ANNUAL BUN BOEK FA RED CROSS FESTIVAL

More than a thousand students from MSU participated in the very popular Bun Boek Fa grand parade for the opening of the annual Bun Boek Fa Red Cross Fair.

The spectacular parade on January 28 was a part of the opening day ceremonies for the annual event. The Bun Boek Fa festival coincides with the beginning of the rice harvest season. Traditionally, farmers pay homage to the Goddess of Rice, Mae Pho Sop, preserving traditional Isan customs through ceremonies showing respect to the goddess.

For the tourist it is simply a festival. For the Isan people it is a very important part of their traditional lives.

The Red Cross is very well supported in Mahasarakham and the Bun Boek Fa Red Cross Fair gives students from many faculties at MSU the opportunity to showcase their faculties work at stalls erected for the ten day festival.

Besides the stalls there is a carnival atmosphere every night with many varieties of food available, carnival attractions and bargains galore at the many market stalls.

One of the very popular attractions is the fishing pond where every ‘fish’ caught wins a prize and a new car or motorcycle up for grabs.

The Bun Boek Fa Red Cross Fair is an event involving all the Mahasarakham community with people from all over Maha Sarakham Province coming to town to join in the festival atmosphere. ...more pics

MSU SPORTS GAMES AWARDS CLOSING CEREMONY

MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito chaired the closing ceremony of the 16^th Ratchaphruek Sporting Games on January 27. The games are an annual event with MSU faculties and departments competing against each other in sports such as including boxing, badminton, tennis, beach volleyball, petanque, tug-of-war, takraw, table tennis, checkers and crosswords.

The games are held for over a month preceding the closing ceremony with events scheduled so as not to interfere with normal university classes or working times. The large non-compulsory participation rate is due to the strong Thai cultural sense of community engagement whether with fellow students, staff or faculty members. From the writer’s western point of view it would be worth competing simply for the opportunity to win one of the huge, glamorous trophies, a reason which does not seem to occupy the forefront of the minds of the MSU competitors.

The closing ceremony and awards presentation was themed ‘Sing for the King’ with participants and prize winners all enjoying a wonderful evening. The sentiments on the night were not so much concentrated on congratulating winners but more a spirit of everybody joining in for a celebration of good sportsmanship and community togetherness which is typically Thai. ...more pics

LOOKING TOWARDS 2015 - MUTUAL CO-OPERATION TALKS HELD WITH UTM MALAYSIA

On January 18 Mahasarakham University welcomed representatives of the University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) to meet and discuss details of mutual co-operation between the two universities.

The UTM delegation included Director of Internal Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Abdul Aziz, Dean of School of Professional and Continuing Education, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khairul Anuar Abdullah and Manager of UTM International Section Mr.Zulkifli Osman.

The meeting, hosted by Vice President of Planning and International Relations Dr. Nathanon Trachooo was also attended by many heads of MSU Faculties, including Accountancy and Management, Humanities and Social Sciences, Board of Education, Academic Affairs, Architecture Planning and Creative Arts, Western Languages and Linguistics.

Initial talks were held on reciprocal agreements engaging student exchange through the newly created MSU University Overseas Experience Course which is a similar program to UTM’s Student Global Outreach program.

Also discussed was the future mutual exchange of academic personnel as well as engagement by both UTM and MSU in the important inclusion of exchanging traditional cultural knowledge through MSU’s Pure Thai program and UTM’s Outreach program.

A delegation from MSU will shortly travel to Kuala Lumpur to finalise details and hopefully sign an MOU officially linking these two fine ASEAN educational institutions.

Mahasarakham University is being very proactive in engaging with other ASEAN tertiary institutions looking towards the predicted 2015 educational unification of ASEAN nations. ...more pics

MSU CO-HOSTING 15TH ASIAN FORUM ON BUSINESS EDUCATION

On January 18 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito hosted Asian Forum on Business Education (ABFE) President Dr. Brian Sheehan and ABFE Secretary Dr. Victor Egan in discussions on the forthcoming 15^th AFBE Conference to be held in Bangkok at the Landmark Hotel from May 28 – 29 this year.

The theme of the conference is ‘The Opportunities, Threats, and Future Trends of Business in China, India and ASEAN Countries.’

Mahasarakham University is once again co-hosting the conference, giving MSU exposure to a large international audience of business academics. The ABFE conference has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 1992 having extended its activities from just having an annual conference to now including the International Business School Accreditation System (IBSA), International Dr. of Business Administration (IDBA) program and publishing the online AFBE Journal.

