MSU INFORMATICS STUDENTS WIN TAT DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

On September 28 two teams of journalism students from MSU Faculty of Informatics Department of Mass Communication received awards for five minute documentaries in a contest organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The theme for the contest entries was based on an initiative by the TAT to promote a new attitude within the tourist industry through the promotion of cultural tourism.

The first prize of fifty thousand baht was awarded to the MSU team for their five minute short film Human and Elephant (apologies if the translation is incorrect) who entered the contest under the production pseudonym Dog Films. An honourable mention for MSU’s BBFM team gained them a five thousand baht prize.

COLLEGE OF MUSIC CELEBRATES THIRD ANNIVERSARY

On September 26 the Dean of MSU College of Music Associate Professor Dr. Supunnee Leauboonshoo welcomed MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito to join in celebrating the third anniversary of the establishment of the College of Music.

Celebrations included dedications to his Royal Highness King Bhumibol upcoming birthday on December 5, blessings from the monks, student performances and the awarding of certificates to students.

Previously part of the Faculty of Fine Arts and recognized for its efficiency in producing graduates with expertise in modern and folk music, the College of Music became an independent faculty three years ago. The college now offers undergraduate, masters and PhD  program in musical art. The college also operates a pre-university program equivalent to an upper secondary school level as a choice for high school students wishing to specialize in musical art.

MSU College of Music plays an important part in the preservation of traditional Isan music and dance with its talented students involved in performance at almost every single celebration or event held at MSU or indeed around the Mahasarakham Province.

FACULTY OF VET SCIENCE AT 15TH ESDAR CONFERENCE IN TURKEY

In late September members of MSU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, led by Acting Dean Dr. Dr. Sukanya Leethongdee  attended the 15^th ESDAR (European Society for Domestic Animal Reproduction) Conference held in Antalya, Turkey. Six faculty members presented papers at the conference covering the subject matter of Thai goats and local fisheries. The papers have been published in the  journal Reproduction in Domestic Animals.

Researchers from around the world attended the conference. MSU Faulty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science has gradually gained recognition as a research faculty well worthy of international standards.

COMPUTER CENTER - ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE COMPUTING SEMINAR

On September 19 MSU Computer Centre held a seminar and brainstorming session entitled Academic Performance Computing Projects for Mahasarakham University computer personnel.  In the morning MSU Vice President for Planning and International Relations Dr. Nathanon Trachoo presented a lecture on ‘Planning Information and Communication Technology Policy’ and Executive Director of the Computer Centre Mr. Thawatwong Lawan presented on the ‘Advancement Of Academic Computing and Best Practice In Application Development’.

Eighty five MSU computer personnel attended the seminar which included addressing information technology policy, understanding the university network, the Computer Crimes Act and exchanging technical information with agencies and organisations.

The afternoon brainstorming session was divided into three groups concentrating on internet network administration and cataloguing, the development of information systems and websites and thirdly computer services in general. The brainstorming sessions involved scope of work and responsibilities, problems encountered therein and solutions, approaches to measure and evaluate core competencies and frameworks for guidelines and assessments.

TECHNICAL CO-OPERATIONS WITH UNIVERSITY OF TSUKUBA

On September 16 MSU President Dr.  Supachai Samappito and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Pradit Terdtoon welcomed a delegation from Tsukuba University, Japan.  The honoured visitors, led by Dr. Akhiro, attended a meeting to discuss extending collaborations under the MOU between the two institutions which has been in place since May last year.

The University of Tsukuba was the first comprehensive Japanese University to be included in a country wide university reform plan featuring openness and incorporating new systems for education and research. Tsukuba University has undergone massive restructuring over the last ten years becoming a National University Corporation in 2004. Boasting the highest number of International students in Japan at just under seventeen hundred, Tsukuba University is at the core of scientific research institutes of Tsukuba Science City.  

SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY MODEL PROJECT AWARDS AT KANTARAWICHAI

On September 14 an award ceremony honouring five villages who have successfully implemented a village based model of sufficiency economy was held at Kantarawichai City Hall.

