MSU PRESIDENT DR. SUPACHAI - EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD

On March 22 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito was invited to a presentation ceremony at the Convention Center of the Chulabhorn Research Institute in Bangkok where he was presented with an award of Outstanding Executive of the Year, 2011.

The ceremony was presided over by His Excellency Honorary Professor Dr. Kasem Wattanachi of the Privy Council. The event is sponsored by the Foundation for Thai Society. The award process is conducted by the national business and social magazine Senthang Thai (The Thai Way). Nominees are selected  by a select committee for outstanding performance for the innovation of creative benefits for society and the Thai kingdom.

Students and staff of Mahasarakham University join together in heartily congratulating Dr. Supachai for gaining national recognition for his continuing hard work and commitment in improving Mahasarakham University on the national and international stage while at the same time showing exemplary commitment to his family and the communities within and around Maha Sarakham Province.

MSU President  Dr. Supachai is a leading light at MSU providing a dedicated and unassuming role model as MSU President and family man combined with a virtuous and spiritual community minded life to which students at Mahasarakham University can proudly aspire . Dr. Supachai was one of fifty-two people presented with awards in various fields for outstanding contributions to the future development of Thai society.

Congratulations on a well deserved award Dr. Supachai. You give us pride and joy to be a part of  MSU. .... more pics

UNIVERSITIES KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT NETWORK SEMINAR

On March 17 – 19 a three day seminar on corporate networking between universities was held at the MSU Center for Development and Quality Assurance, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Creative Arts. The seminar was chaired by Professor Preecha Prathepa, MSU Vice President of the Division of Academic Affairs and Research with MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito also in attendance.

The seminar is part of an ongoing project for exchange of information, knowledge, experience and implementation of knowledge management. Topics included teaching methods focusing on students, technical curricula within national higher education guidelines, risk management and the preparation of strategic plans and budgets. The continuous Mini University Knowledge Management Network or Mini UKM projects involve networking between six universities. These include Mahasarakham University, Mae Fah Luang University (Chiang Rai), Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Phanom, Ubon Ratchathani University and Suranaree University of Technology.  .... more pics

PRAY FOR JAPAN - FUNDRAISING APPEAL LAUNCHED AT MSU

On March 17 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito launched a fundraising appeal for the recent disaster in Japan.

The appeal has been named ‘Let’s Pray for Japan’. Staff from all MSU faculties and departments will be selling T-shirts to raise funds for Japanese disaster relief. The T-shirts are readily available and can be bought at many outlets around the campus.

We urge all students and staff of MSU as well as any reading this article to please spare a thought and Pray for Japan as well as perhaps making a small donation. .... more pics

THREE TIERED COLLABORATIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL LIFE SKILLS

An agreement on an innovative collaborative project prototype has been developed between Mahasarakham University and Thakonyang Pittayakhom School.

MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito, Maha Sarakham Secretary of Provincial Administration Mr. Praya Sripha, MSU Director of Computing Mr. Phisit Supansri and Director of Thakonyang Pittayakhom High School attended the signing of the agreement on March 14.

The purpose of the agreement is for the benefit of junior and senior high school students extending to the benefit of the wider community. Co-operative projects such as this do more than simply provide benefit to school students.

This project brings utilises the combination of resources and knowledge from local government administration, Mahasarakham University and Thakonyang Pittayakhom School using a strategic planning and community development approach. The project includes input from those for whom the project is designed to benefit. i.e. the students and general community.

Besides providing the students with knowledge through a computing summer school, the project also includes teaching students everyday life skills and to encourage and support community-centred learning. One example is the setting up of a chicken farm at Thakonyang Pittayakhom School with produce being used to provide school lunches and excess sold at the local market. The program aims towards providing continual life skills integrating IT training to students for the strengthening and sustainability of community heritage and traditions utilising networked resources of government, education and private agencies.  .... more pics

OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS ON OFFER FOR MSU STUDENTS

Mahasarakham University has just announced an innovative Overseas Experience Scholarship for current students.

Students of MSU can apply for Overseas Experience  Program Scholarships. These scholarships provide the opportunity for MSU students to gain valuable experience by attending international universities to learn about the country’s language, traditions, history and culture.

