1. Background
Believing that human resource development is the core foundation of national development, the Bank prioritizes educational advancement through ongoing projects and initiatives. In 2023, we established the Pohpunpanya Foundation to promote educational development for targeted youth aged 10 to 18 in Nan Province, supporting the vision to transform Nan into a center of learning – the “Takkasila of Eastern Lanna.”
The Pohpunpanya Foundation has developed flexible, voluntary extracurricular learning programs – available both online and offline – to enhance youth skills. Utilizing research-based learning (RBL) and phenomenon-based learning (PhBL), the programs enable learners to refine their thinking systems, acquire new knowledge and skills, and cultivate wisdom and critical thinking alongside other essential life skills for the future. Ultimately, it aims to nurture young people as “Change Agents” who can serve as key drivers for sustainable community and national development.
2. Objectives
2.1 To foster learning processes that cultivate logical and critical thinking systems through modern, multi-channel technology, empowering youth in Nan aged 10 to 18 to apply interdisciplinary knowledge to real-world situations and phenomena. This hands-on experience enhances core education and equips youth with practical life skills – promoting well-being and sustainability, and serving as a vital mechanism for generating lasting benefits for their communities and society.
2.2 To develop high-potential youth in Nan, elevating the quality of the province’s human capital and fostering meaningful, high-impact youth community service that creates continuous, positive outcomes for the community, province, and nation.
2.3 To promote the SDGs.
- Goal 1: No poverty
- Goal 4: Quality education
- Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
- Goal 10: Reducing inequalities
3. Project Details
The Nan Cultivation of Wisdom project consists of the following initiatives:
1.
Seed Camp - A short-term camp designed to foster students’ education through research-based learning (RBL). The program engages youth in a variety of interactive learning stations that stimulate critical thinking, while practicing how to present concepts and solutions to real-world challenges facing Nan. The camp aims to develop Nan youth into practical, analytical thinkers who know how to ask the right questions and seek out answers – the essential foundation of lifelong learning.
2.
The Subject for a Better Human Society - A program designed to prepare learners with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to foster self-awareness, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of themselves and others. It aims to instill civic responsibility, empowering youth to actively contribute to building a sustainable, livable society for the future.
3.
Language Camp - A school-break camp designed to enhance thinking systems alongside language skills and experiences. Participants may choose to study a language of their interest, including Lanna, Thai, Chinese, or English. The program aims to foster positive language attitudes, boost communication confidence, and encourage appropriate language usage for effective communication. The program provides opportunities to showcase linguistic talents on stage, helping youth gain confidence, take pride in their potential, and develop lasting motivation to continue learning languages beyond the camp experience. Ultimately, it aims to empower youth to use language as a gateway to life opportunities – paving the way for career growth and personal stability, while contributing to the sustainable development of their hometowns, communities, and society.
4.
Music Camp - A school-break camp designed to develop thinking systems alongside music skills in students’ areas of interest – including Lanna folk music, traditional Thai music, contemporary Thai music, and orchestral symphonic music. The program balances theory and practice through hands-on learning, offering students the opportunity to perform on stage at major provincial events. Participants gain new knowledge, enhanced expertise, and inspiration to practice continuously – empowering them to pursue music careers and bringing artistic appreciation into their daily lives.
5.
Entrepreneurship Camp - A school-break camp designed to refine thinking systems while giving students hands-on experience as entrepreneurs through realistic business simulations. Participants experience real-world setbacks and learn to bounce back with valuable insights, equipped with modern, future-ready knowledge. This enables them to adapt, apply their learning effectively, create their own career opportunities, and drive sustainable growth for their hometowns, communities, and society.
4. Outputs in 2025
Participating students:
• Seed Camp: 7,478 students
• Language Camp: 53 students
• Music Camp: 38 students
• Entrepreneurship Camp: 37 students
Participating schools: 234 schools
5. Impacts
In monitoring operational performance through an evaluation of Social Return on Investment (SROI) – calculated from the value generated across various program activities, including self-reported knowledge gained, cost savings or increased income stemming from post-training behavior changes, and business revenue created by applying program knowledge – the project yielded an SROI ratio of 1: 1.11. This means that for every Baht 1 invested, the project generated Baht 1.11 in social value.