KKUIC Launches “ecoCoin” – A Digital Carbon Credit Platform

1 9 月, 2025
5:54 下午

Driving Green University Initiatives and Leading the Transition Towards a Low-Carbon Society.

Khon Kaen, September 1, 2025 – Khon Kaen University International College has marked a new milestone in education and sustainable development with the official launch of “ecoCoin,” a pioneering digital carbon credit platform. The project, entitled “Pilot Model for a Digital Carbon Credit Platform at Khon Kaen University,” is supported by the Fundamental Fund for Fiscal Year 2025 under the Program to Promote Science, Research, and Innovation. More than just a technological tool, ecoCoin is designed as a driving force to reshape student and staff behaviors and attitudes toward a more sustainable, low-carbon society, through an engaging gamification system that links carbon credit accumulation with ongoing rewards.

The launch ceremony was held on September 1, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the 9th Floor of the Khon Kaen Innovation Center (KIC). The event was graced by college members, researchers, and distinguished guests across sectors. The initiative is led by Assoc. Prof. Chavis Ketkaew,Ph.D., Principal Investigator, along with a team of dedicated researchers including Dr. Wanwisa Wannapipat, the designer and developer of the ecoCoin mobile web application, which focuses on long-term attitude change, as well as a reward system that creates continuous motivation; and Asst. Prof. Khwanjira Ponsree, who drives the integrated behavior change campaign using Customer Insight Analysis and Media Production to transform student behaviors.

The event was honored to have Asst. Prof. Sirimonbhorn Thipsingh, the Dean of the Khon Kaen University International College, preside over the official opening ceremony. Mr. Natthakorn Srinawakul, a member of the Khon Kaen Municipality Council, also invited to participate in a discussion on ” the Future of Khon Kaen City.”

In the Dean’s opening remarks, she emphasized the vision and purpose of the project, stating: “This initiative is not only an environmental innovation, but also a platform where students and staff can learn through hands-on engagement. Most importantly, it builds awareness and a sense of collective responsibility toward the global community. Khon Kaen University is determined to become a model ‘Green University’ and a key driver of sustainable development.”

Echoing this sentiment, Assoc. Prof. Chavis underscored the transformative power of ecoCoin: “ecoCoin is not just another reward-based app; it is a Social Change Tool designed to reshape students’ attitudes and behaviors over the long term. By applying behavioral psychology principles and a sustained reward system, we aim to make carbon reduction part of daily life – not just a temporary activity.”

The event atmosphere was vibrant and engaging, featuring a program that highlighted the significance of the project. It began with a presentation on the project’s background and objectives, followed by the official opening ceremony and a live demonstration of ecoCoin’s functionality. Attendees explored how the platform enables users to earn and redeem carbon credits through behaviors aligned with low-carbon living. Another key highlight was a special panel discussion, “The Future of Khon Kaen City,” which presented a forward-looking vision of the city’s development towards becoming a carbon-neutral urban model. The event concluded with a token presentation and group photo session, symbolizing the collective commitment to a sustainable future.

Beyond the launch, the ecoCoin project is designed to deliver tangible and lasting outcomes. The platform itself serves not only as a digital tool for accumulating and redeeming carbon credits but also as a behavioral intervention mechanism that encourages long-term engagement. A stepwise incentive system motivates sustained participation, while the research team has also developed a practical model for carbon credit valuation. The project integrates cross-disciplinary campaigns to foster sustainable mindset shifts among students and produces policy recommendations to extend the model to other educational institutions.

The significance of this initiative extends well beyond Khon Kaen University. It is envisioned as the first step towards making Khon Kaen a low-carbon city and positioning the university as the first “Green University” in Northeast Thailand. More importantly, the university aspires to serve as a national knowledge hub for digital carbon credit management, with the potential to expand to other institutions across the country and contribute to international collaborations.

The launch of ecoCoin is therefore not simply the introduction of a digital platform, but a bold declaration of Khon Kaen University’s commitment to leading societal change through research, technology, and collaboration. It represents a concrete step toward building a sustainable and environmentally responsible future—at the local, national, and global levels.