People with disabilities are a vulnerable group that governments worldwide prioritize to improve their quality of life in all dimensions. Issues concerning people with disabilities are directly related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with indicators covering as many as 12 of the first goals. This reflects that people with disabilities are a vulnerable group that could either hinder a country’s development or contribute to its economic growth, depending on government policies and attention. The primary goal is to enhance the quality of life and promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities, enabling them to achieve economic independence and live autonomously. Data shows that people with disabilities who receive support and quality-of-life improvements can live independently, choose their own careers, and some groups of people with disabilities have formed social enterprises to promote and push for economic and social resource access without relying heavily on government mechanisms. Thailand is another country in Southeast Asia that has achieved significant success in promoting the quality of life for people with disabilities through education, career development, and employment promotion. This is evident from the emergence of numerous non-governmental organizations promoting education, career development, and job creation across all regions of the country. Many foreign organizations also visit Thailand to study, observe, and exchange experiences.

          The University of Delaware, USA, is a leading higher education institution ranked second in the country for disability studies and research by the Disability Studies Group. The University of Delaware has an ongoing program to send undergraduate students interested in disability issues to other countries to study, observe, and exchange experiences annually. This allows them to gather information for further study and advanced research.

Burapha University, through its Academic Service Center, recognizes the importance of collaboration with partners in achieving Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by enhancing cooperation between developed and developing countries. This is done by promoting and supporting foreign students and students with disabilities (aligned with Goal 4: Quality Education) to exchange knowledge through direct experience with collaboration partners, including government agencies, private sectors, organizations, educational institutions working for people with disabilities, and role models driving and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities and women (aligned with Goal 10: Reduced Inequality by empowering and promoting social, economic, and political inclusion for all, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, economic status, or other factors).

           This project held from January 5 to 27, 2024. that aims to study models for promoting and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities by enhancing understanding and experience in various dimensions concerning people with disabilities, leading to the development of academic cooperation networks and academic services between Burapha University and the University of Delaware in Thailand. The project activities organized by the Academic Service Center are diverse, including lectures, seminars, student-to-student discussions, student-to-disabled person-to-role model exchanges, field visits, workshops, brainstorming sessions, simulations, and the presentation of ideas for further development. The project is continuous, and this year marks the second year that Burapha University, through its Academic Service Center, has collaborated with the University of Delaware, USA, to organize the “Thailand DIST Winter 2024” project for sustainable development.