(February 25–27, 2025) – Phuket Rajabhat University (PKRU), led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Hiran Prasarnkarn, President of PKRU, took part in the 18th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Strategic Planning Meeting, held in Putrajaya, Malaysia.  

The event brought together representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to strengthen regional economic collaboration through key discussions on sustainable tourism, agricultural innovation, and halal industry development. The meeting was attended by stakeholders including the National Secretariats (NS), Working Groups (WGs), government agencies and provincial authorities, the Joint Business Council (JBC), the IMT-GT University Network (UNINET), the Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation (CIMT), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

During the meeting, PKRU shared its visions, knowledge, and strategic insights to support the university’s future development plans, focusing on four key initiatives:

IMT-GT Smart Agriculture & Agribusiness Incubation Center

Establishing a hub for students and farmers to develop precision agriculture and smart farming technologies aimed at increasing productivity and reducing agricultural costs.

Blue Economy & Coastal Agriculture Project

Providing training and support for fisheries and marine-based entrepreneurs, emphasizing sustainable aquaculture, eco-friendly fishing practices, and the adoption of innovative marine technologies.

Herbal, Superfood, and Halal Products Research Center

Promoting the development of economic herbs and superfood crops, from cultivation and processing to finished products, while expanding halal products and services to meet the growing demands of the global health and halal markets.

Sustainable Community-Based Tourism Research Center

Fostering knowledge on eco-friendly tourism management by promoting community-based tourism, cultural heritage conservation, and sustainable tourism models that balance economic, social, and environmental impacts.