DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS KEEP TRADITIONS ALIVE

On April 7 MSU Division of Student Affairs organised a bathing ceremony in recognition of the importance of the tradition of Songkran. More than fifty people including the Executive Committee of the Division of Student Affairs were involved in the planning of the event. Over five hundred people attended the early morning alms merit making ceremony and over four thousand watched the street parade and competitions in the afternoon.

As well as the street parade there were traditional bathing ceremonies, a beauty contest and a sand pagoda modelling contest.

MSU Division of Student Affairs is a student organisation which recognises the importance of keeping alive the traditional Songkran beauty and culture in the northeast.

This event was also organised to bring together members of the local communities to join in celebrations. The importance of keeping tradition and showing respect to traditional wisdom was marked by inviting special guests from local communities to address the younger student members of the local communities as well as MSU students before they return to their homes for the New Year holidays. 

Songkran is traditionally Thailand’s New Year. The water ceremonies are performed at this time every year to bring the rains which are so vital for the sowing season of the rice crop.

One objective of the student organisation is to increase the body of knowledge and to keep alive the sense of pride in traditional wisdom, local art and culture. Another is to build good relationships between students and nearby communities. MSU Division of Student Affairs is involved in many projects year round. In many instances MSU students give up their free time during short holiday or weekend periods with groups going out into local communities making building improvements to schools, holding community knowledge and networking camps or simply helping out.

Even though MSU is reaching out globally to increase its presence internationally MSU Division of Student Affairs and many other MSU faculties also recognise the benefits of forging strong bonds locally between communities and educational institutions. ...more pics