MSU LIBRARY SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS

On April 25 to 28 a three day fun reading summer camp for Grade one to six students was held at MSU Academic Resource Center. The camp was part of a Royal mission which is in the third year of a decade long program to improve national literacy. Named the Bibliography Conservation Project, the camp is held and financed under the patronage of the Royal Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

The initiative is to create a love of reading in young people, to familiarise them with the benefits of developing healthy reading habits, in turn creating a life-long self learning   process.

Approximately ninety students from central Mahasarakham and Kantarawichai districts had an enjoyable three days of fun filled activities. ... more pics

PRINCE OF SONGKLA UNIVERSITY STUDY VISIT

On April 22 MSU Division of Student Affairs welcomed a study delegation from the Prince of Songkla University Phuket Campus at a reception held in the conference room of the Division of Student Affairs.

The study visit is a joint Prince of Songkla- MSU initiative to engage in the exchange of information regarding management structures of student organisations, community groups and experiences of exchange students.

An exciting aspect of the study tour is the inclusion and involvement of students and student council representatives of both institutions. The invitation and inclusion of student input shown by both MSU and Prince of Songkla Student Affairs administrators is to be applauded. It is an initiative which should help greatly in keeping the future development of student affairs, organisations and communities current and adaptable. ...more pics

MSU STUDENTS ‘GOOD AMBASSADOR THAILAND’ RUNNERS UP

On April 24 MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Sujin Butdisuwan had the pleasure of accepting an award on behalf of MSU for supporting the competition of Good Ambassador for Thailand. The acceptance of the award coincided with the final round of the competition held at the Grand Ballroom of the Crystal Centre in Bangkok.

MSU staff, students and friends were on hand to cheer on Ms. Patcharin Pohpitul and Ms. Pichayaporn Pohpitul from the Faculty of Accountancy and Management who performed with aplomb to  achieve runners up in the competition.

The Good Ambassador for Thailand is also supported by private organisations as well as the Office of Health Foundation, Ministry of Culture and the Commission for Higher Education.

The national competition gives young people the opportunity to become young ambassadors for Thailand and this year the theme speech was under the subject heading of ‘Good Words With Good Actions Are More Powerful’, referring to the future development of Thailand. ...more pics

ONE UNIVERSITY, ONE PROVINCE PROJECT AT BAN HUAY SUN

On April 19 MSU Vice President for Special Affairs Suracha Amornpan opened a community service project at Ban Huay Sun in the Kantawaricha district. The project comes under the national initiative of ‘One University, One Province’, a program aiming to create sustainable development at a community level.

The program commencing at Ban Huay Sun includes the utilisation of the transfer of academic knowledge from the MSU Faculty of Science to the grass roots level. It encourages and teaches local community members in household management revenue, organic vegetable farming and the production of charcoal briquettes.

Surplus produce will be sold at the MSU markets in an effort to increase income and alleviate debt.

The initiative is an extension of the popular and well accepted King’s sufficiency economy philosophy. More than one hundred people attended demonstrations at the event which should ensure the program gets off to a flying start. ... more pics

SONGKRAN AT MAHASARAKHAM UNIVERSITY

Songkran ceremonies and celebrations are held early at MSU as many students travel to their respective homes for the official holiday to the nineteen Isan Provinces from which MSU draws its students.

 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito led a full day of Songkran ceremonies and festivities which were celebrated on April 8. Commencing at 7 am Dr.Supachai, MSU Executives and many others visited the City Pillar and then the Buddha at the MSU Northeastern Arts and Culture centre for a bathing ceremony.

At noon there was a merit making ceremony held in the grounds of the President’s Building. which preceded a grand parade followed by a full afternoon of entertainment, festivities and competitions. There was a beauty competition, popularity competition, dancing competition and a talent quest.

It is times such as these the full kindness, joy of life and welcoming attitude of Isan people is exemplified.

For any foreigner these goings on seem all very delightful and surprising while at the same time very strange so it is natural to feel a little out of place. Isan people soon make you feel comfortable and at ease as you are gently invited to participate in all ceremonies and festivities.

You do not feel excluded in the religious merit making ceremonies. You are invited to participate and are not ridiculed if you make a faux pas. You can join in with the parade and you can join in the dancing no matter how awkward your style. Isan people, both male and female, sing and dance from the time they are born and the exuberance and pure joy of the celebration combined with the loud and lively traditional and modern Isan music make it almost impossible for one not to join in and share the wonderful feelings.

The breathtaking beauty and colour of the traditional costumes, the adrenalin of the non-stop loud music, the elegance of movement accompanied by ubiquitous smiles make the Songkran festivities an unforgettable experience. A celebration of this kind should be on everybody’s ‘Things to Experience In My Lifetime’ list. ...more pics

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

MSU DEMONSTRATION STUDENTS CROSSWORD CHAMPIONS

Students from MSU Demonstration Elementary School performed superbly at the 24^th Bilbao Grand Prix Thailand Championships. The 2011 competition was held over three days at Rattanadhibet Central Plaza Nonthanburi from April 2 – 4. The competition has  four sections;     elementary, primary and secondary school as well as open for the general public.

Participants of the Bilbao Grand Prix compete in the fields of English language (crosswords) or mathematics (Sudoko). These type of competitions are very popular amongst Thai schoolchildren and to win any section of the Bilbao Grand Prix is worthy of great pride and honor both for the student and their school.

Congratulations go to Siriwat  Suthapindhu and Patranit Prom-arak who came first and third in the Elementary boys and Girls Crossword (English vocabulary) competition. Wipawee Aumyhoo and Ngamnet Chaiwongsa also performed at their best to win the Thai Elementary Idiom Scrabble. The students were coached and supported by teachers Chaiaporn Pongpisanrat, Patraporn Karkaew and Phisit Yasingthong. ...more pics

NEW CAMBODIAN STUDENTS AT MSU

On April 2 seventy-seven students from Cambodia selected to receive a scholarship under the patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn were welcomed to Mahasarakham University in a ceremony held in the conference room of the Faculty of Engineering. The Royal project provides full term undergraduate, Master’s and Doctoral scholarships to Cambodian students.

The welcome also included a ceremony giving thanks in the offering of flowers and thanks to honour the birthday of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as well as praise for the programs HM King Bhumibol has introduced over the decades to support and develop education, improve the well being of the poor and in the preservation of Thai culture within the kingdom.

An innovative aspect of the scholarships is the introduction this year of full medical and dental health treatment. The Cambodian students will be given expert health treatment from MSU Faculty of Medicine and full dental treatment from the Royal Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University.

Students will undergo a two month preparation learning to speak, read and write Thai language and basic English as well as an introduction into Thai culture before commencing their full time studies in mainstream classes at MSU. ...more pics

‘PRAY FOR JAPAN’ PROCEEDS PRESENTED ON NATIONAL TV

On April 1 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito, his family and MSU faculty and staff members made an appearance on Thai television station Channel 3, Bangkok.

The television appearance was to personally present a cheque for sixty-nine thousand baht to aid the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The money was raised from donations and sales of Pray for Japan t-shirts by the people of Mahasarakham and Mahasarakham University.  ...more pics