Suan Dusit University (SDU), Trang Education Center, has continuously demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development by integrating environmental management into its academic and operational frameworks. Recognising the importance of protecting aquatic ecosystems in Thailand’s coastal provinces, the university has implemented a comprehensive plan under the Green & Clean University Policy and the SHE Management Standards (Safety, Health, and Environment). These frameworks aim to reduce physical, chemical, and biological alterations to nearby aquatic systems through sustainable resource management, community collaboration, and environmental education.
Enhancing Environmental Standards in the Coastal Hospitality Sector
On 18 December 2024, SDU Trang organized a professional training programme titled “Accommodation Service Business that is Friendly to Health and the Environment.” The initiative was part of the Non-degree Training Curriculum designed to upskill personnel in Thailand’s tourism and wellness industries. The training targeted local entrepreneurs and hospitality operators, introducing them to environmentally friendly practices in water management, pollution control, and resource utilisation.
The session focused on eco-friendly hospitality management, providing participants with knowledge about wastewater management, chemical reduction, and the use of sustainable materials within hotel operations. Lecturers from SDU’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, in collaboration with academic experts from Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University, introduced concepts of green tourism and sustainable wellness services, highlighting practices that protect water resources, reduce land-based pollution, and promote biodiversity conservation in coastal areas.
This programme served as a key component of SDU’s broader Sustainable Tourism Development Plan, reinforcing the university’s role in knowledge transfer, environmental awareness, and the application of sustainable technologies to prevent damage to aquatic and marine ecosystems.
Institutional Green & Clean University Policy and SHE Management Standards
In parallel with community-focused initiatives, SDU has implemented institutional measures to ensure responsible water and environmental management within its campuses. On 27 March 2024, the Environmental Center of the Faculty of Science and Technology conducted an on-site inspection at SDU Trang to evaluate the implementation of the Green & Clean University Policy. The visit aimed to strengthen local environmental practices and develop action plans consistent with the SHE Management Standards, which emphasise environmental safety, water quality, and waste control.
Key elements of this plan include:
- Regular monitoring of water quality to prevent chemical contamination in wastewater and surface runoff;
- Developing eco-friendly infrastructure such as green drainage systems and sedimentation ponds to reduce physical alteration of aquatic environments;
- Limiting the use of harmful chemicals in landscaping, laboratories, and canteens; and
- Promoting staff and student participation in sustainability and environmental stewardship programmes.
Through these actions, SDU ensures that its campuses maintain high environmental standards, minimise the ecological footprint of academic operations, and contribute to the conservation of marine and freshwater ecosystems surrounding the Trang region.
Outcomes and Impacts of the Implementation Plan
The implementation of both initiatives has generated measurable environmental, social, and institutional outcomes that align with SDG 14.5.1 objectives.
From an environmental perspective, SDU has strengthened its wastewater management systems and improved chemical safety measures to ensure that all effluents meet national standards for water quality. Through proactive pollution prevention strategies, the university has reduced the physical, chemical, and biological alteration of nearby water bodies, contributing to the protection of local biodiversity and the restoration of aquatic ecosystem balance.
From a socioeconomic perspective, the training for hospitality businesses has enhanced local entrepreneurs’ capacity to apply sustainable management principles within their operations. By adopting responsible resource utilisation, participants are now capable of maintaining profitability while reducing environmental degradation—a model that promotes sustainable coastal development.
At the institutional level, SDU has established a robust system of integrated environmental management that connects policy, implementation, and continuous monitoring. The Environmental Center’s assessments under the SHE Management Standards ensure transparency and continuous improvement in marine conservation and ecosystem protection, both within and beyond university grounds.
These achievements collectively demonstrate SDU’s long-term commitment to minimising alterations to aquatic ecosystems through education, research, and community engagement. The university’s integrated approach—linking sustainability policy, technological practice, and civic participation—represents a model for higher education institutions seeking to protect biodiversity and enhance ecosystem resilience, fully aligning with the global mission of SDG 14: Life Below Water.
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