Banpu donates property and land to Mahidol University for environmental education to mark 30th anniversary
On the occasion of 30 years of business operations in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region, Banpu has donated property and land in Lampang Province, worth approximately THB 100 million, to the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University. The donated land, approximately 144 rai, is in Tambon Mae Kua, Sobprap District and Tambon Mae Ta, Mae Ta District of Lampang Province. These assets were formerly used as the Lampang Mine’s field operation office and staff dormitories. The Faculty will develop these properties into a research center for environmental and natural resources management for Thailand and the ASEAN region.
“This donation follows Banpu’s mission to grow business in tandem with society and environmental development. Moreover, it will create valuable opportunities for those communities in the areas where Banpu’s operations were once located,” said Mr. Chanin Vongkusolkit, Chief Executive Officer of Banpu.
Mr. Vongkusolkit added that as one of the energy companies in the Asia-Pacific region, Banpu has committed to do its utmost to be a good corporate citizen of the communities in which it operates. Throughout three decades of consistent growth and development, Banpu has focused on ensuring a considered balance between sustainable business growth and community and environmental development.
Prof. Rajata Rajatanavin, M.D., President of Mahidol University, said that Mahidol acknowledges Banpu’s commitment to developing society and communities while fostering environment awareness locally and regionally. The university also recognizes the potential of the Lampang center for expanding study and research opportunities. This is in line with Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies’ 21st Century Education plan to become a leading center in the ASEAN region for environmental and natural resources study and technology transfer. It will develop the donated properties to be called: “Educational, Research and Technology Transfer Natural Resource and Environment Center for Holistic Watershed Management in Northern Thailand” (Lampang Center).
“The Lampang Center will be Mahidol’s first educational center in northern Thailand. It is collaboration between Mahidol University and Banpu Public Company Limited, aiming at building a cooperative network among government agencies, the private sector and the general public,” said Prof. Rajatanavin.
This center will serve as a focal point for sustainable environment and natural resources management and research. Additionally, it will be the networking center for the government and private sectors to exchange knowledge and insights at the local, regional and national levels as well as lifting the awareness of environmental conservation with the general public.
Prof. Rajatanavin added “Lampang Province has a unique culture with the capability to become not only a hub for transportation and distribution of goods but an industrial center for energy resources and eco-tourism. Mahidol believes that this collaboration will be beneficial for local communities, environment and natural resources, and Thai society as a whole especially when the ASEAN Economic Community is established in 2015”.
