Fostering the University’s value in providing social services to the students is a mission of CMU. Through volunteer work, students have the opportunity to use their knowledge and skills to help society without expecting a return, and integratively collaborate with communities, organizations, and agencies. A network of volunteers works between Chiang Mai University and Khon Kaen University (KKU) under the CMU-KKU Voluntary Rural Development Camp Project. This joint project is a long-standing tradition of 29 years aiming to provide voluntary development and public services, and every year, each university takes a turn to host the activity. This year, CMU, the host, organized a project to build a multipurpose building at Wat Pa Sutthiyanamongkhol, a branch of the Wat Pa Dara Phirom Phra Aram Luang (Royal Temple) located at Ta Sop Sao Sub-district, Mae Tha District, Lamphun, as well as improve the temple’s area and host a kathina, a robe-offering ceremony, on October 10, 2020.
In the CMU-KKU Voluntary Rural Development Camp, students spent 5 days fostering their volunteer mindset and skills in various domains. To achieve the goals, the responsibilities in the camp were divided by the capability of each participant, for instance, farming, construction, cooking, and entertainment. Through area development, the construction of the multipurpose building, and the kathina ceremony, they gained authentic experience and learned more about the local lifestyle, culture, and traditions, thus becoming motivated to create a space of well-being that was suitable to the local context. Ultimately, this has resulted in a positive relationship between the universities and the community, as well as a bond and harmony in the group.
Impressions
Mr.Sopanut Khosawat, 3rd-year student at Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University
“Last year, I heard people saying that this camp gave their life inspiration and I didn’t really get that until now. Thank you for reigniting the will to live a meaningful life in me.”
“It’s true we joined the development camp to help the community. But actually, it was the community who gave us the chance to develop the community and ourselves. It always feels great to go out there and achieve something like this. I believe that students and the community have learnt at least a thing or two from each other.”
Mr.Pacharapol Inkhamnoi, 1st-year student, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University
“Voluntary Rural Development Camp brings all to harmony from CMU and KKU to build a better society."
“It’s heartwarming and I feel very proud to be a part of this. The community has given so many things back - kindness and goodwill. It really is fulfilling. Perhaps, this is what they mean by ‘the joy from giving’, to be happy to play a part, small as it may be, in contributing to society.”
Ms.Pimchanok Assang, 2nd-year student, Faculty of Mass Communication, Chiang Mai University
“It feels great to have tried something new and learnt about a new culture through conversations with the locals.”
“This year, I was the head of entertainment, which was both fun and tiring at the same time. I wouldn’t have been able to complete this project without the help from everyone - no games and no sports. I really couldn’t have done it alone. We could all these fun activities because of everyone’s contribution. Thank you to you all from the bottom of my heart.”
CMU recognizes volunteer projects as an important lesson outside the university that allows students to experience and learn how it feels to collaborate for the collective goods. The project is a testament showing that distance, between the North and Northeast, is no obstacle. Everyone heads towards the same goal with the same principle, reflecting the desirable graduate outcomes – morality, ethics, and public mind, that drives sustainable community development