemented at Pracharat Floating Market and Suan Lung Song, Bang Bai Mai Subdistrict, Mueang Surat Thani District, Surat Thani Province.
The initiative promotes environmentally responsible tourism by integrating local resources, community participation and tourism knowledge. It supports tourism development that considers economic, social and environmental balance while encouraging responsible use of local resources.
Presenting the two initiatives provided an important opportunity for IST to communicate how academic knowledge can be applied to real community contexts—from adding value to local products and identities to promoting green and sustainable tourism practices.
IST Students Showcase Professional Hospitality Skills
In addition to presenting academic and community-based innovations, IST students were honored to provide food and beverage services to distinguished guests and visitors attending the event.
The assignment provided students with valuable opportunities to apply hospitality knowledge in a real professional setting, including food and beverage service, guest care, teamwork, professional personality, responsibility and service standards.
Such practical experience represents an important part of learning beyond the classroom, helping students strengthen their professional readiness before entering the tourism and hospitality industries.
IST's participation in the event therefore reflected the School's roles in several dimensions: applying knowledge for community benefit, promoting sustainable tourism, building collaboration with local partners and developing students' professional competencies through real-world experience. These efforts support Suratthani Rajabhat University's mission to strengthen local communities while connecting development to the global level.
SDG Report & Relevant Goals
This activity contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the following areas:
| SDG Goal | Target Description | Connection to Activity |
|---|---|---|
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Goal 4: Quality Education | Provides experiential learning opportunities for IST students through professional food and beverage service, teamwork, responsibility and real-world hospitality practice. |
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Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Strengthens students' professional skills while supporting the creation of added value from local products such as Nasan Rongrian GI Rambutan and local tourism resources. |
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Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | “Let’s Go Green @ Bang Bai Mai” promotes tourism based on local resources, community identity and community participation while supporting sustainable destination development. |
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Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Encourages responsible use of local resources and value creation from local agricultural products while promoting environmentally responsible tourism practices. |
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Goal 13: Climate Action | The “Let’s Go Green @ Bang Bai Mai” initiative encourages environmentally friendly tourism, responsible resource use and greater awareness of sustainability in tourism development. |
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Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Highlights collaboration among the university, IST, communities, government agencies, entrepreneurs and local partners to apply knowledge and innovation for sustainable local development. |