Submission deadline for abstracts is February 28 and full papers by April 30. More information is available from the AFBE website:  http://www.afbe.biz    ...more pics

BRITISH COUNCIL SEMINAR ON INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AT MSU

On January 17 MSU International Relations invited the British Council to address over seventy students and members of its executive at a seminar held in the fourth floor meeting room at the President’s Building. A representative of the British Council gave an address on issues concerning personal development opportunities and international technical co-operations with institutions in the United Kingdom.

A question and answer session followed with advice given on how students could build a network of technical co-operation with higher education institutions in the UK. ...more pics

2ND ANNUAL COM BIZ SHOWCASES STUDENTS BUSINESS AND IT SKILLS

On January 17 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito opened the 2^nd Annual ComBIZ festival organised by the Faculty of Accountancy and Management.

The MSU Combiz festival was successfully inaugurated twelve months ago due to the lack of a forum accessible to the public and businesses where students could demonstrate their computer related business and information technological abilities as well as showcase products of their work.

The two day ComBIZ festival demonstrates the determination of MSU Faculty of Accountancy and Management to engage students in constructive learning processes which are orientated to real time future careers in computers.

Students do presentations, participate in academic quizzes and erect stalls showcasing displays of information, technology and business systems.

Besides giving the public access to the students work, the well attended ComBIZ festival permits future employers to attend and informally speak with students about their work. ...more pics

SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION SESSION FOR INTERNATIONAL STAFF

On January 11 MSU International Relations Office held an information session regarding Social Security for MSU International Staff at the meeting room in the Faculty of Science.

Mahasarakham University is in the process of ensuring all present staff employed are correctly registered and current with Social Security.

After a presentation outlining Social Security benefits a question and answer session was held with representatives from Mahasarakham Social Security Office, MSU Human Resources, Finance and International Relations making themselves available to answer questions concerning issues of Social Security. It is now MSU policy to have all current and future International Staff registered for Social Security. ...more pics

56TH ANNUAL NATIONAL EXHIBITION OF ART

On January 10 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito opened the north-eastern section of the 56^th Annual National Exhibition of Art competition at the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts. The exhibition is a part of continuing collaboration with Silpakorn University, Bangkok.

The National Exhibition of Art has been in existence since the 1940’s as a legacy to Professor Silpa Bhirasri. Professor Bhirasri is said to have laid the foundations of modern art education for Thai Youth. In 1943 he became the first Dean of Silkaporn School (now  Silkaporn University) which opened in 1943 teaching Fine Arts only with only one faculty of Painting and Sculpture.

The exhibition encourages competition to encourage Thai youth in the north-east to create art works of high quality and for individuals, as well as the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, to gain recognition in the wider public sphere.

The exhibition will run from January 10 to 26 in building B of the Academic Resource Centre. ...more pics

MSU INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OFFICE LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE I.C.E.S PROGRAM

After running a successful pilot program Mahasarakham International Relations Office has launched an exciting new program to assist in the teaching of conversational English to Thai        primary and secondary school students.

The I.C.E.S  (ISAN CULTURAL EXCHANGE SCHOOLING) Program intends to attract native English speaking interns who have just attained their degrees and are looking for something to fill in what is commonly termed their ‘gap year’.

Benefits of the program are many. Thai school students as well as Thai teachers of English will benefit in having a native English speaker assist with conversational English skills. The intern will benefit by learning Thai culture and enjoying wonderful Isan hospitality by living with a Thai family during their internship.

It is hoped many native English speaking graduates will be coming to Mahasarakham to commence the I.C.E.S Program for the start of the next school term.

Link to the I.C.E.S Information Kit is at : http://www.inter.msu.ac.th/newsheadline/upload/S0000103.pdf

MSU PRESENTS FLAG TO 38TH UNIVERSITY GAMES REPRESENTATIVES

MSU Division of Student Affairs organised a flag presentation send off for MSU athletes representing North Eastern Thailand at the Bangkok University Games to be held at Chulalongkorn University between January 11 – 22.

The athletes and teams have been selected after participating at the Upper Northeast Games held last October.

Over three hundred athletes and support staff will be representing the region in eighteen disciplines.

