From 17 to 24 March 2026, Dr. Kwansirinapa Thanawong, a lecturer in the Bachelor of Engineering Program in Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Phayao, together with Mr. Kritsada Thanawong, a doctoral student in Civil Engineering, in collaboration with the Civil Engineering Alumni Club (Teen Doi) and current students from Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, led a team of engineering students from the University of Phayao to undertake a rural volunteer development camp under the initiative βHomhaeng Asa Hompoi Phatthanaβ The activity was conducted at Ban Khun Tuen School, Mae Long Subdistrict, Omkoi District, Chiang Mai Province.
Over the course of eight days, the team carried out a wide range of engineering and community development activities, including:
- surface preparation and repainting of the school fence;
- interior and exterior repainting of the girlsβ dormitory;
- construction of reinforced concrete flooring in front of and around the dormitory;
- installation of partition walls in the teachersβ residence;
- construction of stair access adjacent to the storage facility;
- wall construction and landscape improvement in the cafeteria area;
- transportation and organization of construction materials within the worksite;
- construction of a retaining wall beside the girlsβ dormitory;
- renovation of the volleyball court surface;
- community engagement activities; and
- donation of sports equipment, clothing, dolls, and essential supplies contributed by students and staff of the University of Phayao.
This initiative functioned as a significant experiential learning platform, enabling students to enhance practical competencies in construction, technical craftsmanship, planning, problem-solving, and resource management. Furthermore, it fostered teamwork, responsibility, and adaptive capacity through direct engagement with local communities. The activities were conducted under challenging conditions, including remote geographical settings, limited resources, difficult transportation, absence of mobile network coverage, minimal internet access, and nighttime temperatures dropping to approximately 12Β°C.
The βHomhaeng Asa Hompoi Phatthanaβ initiative exemplifies the role of engineering education beyond theoretical instruction, emphasizing the holistic development of students in both academic and practical domains. It aligns with the School of Engineeringβs 5C+ policy and the University of Phayaoβs strategic focus on community engagement, ultimately preparing graduates to become competent, socially responsible engineers capable of contributing meaningfully to sustainable societal development.