Goal 1: No Poverty

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Officially launch of the Yunus Social Business Centre (YSBC) Siam

https://ico.siam.edu/centers/ysbc On May 4, 2026, Siam University officially launched the Yunus Social Business Centre (YSBC) Siam in collaboration with the Yunus Centre, joining the global network of 117 YSBCs across 40 countries and becoming the 6th YSBC in Thailand. The MoU signing virtual ceremony was witnessed by distinguished dignitaries including Ms. Lamiya Morshed (Executive Director, Yunus Center), Professor Emeritus Dr. Chanita Rukspollmuang, and Asstistant Professor Dr. Maruj Limpawattana, alongside Siam University senior management, faculty, and students. This meaningful milestone reflects Siam University’s strong commitment to sustainability, social innovation, and empowering students to become “job creators” rather than job seekers. The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration among universities, communities, and international partners to create real social impact through social business initiatives. We were deeply inspired by remarks from Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, who emphasized the importance of imagination, entrepreneurship, and education in building a “World of Three Zeros”:

• Zero Poverty - Eradicating poverty through sustainable social business models that create economic opportunity for all. • Zero Unemployment - Fostering entrepreneurship and innovation to ensure meaningful work and livelihood for every individual. • Zero Net Carbon Emissions - Promoting environmentally sustainable practices and technologies to combat climate change. Four pillars driving social impact at YSBC Siam includes “Education & Research” - Developing social business curricula, conducting action research, and producing case studies on social innovation across Business and IT programs; “Entrepreneurship & Innovation“ - Student incubation, social business competitions, workshops, and connections to the global Yunus network and practitioners; “Technology for Social Impact” - Leveraging Information Systems and Technologies to bridge the digital divide and develop tech-enabled solutions for underserved populations; and “Partnerships & Community” - Building partnerships with government, NGOs, and private organizations plus capacity-building programs across the global YSBC network spanning five continents. Under the leadership of President of Siam University, Dr. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, and with support from Yunus Thailand and international partners, YSBC Siam University aims to become a platform for learning, innovation, research, and sustainable development for students and society.

Siam Fair 2025

The first Siam Fair held at Siam University from November 15–23, 2025, was organized under the theme “Thai Ways, Global Ways Toward Sustainability.“ The initiative aimed to stimulate local economic activity in alignment with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) policies, promote sustainable Thai and global practices through scholarly exhibitions, pay homage to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, and foster cross- sector knowledge exchange among academic institutions, government agencies, the private sector, and local communities to support sustainable development in Phasi Charoen District and the greater Bangkok metropolitan area. Key Activities included local market areas as well as Festivals and Entertainment featuring balloon festival, open-air live music and concerts; Cultural & Sustainable Exhibitions showcasing contemporary Thai fashion, royal craft arts, student and international handicraft runways, alongside exhibitions on Reuse– Recycle–Reduce sustainable products; Interactive Workshops & Competitions; and Siam Openhouse Education Showcase presenting university curricula, student innovations, and academic projects to prospective students. The market area housed over a hundred commercial and educational stalls divided into designated zones, Also, featured trendy street food vendors, viral TikTok Shop/Store food stands, regional snacks, apparel, and student startup businesses. Community Enterprises & OTOP were promoted. The University Business Incubator (UBI) provided dedicated stalls for local grassroots community enterprises to market local goods directly to the public while dedicated sales zones featured certified OTOP (One Tambon One Product) crafts, artisan handmade goods, and sustainable merchandise developed in collaboration with local Bangkok district networks (Khlong San, Phasi Charoen, and Thon Buri areas). Dr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Bangkok Governor, presided at the opening of the event since Siam Fair 2025 supported BMA’s policies:

