Siam University
LiviLiving Craft: Reviving Benjarong Heritage in the New Generation
Winner, Benefitting Society
About
Benjarong — Thailand’s 300-year-old five-colour ceramic art, renowned for its intricate craftsmanship — is a cultural heritage on the verge of extinction.
Practised today by only a handful of communities nationwide, Don Kai Dee village in Samut Sakhon is one of the last remaining sites of authentic Benjarong production, yet its master artisans had never shared their knowledge with the three small schools in the same area. Siam University addressed this gap by creating a cultural transmission programme that gives Benjarong a living presence in contemporary society — not merely preserved in ceremonies, but actively practised and adapted by the next generation as part of their everyday identity. Activities are co-designed with artisans, teachers, and students; embedded directly into the school curriculum; and built for replication without permanent funding. Phase 1 results showed that 95% of students developed pride in local wisdom, and two of three schools independently incorporated the activities into their teaching plans.
Top 3 learnings
- We learned universities create lasting impact by facilitating communities, not instructing them.
- We learned universities create lasting impact by facilitating communities, not instructing them.
- We discovered artisans rediscover purpose when youth genuinely seek their knowledge.
Sustainable Development Goals
What it means to win
Winning this award would confirm what Siam University set out to do: build innovation for a sustainable future by giving young people the tools — and the reason — to become the next generation of cultural custodians. Working through education and alongside communities, we want local wisdom to do more than survive in a museum. We want it handed down, generation to generation, while opening real opportunities for the communities it came from.
This recognition would give us the push to bring this model to more communities — and, we hope, to help others see cultural heritage not as something to protect under glass, but as a living resource that sustainable development can be built on.
Prof. Emeritus Dr.Chanita Rukspollmuang
Vice President, Siam University
Judges' feedback
An exceptional initiative that places the community at the heart of knowledge creation and demonstrates genuine co-production rather than a traditional beneficiary model. The judges were particularly impressed by the integration of cultural heritage, curriculum, youth engagement and community participation. The practical approach to replication also provides strong potential for wider impact. This is an inspiring example of how universities can preserve cultural heritage while creating educational, social and economic value, making it a highly deserving winner.
| 2026 | |
| Benefitting Society | |
| Winner, International | |
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