Nan Cultivation of Wisdom project

1. Background   

          KBank collaborated with the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) to implement the Cultivation of Wisdom project during the past twelve years (2012-2024) in Nan Province. Nan province is a rural area with an underserved population. It is mostly mountainous, and the topography is not conducive to large-scale industry or becoming a commercial center. As a result, people have limited career options, and most are low-income earners. The network infrastructure is not yet comprehensive, leading to inequality in access to information among the population. There are significant issues of poverty, which are compounded by the rural nature of the area and the lack of services available to its inhabitants. 

          This project triggered changes in the educational approach at participating schools because they adopted research-based learning, based on analytical, synthetic and logical thinking, and scientific skills and processes as an essential tool to encourage students in their learning and seeking solutions. Such changes are in alignment with the government’s development guidelines, which require scientific knowledge as a foundation for creating innovation and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness. The success of the Cultivation of Wisdom project has prompted KBank to continue the initiative by creating the Nan Cultivation of Wisdom project in collaboration with the University of Phayao.This project places importance on the development of learning process, while also promoting sustainable development, based on ESG criteria. It will also be developed into a prototype for implementation in other provinces in the future. 

2. Objectives

     2.1 To promote the Cultivation of Wisdom project as a mechanism for creating a society of knowledge and technology.
           To ensure that this project is appropriate within the context of participating schools. To create a common understanding
           with the relevant local agencies regarding the implementation of the project.

     2.2 To offer youths analytical, synthetic and logical thinking skills so that they can manage their life and become qualified
           personnel for the country’s economic and financial systems in the future. 

     2.3 To promote the SDGs.

3. Project Details

           The Cultivation of Wisdom Camp targets high school students because youths at this age tend to explore the meaning of life and purpose. As they are about to embark on the college journey, this phase is ideal for introducing a new learning experience to develop new skills and logic to lead and strike a balance in their lives while also being able to contribute to their communities in the future. The inaugural session of the “Wisdom Cultivation Camp,” was offered to five students in grades 4-5 from each of the eight selected high schools in Nan, including those in remote areas, totaling 40 students. These students had a progressive mind-set, a desire for personal development and growth, were resilient in the face of challenges, adaptable, had a sense of balance, and were eager to learn and share with their communities, plus an interest in business and entrepreneurship. Students participating in the program will receive hands-on training to enable them to turn their business ideas into reality. This will involve tapping into their inherent potential and combining it with practical knowledge gained from professional instructors through participation in a 66-day hands-on camp. The program includes three sub-camps: “Brave to Learn Camp,” “Brave to Venture Camp,” and “Brave to Step Camp,” along with actual business implementation. Throughout their time in the camp, students will acquire knowledge about basic business operations and have the opportunity to engage in discussions and knowledge exchange with business owners in Nan and the country’s leading business gurus. They will also get hands-on experience in producing merchandises or providing services for actual sale or delivery. The project will provide initial funding for business ventures after students present their business plans during the camp. In addition to the practical experience gained in the camp, students will be equipped with further business knowledge through online learning and teamwork training. They will also learn how to build friendship in order to create the best results. 

4. Outputs in 2023 

     4.1 Participating schools: 8 schools 

     4.2 Participating advisory teachers: 16 teachers 

     4 3 Participating students: 40 students 

     4.4 Business plans that were implement: 8 projects

5. Impacts

           Empirical results have been seen throughout the implementation of the Nan Cultivation of Wisdom project. These include changes in the Thai education system at participating schools and a conceptual framework of important public agencies, namely schools, which have adjusted and changed both their learning and teaching processes in line with the competency-based program, as well as being able to enhance the capability of teachers. Such changes are beneficial to the enhancement and development of students’ competencies in accordance with the standards of the basic education curriculum and key capabilities in the 21st century. At the same time, students are ready to embrace life-long learning, and their parents may experience positive effects from behavioral changes of their children.       

The social return on investment (SROI) analysis on the Cultivation of Wisdom Camp shows that every 1 Baht invested in the project helps generate social benefits worth 2.79 Baht (or the return ratio of 1:2.79).

The social return is based on the calculation of return, occurring with participating teachers. Details are as follows: The value of knowledge that students assess they have gained from the project as following.

See more an analysis of Social Return on Investment (SROI) of Nan Cultivation of Wisdom project