27 October, 2026, the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University (ENVI Mahidol), led by the Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kitikorn Charmondusit, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement focuses on academic cooperation, research, and youth development for the environment and sustainability. The partnership is with 6 central region schools under the Foundation of the Brothers of St. Gabriel in Thailand. The signing ceremony took place at the Montfort Meeting Room in the Louis Marie Auditorium at Assumption College Thonburi.
Representatives from the 6 participating schools who signed the agreement included:
Bro. Dr. Arwut Silaket, Vice Director of Saint Gabriel's College
Bro. Dr. Verayuth Boonpram, Director of Assumption College Thonburi
Bro. Patcharapakorn Langbubpha, Vice Director of Assumption College (Authorized Signatory)
Bro. Panuwat Mouentup, Vice Director of Assumption College Samutprakarn
Bro. Apisit Ngamwong, Vice Director of Assumption College Primary Section
Bro. Wanwasan Sukul, Vice Director of Assumption College English Program
The signing was officially witnessed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Allan Sriratana Tabucanon, Deputy Dean for Education and International Relations at the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, and Master Dr. Kittiphan Mitcharoen, Deputy Head of Academic Affairs and Head of Curriculum at Assumption College Samutprakarn. Also honored to attend the ceremony were Dr. Praewa Wongburi, Assistant Dean for Policy, Planning, and International Relations, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Piangjai Peerakietkhajorn, Assistant Dean for Administration at the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies.
During the event, Bro. Supharoek Singhaphan, Assistant Director of General Administration at Assumption College Thonburi, spoke on behalf of the working committee to explain the goals of the ceremony. A video was also shown to present Assumption College Thonburi as a successful model for saving energy and protecting the environment. This video highlighted practical ways schools can manage resources and promote sustainability.
Improving Environmental Teamwork, Creating Educational Opportunities, and Helping Youth Grow
The main goal of this agreement is to bring the university's academic knowledge, research, and skills into school classrooms. This will help students, teachers, and school staff learn more about the environment, natural resources, and sustainable living. It also encourages schools to manage themselves following ESG principles (Environmental, Social, and Governance).
The teamwork will cover creating new knowledge, school subjects, teacher guides, learning materials, and activities. These will focus on topics like Carbon Neutrality, Carbon Footprint tracking, reducing greenhouse gases, Carbon Credits, Climate Change, the Circular Economy, and Climate and Nature Conservation (CNC) projects.
The partnership also aims to support academic events, training, camps, field trips, and sharing ideas between researchers, experts, teachers, and students. Together, they will work on research projects to create a great example of environmental management in schools.
Another important point is helping students who love the environment go to college. The program will support them in applying to the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies at Mahidol University using a Portfolio or other admission methods set by the university each year under the central admission system (TCAS).
A Special Talk on Guiding Education Toward Carbon-Neutral Schools
After the signing, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kitikorn Charmondusit gave a special talk on how to manage education to push schools toward becoming carbon neutral. He shared Mahidol University's journey in environmental work and sustainable development.
He presented Mahidol University's success in being ranked as the number 1 green university in Thailand for 5 years in a row by UI GreenMetric, and being in the top 50 worldwide. The university is also ranked 19th in the world by the THE Impact Rankings for supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He also talked about building the Carbon Neutrality Campus Network (CNC) in the ASEAN region with support from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP). He mentioned working with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China to connect educational institutions in reaching carbon goals together.
A key point of his talk was how important it is to teach young people about the environment. He suggested that schools change from just teaching theories to hands-on learning. This way, students can connect environmental problems to their daily lives and learn how to think critically, do research, and create new solutions on their own.
Pushing the School Living Lab to Turn Schools into Real Learning and Innovation Spaces
One big idea presented was the School Living Lab, which turns the school into a place to test and solve real-world problems. Experts and scholars will act as mentors to help students research and invent solutions to environmental issues.
This idea has already started at Mahidol Wittayanusorn School and Assumption College Thonburi. The goal is to give young people the chance to start their own projects and actually use their results in their schools and communities.
He gave an example of a starting concept for a project to reduce plastic bags, which is being developed with private companies. Students in the School Living Lab at Assumption College Thonburi were given a real challenge from 7-Eleven to reduce plastic bag use. They worked together to design a system that links student ID numbers to saving plastic bags, making it a fun and creative competition between schools.
The idea also aims to turn the value of the saved plastic bags into sports and teaching equipment for the schools. It also allows schools that have enough resources to share with schools in need. This links environmental care directly with creating real social benefits.
In addition, a Knowledge Hub and online sustainability courses are being created to give more people access to this information. Teacher guides are also being made to support lessons on the environment and carbon neutrality. The schools that signed the agreement can adjust the School Living Lab idea to fit their own needs and strengths in the future.
Building a Network of Schools for Sustainable Goals
This partnership between the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies at Mahidol University and the 6 schools is a huge step in bringing university-level knowledge to help younger students and schools grow. It aims to build a strong network that can keep working on environmental projects, research, and new ideas. It empowers youth to play a big role in creating a low-carbon society and building a sustainable future.
At the end of the event, Bro. Dr. Surakit Srisarankulwong gave out souvenirs, and the executives and representatives from the participating organizations took a group photo together at Assumption College Thonburi to remember the day.