LEX 2025: Creating Innovations to Solve Community Problems
School of Architecture in collaboration with Singapore Polytechnic from Singapore organized the "Learning Express Programme 2025". This project stems from the cooperation between the two institutions in developing teaching and learning methods and creating educational innovations through activities that emphasize Design Thinking skills. The aim is to create a space for learning and innovation between educational institutions and communities. The program selected communities in Pathum Thani province as fieldwork sites, including Communities in Village 5 and Village 13 of Khlong 3 Subdistrict, Khlong Luang District, Khlong 2 Samakkhi Community, and Baan Mankung Sanfan Nakhon Rangsit Community in Prachathipatai Subdistrict, Thanyaburi District. This allows students to explore and study the way of life, identify community problems, and use the collected data to create innovative solutions through design thinking processes.
On the opening day, students from both institutions were welcomed
Assoc. Prof.Dr.Supachet Chansarn, Assistant to the President for Academic Affairs, Ms. Wendy Leck, SP Facilitator, and community representatives
K. Somkid Intarasaweng, President of Khlong 2 Samakkhi Community, and
K. Samrit Sophabun, President of Sanfan Nakhon Rangsit Community. The event included activities for getting acquainted with local community members, "Icebreaking" relationship-building activities, Thai language lessons for social interaction and conversation, and a lecture on "Sustainable Community Development in Pathum Thani" by Asst. Prof.Dr.Sadanu Sukkasame, Assistant Professor from the Department of Architecture. This helped create an understanding of the social, economic, and geographical situations surrounding Pathum Thani province.
Additionally, there was a review of the design thinking process, sharing of research information in the project areas led by Bangkok University students, and the use of "Local Community Buddies" in each group to receive information and adapt it to target communities. The program also included answering questions for the study on "Sense, Sensibility and Empathy" conducted in the village communities and simulated interviews.
At the closing ceremony, works from students of both institutions were exhibited, along with presentations and a closing speech led by
Assoc. Prof.Dr.Supachet Chansarn, together with Ajarn Jermsuda Manakul, Dean, School of Humanities and Tourism Management, and
Asst. Prof.Dr.Wisarn Patchoo, Dean, School of Engineering. Certificates were awarded to students who participated in the project.
