RMUTT as one of the five world universities receiving a grant from UNESCO-UNEVOC to conduct a community training program for the vulnerable group affected by COVID-19

RMUTT as one of the five universities received a grant from UNESCO-UNEVOC to conduct a community training program in order to develop professional skills for those affected by the COVID-19 epidemic.

President of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Assistant Professor Dr. Sommai Pivsa-Art revealed that RMUTT had received a grant supported from UNESCO-UNEVOC’s COVID-19 response project offered by the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training with the objective of assisting those affected by the COVID-19 epidemic to develop their professional skills. Of 160 grant applications from universities worldwide, RMUTT’s had been selected as one of the five best project proposals to win the grant. Additionally, this project had also been graciously supported by Phra Maha Wutthichai Wachirametee and the local communities.

Assistant Professor Arnon Niyomphol, Dean of the Faculty of Technical Education at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), as an advisor of the project, added that giving affected communities the opportunity to diversify and rapidly learn new skills to effectively responding to world’s  labor market issues  was the best way of improving their quality of lives in the short and long term while Covid-19 is still spreading. As an education institution, RMUTT hoped to be as part of providing a lifeline to those who have been affected by Covid-19. Consistent with the view of UNESCO-UNEVOC that providing targeted skills training to meet urgent demand, and upskilling to build the labor efficiency for those who in needs is a must during the pandemic, the university had been selected to obtain the grant.

Project Manager, Assistant Professor Dr. Parinya Meesuk, Instructor of Faculty of Technical Education, RMUTT explained about the concept of the project saying that the aim of the work was to create job opportunities for the locals in the rural areas that were unfortunately being affected by Covid-19 pandemic both directly and indirectly. RMUTT as an academic institution equipped with solid and strong agriculture and technological education foundations was successfully enabling to engage communities and their local vocational institutions and work together. Additionally, the university was also capable of analyzing possibilities of building suitable skills for the community as well as preparing them with real-life practice to maintain their professional and personal life during this critical time.

Vice Director of Office of Academic Resources and Information Technology, Assistant Dr. Boontida Uapipatanakul added that this collaborative project was initiated among participants of “New Generation of Democratic Leaders” program held by King Prajadhipok’s Institute, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) and Cherntawan International Meditation Center.  The aim of the project was to assist locals and its community in Chiang Rai province to turn bamboo into thin, flexible strips and weave them together to develop and produce natural products with high quality.  From in-depth research the trends, it could be seen that there was actually an existence of income inequality. And thus, it is such a challenge to define and tackle the problems successfully and support community growth and professional development that would have a positive impact on the country as a whole.