Surat Thani Rajabhat University (SRU), through the International School of Tourism, held a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for academic cooperation with Ban Cheow Lan Sub-district Municipality, Ban Ta Khun District, Surat Thani Province. The collaboration aims to jointly implement the Regional Tour Guide Training Program (Southern Region) to enhance the capacity of tourism personnel in the area and promote career and income opportunities for local residents.

The signing ceremony was attended by Asst. Prof. Dr. Wattana Rattanaprom, President of Surat Thani Rajabhat University, and Mr. Chaowalit Chuaysong, Mayor of Ban Cheow Lan Sub-district Municipality, who officially signed the MOU. The event was also witnessed by executives from both organizations, the President of the Surat Thani Tourism Promotion Association, and honored guests.

The training project represents an integration of cooperation between higher education institutions and local administrative organizations to develop tourism personnel with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required by professional tour guide standards. Participants who successfully complete the training will receive a certificate that can be used to apply for a Regional Tour Guide License (Southern Region).

Surat Thani Province is one of the most important tourism destinations in Southern Thailand. In particular, Ban Ta Khun District is home to renowned natural attractions such as Cheow Lan Dam in Khao Sok National Park, attracting a large number of both Thai and international visitors each year. Developing qualified tour guide personnel is therefore essential for improving service quality and tourism management in the area.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Wattana Rattanaprom stated that the university plays a crucial role as a "University for Local Development" by applying knowledge, research, and innovation to support economic and social development within communities. This project reflects another important mission of the university in providing academic services to society while strengthening professional standards in the tourism sector.

In addition, the project provides valuable opportunities for students and university staff to engage directly with local communities through field-based collaboration. This approach aligns with the "Social Engineer" concept, which aims to develop students into thinkers, communicators, coordinators, and innovators capable of applying knowledge to create real social impact.

Mr. Chaowalit Chuaysong explained that Ban Cheow Lan has significant tourism potential, particularly in nature-based and community-based tourism. This collaboration will enhance the knowledge and skills of local residents, enabling them to pursue tour guide careers legally while creating opportunities to increase income and improve the overall quality of life within the community.

This collaboration marks another significant step in strengthening partnerships between universities, government agencies, and local stakeholders to develop tourism human resources, expand economic opportunities, and support the sustainable growth of Surat Thani's tourism industry.