On August 2, 2024, at Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Trang Campus, a team from the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), led by Mr. Phanperm Sak Arunyi, Director of the Division for Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation Development, and Acting Advisor for Higher Education Development, along with Professor Sansanee Chairoj, Chairperson of the Committee for Grouping Higher Education Institutions (Group 2), and Assistant Professor Saji Sirikai, a member of the same committee, visited the campus. Their visit was to monitor the progress of the “University Reinvention Project” for the 2022 fiscal year, under Group 2, focusing on technology development and innovation promotion. The team also reviewed the project aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of entrepreneurs in the Trang Palian pepper industry, a project that earned recognition for excellence in applying knowledge, intellectual property, technology, and academic services to enhance production and service sectors. The university’s leadership, including Assistant Professor Udon Namsen, Vice President of the university; Assistant Professor Sitthichoke Janyong, Vice President of Trang Campus; and Assistant Professor Dr. Kwanhathai Jaipiam, Vice President of Nakhon Si Thammarat Campus, welcomed the delegation. They presented the outcomes of several projects funded in the 2022 fiscal year, including the “Modern Agriculture Learning Transformation Project through Innovation and Integrated Sciences,” held at the Chalerm Phrakiat 80th Anniversary Building at Trang Campus.
Mr. Phanperm Sak Arunyi highlighted that Trang Province is renowned for cultivating high-quality pepper, particularly the “Palian” variety, which has been recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product by the Department of Intellectual Property for its uniquely spicy and pungent flavor, distinguishing it from other types of pepper. Trang pepper has become a key ingredient in various dishes and a significant export product to countries such as the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, and Russia, contributing to local economic growth and strengthening the provincial economy.
The project to enhance the competitiveness of the Trang Palian pepper industry, spearheaded by Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Trang Campus, aims to promote and develop the production of high-quality Palian pepper. The initiative addresses challenges across the production chain, from upstream to downstream, with the goal of increasing farmers’ income and establishing a sustainable circular economy within the local community. This large-scale research project involves collaboration with key government agencies, including the Provincial Agriculture and Commerce Offices, as well as Palian pepper farmers, to analyze and address the needs of local farmers. The ultimate goal is to boost recognition of Palian pepper and increase farmers’ income. MHESI aims to further support and expand this initiative to ensure the sustainable development of the local community.
The project has been driven by strong collaboration between the university and Trang Province, especially with the Provincial Agriculture and Commerce Offices, which have been involved from the outset. Even after the project’s completion, these provincial agencies continue to support its expansion. In 2022, the Provincial Commerce Office launched a GI product initiative, with university faculty providing training on internal control systems for quality assurance and standards for geographical indication products, specifically “Trang Pepper.” This effort aims to help Palian pepper farmers obtain GI certification, which would enhance market acceptance and expand their market reach. Additionally, the collaboration between researchers and external organizations such as the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMU-A) has helped establish a model community in Wang Wiset District, Trang Province, as an agricultural training hub. The Palian pepper project has also been integrated into Trang’s development plan, focusing on increasing both the quantity and quality of pepper production, thereby creating new career opportunities for farmers transitioning from monoculture agriculture to alternative crops.
Later, at 1:30 p.m., the progress of the “University Reinvention Project” for the 2022 fiscal year was presented, focusing on the “Transformation of Modern Agricultural Learning through Innovation and Integrated Sciences” initiative. The committee from the Office of the Permanent Secretary, MHESI, provided feedback and recommendations to further develop the project, aiming to position the institution for excellence in specific areas, achieve international recognition, and contribute effectively to national workforce development.
