Students from the International School of Tourism (IST), Suratthani Rajabhat University, recently participated in a hands-on field operation to hone their “Social Engineer” skills at the Khao Sok Student Art & Craft Fair in Khlong Sok Subdistrict, Phanom District, Surat Thani. The initiative focused on empowering local youth and elevating community development through participatory learning processes.
This activity is part of an integrated learning model that allows students to collaborate with schools, local residents, and regional networks. Students took on key roles, including:
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Thinkers: Analyzing cultural capital and community resources.
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Communicators: Sharing community stories and youth achievements with the public.
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Coordinators: Liaising between academic institutions, schools, and the community.
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Social Innovators: Designing activities and souvenirs that reflect local identity and support sustainable tourism.
Throughout the project, students collaborated with local teachers and youth to design souvenir products, practice presentation skills, and organize the exhibition and sale of works at the fair. This provided a real-world platform to strengthen teamwork, problem-solving, and social responsibility.
The event served not only as a showcase for students in Khlong Sok but also reflected the IST students' roles as "Community Learners." It enabled them to develop professional expertise, life skills, and social consciousness, aligning with the university’s goal of producing "Practitioner Graduates" capable of applying language, tourism, and communication skills to foster creative and sustainable tourism development.
The International School of Tourism remains committed to using community spaces as "living classrooms" to provide meaningful learning experiences, preparing students to become key drivers for social and local community progress.
Special thanks to our partners in student development: Ban Bang Pru School, Ban Ya Plong School, Wat Tham Wararam School, Wat Song Phi Nong School, Khao Sok Community Tourism Group, Khao Sok National Park, Khlong Sok Subdistrict Administrative Organization, and Wat Tham Phanthurat.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report
The Khao Sok Student Art & Craft Fair reflects the International School of Tourism's commitment to driving sustainable development by integrating academic learning with hands-on community fieldwork. Operating as "Social Engineers," students collaborated with local residents to improve quality of life, promote sustainable tourism, and build strong cooperative networks, directly aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Relevant SDGs Table
| SDG | Goal | Activity Alignment |
|---|---|---|
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Quality Education | Utilizing community spaces as "living classrooms" to foster participatory learning, empower local youth, and enhance students' professional and life skills. |
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Decent Work and Economic Growth | Designing and developing local souvenirs aligned with sustainable tourism, thereby supporting the grassroots economy and entrepreneurial skills. |
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Sustainable Cities and Communities | Analyzing cultural capital and community resources to elevate and preserve the local identity of the Khlong Sok community. |
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Partnerships for the Goals | Fostering strong collaborations among academic institutions (the university and 4 local schools), local government, the national park, tourism groups, and the local temple. |