Recent reciprocal agreements signed between the University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) and Sangmyung University in South Korea means students from MSU can spend a short time at these universities without the extra burden of paying accommodation and participation fees.

MSU students will be able to attend UTM Malaysia from May 16 to 27 or Sangmyung University South Korea from June 29 to July 20.

For more information MSU students can click here (in Thai) or email tharnthip.k @ gmail.com

SILK INNOVATION CENTRE CREATING VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS

MSU Silk Innovation is continually striving on research and development concerning all aspects of the silk industry. In early March Thai television stations picked up the story of value added products from raw materials of mulberry and silk created by the Silk Innovation Center.

Products created in the laboratory and now registered under Intellectual Property Patents include silk protein  soaps, creams and sprays as well as innovative mulberry products.

The products are marketed under the Bug Bee Silk Shop (BBS) brand name and have received a favourable reception from manufacturers. Now Thai TV has discovered these products from the MSU Silk innovation Centre it should not be too long before BBS products are recognised all over Thailand. For information regarding BBS products email yai_1203@hotmail.com  ...more pics

VISIT BY UTM EXECUTIVES FOR ACADEMIC EXCHANGE

The recently concluded MOU between Mahasarakham University and the University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) has definitely not been left on the shelf gathering dust.

Three executive representatives of UTM recently visited MSU to engage in academic collaborations leading to academics from MSU continuing studies at doctoral level at UTM.

UTM  Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research  and Innovation Professor Dr. Marzuki bin Khalid gave a speech on artificial intelligence to a large and appreciative Faculty of Engineering audience. Chairperson of Malaysia Deans of Graduate Studies Council Prof. Dr. Rose Alinda binti Alias spoke with academics wishing to pursue doctorate studies at UTM as did Executive Director Prof. Dr. Mohd Hamdan bin Ahmad with  members of MSU Faculty of Architecture.

The UTM executives were treated to some unique after dinner entertainment during their visit when a king cobra show performance was specially brought to the outdoor entertainment area of the newly opened MSU staff building, much to the delight of MSU students who were in the vicinity and invited to join and watch the performance. Prof. Dr. Marzuka is to be congratulated on bravely taking a good natured dare by joining in and draping an eight foot python around himself after the performance. ...more pics

LOVE AT SARAKHAM MOVIE PREMIERE

On Thursday March 10 the general public of Mahasarakham was given the rare opportunity to rub shoulders with the stars of the movie Love at Sarakham at the premiere opening at MVP Cinema complex at Mahasarakham.

Love at Sarakham, described as a love story about teenagers and students, is centred in and around Mahasarakham University. Many of the contributing actors in the movie are local identities recognisable and identifiable with local people and their culture. The dialogue in the movie is rich in Isan dialect with subtitles in Thai for those not familiar with the north eastern Isan dialect.

There are humorous moments cleverly mixed in with in with the storyline which brought laughs from the entire audience of all ages at the premiere. There are also scenes of landscapes around Mahasarakham illustrating the natural beauty of some of the scenery to be found in north east Thailand.

Although seeing this movie through western eyes and not understanding the dialogue due to lack of Thai language skills, the editor still very much enjoyed the movie, easily recognising the ready Isan sense of humour and fun while at the same time very much enjoying seeing familiar scenery from in and around the beautiful Maha Sarakham Province. ...more pics

BAMBOO FIBRE EXPORT POSSIBILITIES

On March 9 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito, representatives of MSU’s  Northeast Institute of Arts and Culture and Silk innovation Centre welcomed Mr. Yasuo Kihira of Daiko Menka Co. Ltd. of Japan to Mahasarakham University.

After visiting the Silk Innovation Centre silk processing laboratories and the Northeast Institute of Arts Museum Mr. Kahira met with lecturers and staff of MSU Center in Collaboration with Industry (UIC) to discuss the possibilities of marketing products created from bamboo fibre  and value added silk products in Japan. The value adding to raw bamboo in the creation of bamboo fibre products is a result of research conducted at the MSU Northeastern Institute of Arts and Culture. .... more pics