In his speech wishing good luck to the MSU representatives President Dr. Supachai Samappito emphasised the importance of sport as being competitive in its nature but more importantly the spirit of sportsmanship and respect for the rules leads to better friendships and disciplines of living together within society. Dr. Supachai wished all the competitors and support well during the competitions and said he was proud to be sending MSU ‘sports intellectuals’ to the 38^th University Games at Chulalongkorn University. ...more pics

OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS & RESEARCH 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SEMINAR

A technical seminar entitled Leaders in the New Millennium was held at Makasarakham’s Takasila Hotel coinciding with 10^th Anniversary celebrations of the MSU Office of Academic Affairs and Research.

MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito congratulated the staff of the Office of Academic Services and Research (OAS) for the development of its Bureau of Technical Services which creates programs and solutions benefitting not only MSU academic services but also outside organisations.

Over two hundred people attended the seminar which included an address entitled Leaders in the New Millennium given by Dr. Nitipoom Nawarat. The address was given on the subject matter of human resource management regarding the future expansion and role of the Office of Academic Services. The OAS plays a pivotal role in the dissemination of knowledge, strategic management planning and corporate strategies. It has the capabilities to provide innovative service for the enhancement of confidence and image to outside organisations. more pics

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY CELEBRATED AT MSU

On January 8 MSU Vice President for Student Development Dr. Sujin Butdisuwan had the enviable task of representing MSU in opening celebrations for Thai National Children’s Day.

MSU Student Council and various other student clubs banded together to create a special occasion for over two thousand children and adults attending the day held at the MSU Gymnasium.

The National Children’s Day motto this year of ‘cautious, cognitive public mindedness’ was the underlying theme for activities. Lots of prizes were donated by MSU and awarded to children participating in games cultivating knowledge towards the values of harmony, discipline and ethics.

It is still being decided whether the children or the adults had more fun on the day. ...more pics

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 2010 AWARD TO DR. PATHOM HONGSUWAN

Congratulations to Dr. Pathom Hongsuwan from MSU’S Faculty of         Humanities and Social Science being awarded the National Research Council Annual Research Award 2010.

Hongsuwan’s work, entitled ‘The Buddha Images Myths of Lanna: Intellectual Power of the Beliefs and Relationship with Local Communities’ is a research work aiming to collect legends of Buddha first appearing in Lanna. Lanna refers to eight provinces around Chiang Mai in Upper North Thailand. (For a little background on the Kingdom of Lanna go to Wikipedia: search term Lanna)

Hongsuwan’s research includes analysis of four sets of ideas of values determining behaviour from meanings gathered from symbols of the Buddha.

The research also analyses the value and power of the Buddha legend on the local Lanna community in order to gain an understanding of the nature and social life of the Lanna which continues to this day. ...more pics

MSU AND MAHSARAKHAM SECONDARY SCHOOLS CONNECTED

Memoranda of Understanding Cooperation Agreements have been signed to develop information systems for the Mahasarakham Province Area Office of Education Schools.

Mahasarakham University Faculties of Education, Accountancy and Management, the Mahasarakham Development  Foundation, Ministry of Education and financial software company Alphametrics (Saraburi) will assist the working group. The development of information and waste management systems, centralised results management, improved communication and networking systems for the Mahasarakham Area Office of Education are all part of the project plan. 

Part of the Management Information Systems Project  will also provide a study of secondary and primary education in Maha Sarakham Province important for the future development of educational policy within the province. ... more pics

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!

From the desk of Dr. Nathanon Trachoo

As Vice President and head of Mahasarakham University Planning and International Relations Office I would like to wish all our readers a happy and prosperous New Year.

We commence the Year 2010 with a new look newsletter bringing it into line with the international branding process of MSU we are undertaking. Our innovative staff are busy creating an image for Mahasarakham University that will become easily recognisable from the university colours of gold and grey, the stupa icon representing Maha Sarakham Province, the geographical identification of MSU located in the heart of the northeast of Thailand and the cultural promotion of traditional Isan culture through our Pure Thai programs.

We now have experienced native language liaison officers producing publications in English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Cambodian.

Senior International Relations Officer Dr. Robert Rowe is engaging with faculties across MSU towards the creation of international programs to greatly expand those currently on offer.

Our 2015 goal is to be able to play an important part in the ASEAN educational system offering  international students and academics the ability to engage in academic excellence at MSU while experiencing and living within a cultural environment which will provide unforgettable lifelong memories.

On behalf of MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito I extend a warm invitation to scholars and institutions world wide to explore possibilities of mutual international co-operation available at Mahasarakham University.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year.

Dr. Nathanon Trachoo.