• Stimulating the Grassroots Economy: Providing opportunities for community enterprises, community groups in Bangkok’s Southern Thonburi area, and local vendors to sell OTOP (One Tambon One Product) goods and locally made products, thereby generating income directly for local communities. • Promoting Sustainability: Visiting the Siam Nitas exhibition, which showcases innovative and creative products developed by students and partner networks based on the principles of Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce, contributing to the sustainable development of Bangkok. • Engaging in Community Development: Promoting knowledge exchange and fostering collaboration among educational institutions, government agencies, the private sector, and local residents in Phasi Charoen District to support community development and strengthen local partnershi At the closing ceremony, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration—represented by the Phasi Charoen District Office—received donations of dry food rations and consumer goods from Siam University. These provisions are designated for distribution to vulnerable demographics—including the elderly, persons with disabilities, bedridden patients, marginalized individuals, and low-income households—under the district's operational framework of the BKK Food Bank project. It was reported that the event drew thousands of daily visitors consisting of high school students attending open- house sessions, university students, local residents of the Phasi Charoen/Bang Wa communities, and general festivalgoers attending the evening concerts and night market.

Anti-poverty Program in Campus Financial Aid for the Needy Siam University promotes opportunity for all by providing various kinds of scholarships for needy students, especially those from lower socio-economic status and the vulnerable groups. We provide financial aids such as 100% free tuition, 50% tuition discount, scholarship for students with disabilities as well as scholarships for needed students who have good academic achievement such as Siam Wisdom, Siam Digital Guru, Super Talent, Athletes, Thai Arts and Culture, Siam Young Blood scholarship for families of present students and graduates within 5 years, Children of Alumni, Super Parent for those from single-parent family, and QS Siam. According to the Office of Registration, the percentage of students who received financial aid are 31.18%, 29.44%, 24.73 % in 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively as of September 29, 2026. Number of Students who Received Financial Aids

2023 2024 2025 2026 

Total students who received financial aids 3,089 3,119 2,619 1,378

Total students in Siam University 9,908 10,594 10,590 9,918

% of students with financial aids 31.18 29.44 24.73 13.89

 As of September 29, 2026

Financial aids are also provided to international students especially those who come from low and low-middle income countries. According to the Office of Registration, between 2022-2025, there were 1,793; 1,933; 1,849; and 1,271 international students who received financila aids. Among these students, many come from low or lower-middle income countries as classified by the World Bank. The Office of Registration reported that In 2025, among 1,271 students who received financial aids 28 come from Low-income countries and 1,243 from Lower- middle-income economies. Those from Low-income countries are Uganda (8), Afghanistan (5), Ethiopia (4), Somali (4), Liberian (3), Nigeria (2), and Syrian (2). As for Lower-middle-income countries, they are from Myanmar (756), Nepalese (223), Indian (100), Nigerian (75), Pakistan (24), Bangladeshi (22), Sri Lanka (11), Cambodia (8), Laos (7), Vietnam (5), Guinea (4), Kenya (3), Bhutan (1), Cameroon (1), Congo (1), Egypt (1), and Zimbabwean (1). As for 2026 uptil September 29, it was reported that among 1,378 students who received financial aids, 1,179 receipients come from Low-income (28) and Lower-middle-income economies (1,151). The Low-income countries were Afghanistan (6), Ethiopia (4), Somali (4), Liberia (3), Nigeria (2), Syria (2), Uganda (7). The Low- income countries included Myanmar (762), Nepal (158), India (99), Nigeria (52), Bangladesh (26), Pakistan (26), Cambodia (7), Laos (6), Guinea (6), Vietnam (4), Kenya (3), Bhutan (1), Cameroon (1).

Anti-Poverty Program in Communities Knowledge Shating and Upskill training for the Elderly at Khan Ruea Community On 15 March 2026, Faculty of Communication Arts at Siam University, led by Assist. Prof. Suthawan Thammasangwan, served as a speaker in a community development project aimed at enhancing income opportunities for older adults through handicraft production and the application of technology in the Khan Ruea community. The initiative was supported by a network of partner organizations, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), and other relevant partners. The project focused on strengthening older adults’ vocational skills through the production of handicrafts and herbal products, such as herbal inhalers and other products derived from local traditional knowledge. It also provided guidance on the use of digital technologies for communication, marketing, and expanding product sales in the contemporary digital economy. This initiative represents part of a broader effort to empower older adults by enhancing their skills, creating income-generating opportunities, and improving their quality of life. It also contributes to strengthening community resilience by integrating local wisdom with the appropriate application of modern technology.