Community University Engagement Journal (CUE-J)

Development of Community Souvenir Packaging to Support Tourism in Maha Sarakham Province

Thanyarat Asawanonda, Yada Samat — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This research aims to enhance production potential and develop community products to achieve an aesthetically pleasing
appearance. It focuses on developing packaging that effectively protects the products, provides comprehensive and reliable product information,and prepares community products for the market. The study emphasizes utilizing local identity to create added value for the products, thereby sustainably strengthening the community economy and responding to the domestic tourism policies of Maha Sarakham Province. The research methodology employed a participatory approach encompassing the upstream, midstream, and downstream phases, along with the application of the quality management cycle. Field surveys of production processes and interviews with target entrepreneurs were conducted to analyze data and establish appropriate product and packaging development guidelines in accordance with the objectives. This involved integrating collaboration among the university, Maha Sarakham Town Municipality,
and community enterprise groups, including organizing practical training workshops. The results revealed that the project successfully
created standardized packag ing prototypes that effectively communicate the local identity for five products. For instance, the dried pounded unripe rice (Khao Mao) from the Pho Si 1 community was upgraded to a vacuum-sealed bag to extend shelf life and facilitate transportation, featuring a label design reflecting the Maha Sarakham clock tower’s identity. These outcomes help build a positive image, increase economic value, foster a sense of pride, and serve as a driving force for community enterprises to sustainably develop their products for future commercial distribution.

Application of Trichoderma for Fungal Disease Control in Organic Vegetable Farming: A Collaborative Approach with Farmers in Na Si Nuan, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This paper presents a case study on the application of Trichoderma, a beneficial fungus, to control plant diseases caused by pathogenic fungi in organic vegetable farming. The study was conducted with the cooperation of vegetable farmers in Group 17, Na Si Nuan Sub-district, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand. The academic service was implemented by the Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, Maha Sarakham University. The paper details the process of identifying fungal disease issues, training farmers on the use of Trichoderma as a biological control agent, and the subsequent positive outcomes from its application. Through a participatory approach, farmers were trained on various methods of applying Trichoderma, which ultimately enhanced their crop health and contributed to the sustainability of organic farming practices.

A Workshop for Knowledge Dissemination and Carbon Credit Assessment for Cattle and Buffalo Farms in Maha Sarakham Province

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This research aimed to conduct a practical training workshop to disseminate knowledge and provide a preliminary carbon credit assessment for cattle and buffalo farmers in Maha Sarakham Province. The training was based on three greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction approaches in accordance with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which included methane flaring as a fuel substitute, the use of methane as an alternative energy source for electricity generation, and the improvement of manure management practices.

During the knowledge dissemination phase, a total of 40 farmers participated in the workshop. Of these, 22 farmers completed both the pre- and post-training knowledge assessments. The evaluation results showed a statistically significant improvement in participants’ knowledge and understanding of GHG reduction, with average scores increasing from 7.3 to 9.3 out of 10. The paired sample t-test yielded a t-value of 8.43, with 21 degrees of freedom and a significance level of 0.000, indicating that the training was effective in enhancing farmers’ foundational understanding necessary for future carbon credit assessment. In the assessment phase, researchers utilized a pre-programmed calculation tool that allowed farmers to input farm-specific data to estimate their current GHG emissions and potential future reductions based on the three mitigation approaches. The results from 16 participating farms revealed that methane flaring could reduce emissions by 350.22 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) per year, which translates to a carbon credit value of 70,044 THB per year. Methane utilization for electricity generation could reduce emissions by 351.02 tCO₂e per year, equivalent to 70,204 THB per year. Meanwhile, improved manure management showed the highest potential for GHG reduction, with a total reduction of 532.72 tCO₂e per year, equivalent to 106,544 THB per year.

These findings indicate that improving manure management is the most effective approach among the three when considering carbon credit potential alone, without accounting for additional income from energy generation. This research emphasizes the importance of governmental and institutional support in educating farmers and promoting suitable technologies tailored to local conditions. Such support can help farmers adapt to the modern competitive environment and utilize carbon credits as an economic instrument to increase income while mitigating environmental impacts in the future.

Mapping University-Society Engagement: A SCOPUS-Based Analysis of Mahasarakham University Research (1994-2025)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Regional universities play critical roles in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet empirical evidence on research-society engagement at scale remains limited. This study employed machine learning to analyze 7,710 Mahasarakham University (MSU) publications (1994-2025), assessing university-society engagement and SDG alignment. Using multi-label classification with validated keyword frameworks, we examined eight engagement types and 17 SDGs. Results revealed 83.8% demonstrated societal engagement, with 46.5% showing high engagement. Cultural preservation emerged as MSU's distinctive strength (61.2%). For SDGs, 83.8% aligned with ≥1 goal: SDG 9 (Innovation, 40.0%), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities, 23.1%), and SDG 3 (Health, 22.5%) showed strongest representation. Critical gaps included SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities, 1.9%), SDG 1 (No Poverty, 2.2%), and SDG 13 (Climate Action, 4.0%). Research output increased 436% (2015-2025). Machine learning enables scalable, continuous assessment of university societal impact, providing evidence-based insights for strategic planning. Findings demonstrate regional universities can create distinctive identities through local strengths while contributing to global sustainability.