Transforming Lives: PSU Pattani's Initiatives for a Sustainable Future

In this insightful interview, SDSN Thailand engaged with Asst. Prof. Attachai Ueranantasun, the esteemed Vice President for Pattani Campus at Prince of Songkla University. Situated in one of the five campuses across southern Thailand – a region where each university strategically focuses on its local context – PSU Pattani dedicates its efforts to addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within the three southern border provinces. Asst. Prof. Attachai sheds light on the campus’s “2 Reductions and 2 Enhancements” flagship initiative, a framework designed to tackle critical regional issues such as poverty and health, while simultaneously bolstering the rich cultural tapestry and abundant natural resources of the area. This conversation delves into the tangible “success stories” emerging from PSU Pattani’s deep engagement with local communities as they collaboratively navigate the path towards sustainable development.

SDSN Thailand: What are some ‘success stories’ from PSU Pattani campus in its efforts to engage with local communities and tackle sustainable development challenges?

Asst. Prof. Attachai: First, let me explain that Prince of Songkla University has a total of five campuses. Each campus is located in the southern region, specifically in Hat Yai, Pattani, Surat Thani, Trang, and Phuket. To provide some context, universities in Thailand are categorized into groups. Prince of Songkla University is classified as a Group 1 university, known as a frontier research group that focuses on advanced research. Each campus has its own area-based focus as well.

At the Pattani campus, we concentrate on regional issues, particularly in the three southern provinces. We analyze the challenges and potentials of these deep south provinces. Therefore, we have set strategic goals under the flagship initiative called “2 Reductions and 2 Enhancements.” The term “reductions” refers to addressing problems we aim to mitigate, specifically two main issues:

Poverty: The three provinces are below the poverty line, with household income averages ranking among the lowest in the country. This is a significant problem that we believe the university can help alleviate.

Health Issues: Particularly concerning maternal and child health, the region faces high rates of complications and mortality among pregnant women compared to other areas in Thailand. Additionally, there is a high prevalence of malnutrition among infants, affecting their growth and cognitive development.

The “2 Enhancements” focus on enhancing local potentials which are cultural and economic potentials. Culturally, the region boasts a multicultural mix of Thai, Malay, and Chinese influences due to its proximity to the Malaysian border. We aim to leverage this cultural richness to enhance economic opportunities and tourism. On the economic side, the three provinces have abundant natural resources, including forests and coastal areas. We are exploring how to work with these resources to create successful case studies.

For instance, we previously received funding from PMUA (the unit managing development funds) to develop Pattani Heritage City. Our goal was to revitalize local culture and engage community members in promoting cultural tourism by creating landmarks in Pattani’s old town.

We have seen success as more than 50 tour companies now include Pattani in their itineraries for southern Thailand tours. This has contributed to revitalizing the local tourism economy and increasing visitor numbers. Additionally, we have observed an increase in tourists from Malaysia visiting Pattani, as evidenced by rising hotel occupancy rates.

The Poverty Eradication Project is another initiative supported by the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMUA), focusing on case studies in Pattani Province. While poverty eradication projects exist in various parts of the country, the model developed in Pattani aims to sustainably elevate the income and quality of life for the poor.

We consider multiple aspects, not just income, but also social issues, education, health, and culture. The success of this model lies in our researchers creating a household-level database that identifies which households require assistance in various areas related to poverty or human and social capital that may need support. This database can pinpoint needs down to the household level and serves as a prototype for implementation in other regions across the country. Several agencies have participated and utilized this data at a policy level.

Since 2020, we have received ongoing support to expand our efforts throughout Pattani, signing MOUs with provincial and district authorities. Our work extends beyond the university into provincial levels, gaining recognition as well.

Additionally, there is a focus on maternal and child health within the poverty eradication project, addressing child malnutrition. This led to the development of a model for providing meals to children, which has been linked with vaccination efforts. The province has incorporated these initiatives into its policy framework.

The Faculty of Education at Pattani Campus has also contributed by innovating educational management models that foster collaboration among educational institutions, schools, government agencies, and local communities. This approach ensures that educational needs are met not only by schools but also by the surrounding community and educational authorities. The goal is to create effective management models for educational oversight and student care, leading to numerous smaller innovative projects.

SDSN Thailand: What kind of ‘role’ does PSU Pattani campus play in advancing SDGs?

