VISITORS WELCOME TO JEWELS OF THE SEA EXHIBITION AT MSU

An exhibition entitled Jewels of the Sea was opened at the MSU Science Museum, Faculty of Science on March 2^nd by MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito. The exhibition is a collaboration between MSU Faculty of Science and the National Science Museum of Thailand.

The exhibition marked the signing of technical collaborative agreements between MSU and the National Science Museum for human resource development in the fields of survey research, learning development , resources and management.

The agreement includes the promotion of academic knowledge through recognising the importance of publication and networking in transferring knowledge.

A most interesting facet of the agreement is to exchange exhibitions on a yearly basis with the Jewels of the Sea currently exchanged with the Dinosaur Skeleton exhibition.

The Jewels of the Sea exhibition is currently available for viewing during office hours at the MSU Science Museum, Faculty of Science. ....more pics

MSU COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Many faculties and divisions at Mahasarakham University are very actively involved with local communities. It is a firm policy of MSU to create an atmosphere of community involvement whether it is through bringing education to farmers or local businesses, offering the services of the faculty/division to help provide solutions for improvements or simply having students go out to a school or community site to clean up, paint or beautify an area through tree planting.

Many of these smaller, and not so small projects, which create engagement between local communities and Mahasarakham University go un-noticed and/or un-reported.

This is typical of the Isaan culture whereby all members of a community pitch in to help each other out without   expectation of self recognition or gain in return. Of course, in Isaan the wheel turns and the help will be returned, albeit not immediately nor directly.

If you spend time in north east Thailand you cannot help but notice this strength of community through common spirit of each helping the other.

It can be argued the MSU policy of involvement in community is not due to any PC directive, it is simply a natural extension of the Isaan culture and way of life.

Below are just two examples of the links being forged between MSU and local communities. 

Firstly, on June 18 MSU Faculty of Education students travelled to Nong Kham District in nearby Kantarawichai to brighten up one of the schools. Walls and fences were painted, rubbish was cleared, grass was cut and a general cleanup all round. Students and the general public from the village also got involved.

Secondly, on June 26 at Tha Khon Yang, also in the Kantarawichai District, a community workshop was held for students to meet with community leaders, the local school Director and the general public.

Organised through the office of MSU Division of Student Affairs Vice President Dr Sujin Butdisuwan and accompanied by MSU students, the workshop provides for a future where MSU students will work together with the local school and community to provide active community service and environmental development. On this visit eighty-four trees were planted to honour HM King Bhumibol.

Students also walked through the village speaking with local residents to raise awareness of the need for communities to combat mosquito larvae breeding.

As is usual at most Isaan gatherings, there was a traditional music and dance performance. 

15TH GENERAL EDUCATION FAIR

On June 23 to 24 MSU Department of Education representatives participated in the 15^th Annual General Education Exhibition at Ubon Ratchathani University.

The Education Exhibition provides an opportunity for high school students to gather information about undergraduate studies from many different institutions. Mahasarakham University’s exhibition proved to be a popular site with recreational activities, games, giveaways and prizes on offer.

 Students and teachers were on hand throughout to offer advice and information to prospective students.

The large exhibition attracted participating educational institutions from throughout Thailand.

BEAUTY AND SKIN | PATTAYA MAIL

Mahasarakham University’s forward-looking president, Asst Prof Supachai Samappito, records that “Usually, you elevate silkworms in ‘Jor’, as the large, round, prosaic bamboo trays are called in Thai, and the small creatures turn their cocoons in them. Researchers after that detected that if the silkworms are placed on  ....... full story on this link  Beauty And Skin | Pattaya Mail

FRESHY DAY AND FRESHY NIGHT 2011

On June 25 the culmination of orientation proceedings for freshmen and women at Mahasarakham University was celebrated with Freshy Day and Freshy Night.

Fun events were held at many faculties all over the campus and when night came all gathered together in the MSU gymnasium for a gala evening which included an address by MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito, traditional music and dance performances, joint games and activities and the much awaited selection of male and female Freshy of 2011.

 In his address Dr. Supachai told students to have pride in their identity, not only as students of MSU but also within themselves; to make sure they are mindful of cultural values and community and not to fear expressing themselves in a creative way with their contemporary senior staff and students. He also asked students to be aware there are many activities available on campus in which they can participate to relieve the stress from studying.  

