SILK INNOVATION CENTER LIVING UP TO ITS NAME

Thai silk is renowned as one of the finest quality silks in the world. Mahasarakham University Silk Innovation Centre is one of the leading research and development centers in Thailand. Continuous research and development on improving and value adding throughout the silk industry is a key factor in the Thai silk industry keeping pace in a modern globalised environment. Below are examples of the Silk Innovation Center’s recent community involvement programs, product development and cooperative agreement involvement.

VALUE ADDING TO SILK PRODUCTS COMMUNALLY

On July 12 one of a series of workshops was held in the first floor conference room at the MSU Silk Innovation Center. The workshop comes under a program Strengthening Communities Through Silk Projects which is funded by the Province of Mahasarakham.

This particular workshop consisted of activities including inventing souvenirs and gifts using residuals of mulberry and silk products and training in the use of natural dyes.

 The workshops are aimed to function from a grass roots level encouraging farmers and community members to become innovative and appreciative of the extra income which can be generated in value adding to residuals of the silk creation process.

These workshops involved students from MSU as well as community members from the nearby Ban Phai district.

The program creates a valuable link between government, the Silk Innovation Center and local communities.

SILK PROTEIN SOAP GAINS OFFICIAL APPROVAL

The Silk Innovation Center has now patented and registered four silk protein products with the Department of Intellectual Property.  The process has taken five years since the products were first developed until approval by the Department of Medical Sciences and the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health.

The products which include liquid soap and avocado silk protein cream have proven very popular with people in several provinces in Thailand already. The products are just a few of the many silk related items available from the Bug Bee Silk Shop located in the Silk Innovation Center on Mahasarakham University Campus. 

SERICULTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

On June 29 MSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr Preecha Prathepa represented Mahasarakham University in the signing of an important sericulture agreement of cooperation at the Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok. The agreement links the Department of Sericulture with many other agencies with MSU including Chiang Mai University, Naresuan University (Phitsanulok), and public organisations the Institute of Nuclear Technology and the National Electronics and Computer Center (NECTEC).

The agreement is aimed towards adding value to Thai silk through continuing basic and existing research as well as the development of new technologies. These include design, packaging, processing and research applications using nuclear technology in innovation for new products incorporating electronics.

The agreement has the full support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.