Asst. Prof. Attachai: Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus positions itself in driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on our fundamental role as a university, which includes educating people and conducting research and innovation related to the SDGs. We must prepare students to understand and engage with the SDGs, as these students, aged 18-22, are the new generation that will enter the workforce and drive societal progress regarding the SDGs. I believe that even though the United Nations has set a deadline for 2030, the context of the SDGs will extend beyond that year and will continue to impact their future lives. Therefore, as a university, we aim to provide knowledge to our students about living in accordance with the SDGs. However, we do not limit our efforts to just students; we also strive to extend our initiatives to the surrounding communities. We plan to undertake specific projects related to the SDGs and become a learning hub for SDG-related topics in our area.

The second aspect is research, which will focus on promoting our core goals of “2 Reductions and 2 Enhancements,” addressing SDG 1 related to poverty and hunger. Our research encompasses various issues, thus covering all 17 SDGs.

Another important role of Pattani Campus is engaging with local communities on SDG issues and fostering collaboration at both local and international levels. This outlines the broader role of universities in Thailand, but Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus positions itself as an advisor to local agencies driving initiatives in the area. We provide expertise in knowledge, research, education, and innovation. Therefore, when there are movements regarding the SDGs, we strive to contribute actively. Recently, we have been involved in assisting Pattani Province with climate change initiatives like carbon neutrality. Our university serves as an advisory working group for the governor of Pattani Province, with plans to sign an MOU soon.

In terms of local engagement, such as with the Ruesamila Subdistrict Municipality, we are collaboratively developing what is referred to as urban enhancement for the area. From an SDG perspective, this encompasses infrastructure development, well-being improvements, and waste management. Thus, our role as a university is not merely as advisors; we must also provide accurate academic information.

SDSN Thailand: Reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to 2025, what insights have you gained, and how will PSU Pattani campus commit to exploring new opportunities for sustainable development that benefit society as a whole?

Asst. Prof. Attachai: From our past experiences, we have found that while there is considerable collaboration regarding the SDGs, there are still limitations. The challenges often arise from a silo mentality, where different individuals and organizations perform their own roles independently, despite having a common goal. This lack of cohesive collaboration means that progress can be slow, which I see as a significant obstacle.

To address this issue and look forward, I believe we need a platform where we can communicate effectively and share a common understanding of the data related to sustainability in our area. We need to discuss what actions we can take on each issue. Therefore, establishing a platform and forums for discussion is essential. Moving forward, we should aim for deeper partnerships—not just superficial agreements but a collective drive towards progress as a cohesive entity. This partnership should involve multiple organizations and sectors working together to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.

For example, this year in Pattani Campus, we are transitioning to become a model area for carbon neutrality or carbon credits. We are about to assess credits, which we believe will be the first of its kind in Pattani Province. This effort will not be limited to the university; we will collaborate with Pattani Province and various local agencies. We plan to sign MOUs to advance this initiative and connect with external organizations like the UN and networks such as SDSN Thailand and SDG Move.

Another initiative involves working with SDG Move as a co-host in analyzing the use of science, research, and innovation—aligned with the Ministry’s focus on SRI (Science, Research, and Innovation)—to drive the SDGs in our area. This will involve contributions from multiple organizations to enhance data sharing and decision-making.

I believe that addressing Goal 17 of the SDGs—partnerships—summarizes everything. If we can make progress in this area, I am confident that our efforts towards the SDGs will accelerate significantly.

Another challenge is raising awareness and understanding among local community members. This remains quite lacking, especially in rural areas surrounding Pattani Province, often referred to as border areas. Awareness and understanding of the SDGs are still minimal here. Thus, there is a need for initiatives that foster understanding—not just public relations or communication—but engaging community members in problem-solving and decision-making processes. Expanding this awareness is crucial for creating a broader context for action.

SDSN Thailand: Could you tell us more about the initiative ‘App Tech: Poverty Alleviation Tool’? What is the story of it? What are some of the strategies behind the research findings and how will it be implemented?

Asst. Prof. Attachai: Once we developed the model for the Poverty Eradication Project to a certain level and saw the potential to genuinely assist communities, it led to recommendations from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation. They suggested that we should expand beyond merely visualizing poverty; instead, there should be opportunities for universities to apply technologies developed within them. This gave rise to the concept of Appropriate Technology (AppTech), which refers to technologies suitable for local use. The goal is to ensure that the technology can be utilized by local people, not at an industrial scale, but at a level accessible to farmers, and it must be practical rather than just prototype technology.

The Faculty of Science and Technology at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, has identified a total of ten applicable technologies. The plan is to focus on 150 households this year, involving approximately 750 individuals in total. We will implement these technologies and assess their impact on alleviating poverty and improving quality of life through agricultural development and other means.

One example of the technologies includes a leveling machine for salt farming or a biomass stove with high efficiency that minimizes energy loss. There are also systems designed to reduce energy consumption while increasing productivity.

The AppTech project began in November 2024 and is currently underway, with plans for further expansion in 2025.