As with many functions held at MSU, the glitz, glamour and quality of the entertainment on the night would rival any seen in Las Vegas

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RICE HARVESTING DEMONSTRATION

On June 14 MSU Vice President for Special Affairs Dr. Surachai Amornpan joined the Governor of Mahasarakham Province in a rice harvesting demonstration which was organised by the Office of Agriculture.

The rice harvesting demonstration was held to strengthen ties between government, education and community. The demonstration included traditional rice harvesting, tossing the rice to separate the grain and spreading of the grain to dry in the sun.

An interesting aspect of demonstrations such as these is the officials from government or education normally tend to participate as opposed to being spectators of the event. This firmly illustrates the Isan sense of inclusive community values where everybody is a part of the community and all contribute to the best of their ability.

Even though machinery is being introduced these traditional methods of harvesting rice can still be seen when travelling throughout the Isan provinces. ... more pics

MSU DEMONSTRATION SCHOOLS ART AWARDS

MSU Primary and Secondary Demonstration Schools have between them won six awards in an art competition run at Silpakorn University Art Gallery in Bangkok to honour the occasion of the eighty-fourth birthday anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol.

The art competition is run by the Silpakorn University of Fine Arts in collaboration with the PTT Public Company Ltd to encourage creativity in artists of all ages for the continuing development contemporary art in Thailand.

The competition was divided into four categories: painting, sculpture, prints and other visual art. Age groups were under 9, 9 to 13 and 14 to 17. Entries were judged on May 28 and the awards presentation held on June 9.

Mahasarakham University Primary and Secondary schools six awards included two prizes, one award for excellence, one for outstanding work plus two honourable mentions.

The works will be on display at Silpakorn University Art Gallery until July 29. The exhibition will then travel to Thaksin University, Khon Kaen University and Chiang Mai. ... more pics

MSU WELCOMES NEW INTAKE OF FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

Mahasarakham University buzzes with activity for the first two weeks of June. Mahasarakham University now has students coming to attend from twenty provinces in north east Thailand with a large percentage of them living away from home in student accommodation both on and off campus around Mahasarakham.

The first week of June is the time when new students are welcomed to MSU before getting down to serious study. Many events are held to both welcome and orientate the new students towards settling in to university life.

One such event is the rice offering parade and ceremony. The event was held on June 6 this year, presided over by MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito with a full compliment of MSU Vice Presidents and Deans on hand as well as  thousands of MSU first year students or ‘freshies’ as they are colloquially known.

The rice offering ceremony is a traditional ceremony including a blessing for the students, traditional Isan dance and music and the ceremonial tying of a piece of string around the wrist of the students (and Ajarns). Nobody is too old to learn.

Dr. Supachai gave a welcoming address to the new students remarking on the fact they are attending a university intent on producing quality graduates competitive at both national and international levels while at the same time being mindful towards the conservation and sustainability of local history, traditions and culture. ... more pics

NEW MSU POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

On June 4 Dr. Supachai Samappito presided over an orientation session for future MSU post graduate students held in the expansive MSU Gymnasium. Almost three thousand post grad and doctorate students will be commencing studies at MSU in the forthcoming semester.

The orientation was to welcome the students and to provide important information regarding guidelines on enrolment fee structure and regulations regarding post grad studies.

Representatives of MSU Faculties, Research Divisions and Institutes as well as enrolment personnel were on hand to give individual advice and direction to the new post grad students.

We wish all the post grad students the best of luck with their continuing epistemological endeavours at MSU.    ... more pics

MSU SECONDARY WAI KRU CEREMONY

Mahasarakham University Demonstration Secondary School held a Wai Kru ceremony in the school’s Centredome building on June 2.

The ceremony is one you will see repeated at all levels of educational institutions throughout Thailand. Wai Kru is regarded as a traditional sacred ceremony where students pay respect to their teachers for their dedication in educating younger people. The students are regarded as seedlings and it is the sacred responsibility of the teacher or Ajarn to nurture the student in a similar way to nurturing a seedling so the students grow strong intellectually. During the ceremony a piece of string is tied around the wrist of the students by one or more of the students’ Ajarn which is a reminder to all of a mutual connection and respect.

The responsibilities of an Ajarn go much further in Thai culture than simply ‘teaching’. It also includes moral learning, teaching values towards others and the community in general. The ceremony is treated with great respect but there are also light hearted moments which help in the development of close bonds between students and their educators. ... more pics