Deputy Governor of Mahasarakham Mr. Sutthinan Boonmee, MSU Vice President for Personnel Development and University Council Affairs Associate Professor Dr. Thiensak Mekkapan-opas and head of the Sufficiency Economy Project Model Assistant Professor Dr. Cheerasak Charoenpan from MSU Faculty of Public Health were present at the ceremony.

The Sufficiency Economy Model Project has been developed by Mahasarakham University. It is a village model based on the underlying concept of King Bhumibol’s sufficiency economy philosophy and contains three phases spread over three years.

The first phase introduced by the working group two years ago focused on the development of partnerships and networks between the five villages to gain rapport and provide network administration.

The second phase introduced last year focused on the development of a sustainable society through strategic planning to strengthen the communities as a whole.

The third phase focuses on strengthening and developing various groups within the community.

Emphasised through all stages of the project are learning efforts, participation and co operation leading to self reliance and the production of a stronger, more efficient  community in turn increasing revenue and savings while using less resources and unnecessary expenditure.

Evaluation results showed strong community participation, an eighty five percent satisfaction level in management of the community with increases in revenue and career paths. There are now learning centres set up in each of the five villages which can provide the tools for individual households to adopt the sufficiency economy model.

These villages are now positioned as prototypes based on the concept of the sufficiency economy philosophy and are ready to become centres of learning and experience for surrounding communities.

More pics here

MSU PRIMARY SCHOOL - GOING STRONG, BEING CREATIVE

On September 10 a large contingent of parents, teachers and students from MSU Demonstration Primary School travelled to Central Plaza shopping center in Khon Khaen where the students competed in futsal and tug of war competitions.

Tug of war competitions are immensely popular in Thailand and can be classed as a showcase event at all and any sports days held, whether at kindergarten level, between faculties at colleges or universities or even at veteran age competitions. They inevitably draw a large crowd and in true Thai style the spirit of the competitors enjoying themselves overshadows who wins and who loses the event.

Still, we must give credit where credit is due. MSU Primary School kindergarten tug of war team successfully defended their champions title won the previous year and should be justifiably proud of their efforts.

On September 13 Director of Mahasarakham Primary School, Associate Professor Dr. Maliwan, presented the winning kindergarten tug of war champions to guests at the opening of an exhibition showing early academic works of students from the school.

The two day exhibition was to show works created by young students not only of paintings but also artwork, objects and toys created from natural materials. The concept of the exhibition is to illustrate to parents and others the abilities of the youngsters to be creative and inventive in their work at an early age.

Students also partook in cooking and baking classes on the first day of the exhibition. The primary school student’s projects and creations aims to encourage positive social, intellectual and emotional development from an early age.

HISTORICAL PRINTS OF RAMA KINGS ON DISPLAY AT MSU JAMPASRI ART GALLERY

On September 13 the Deputy Governor of Mahasarakham had the honour of opening an exhibition of thirty-five historical prints pictorially detailing the history of all nine Rama Kings of Thailand’s Chakri dynasty.

The exhibition, in honour of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s eighty-fourth birthday in December this year, is on display at the MSU Jampasri Art Gallery.

 

The exhibition has been facilitated through the Department of Graphic Arts form MSU Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts who reproduced the prints. The prints are reproductions of the work of twenty three prominent national Thai artists.

The exhibition is open from September 13 until October 12 at the Jampasri Art Gallery located on the first floor of the Computer Center. (Building 11 on the Khamriang Campus Map )

MSU CONFERENCE ON STUDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Between September 9 and 11 Mahasarakham University Division of Student Affairs in collaboration with MSU Student Development Office held a three day seminar and conference pertaining to the future organisation and development of MSU Student organisations at the Golden Gold Resort and Spa in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat).

MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito presided over the opening of the Student Leadership Development Conference at which reports of the previous year’s student organisation’s activities were provided, budgets reported and allocations given.

 Mahasarakham University believes it is good corporate management to engage with and include student representatives of their respective organisations in the process. The conference aims to discuss, develop and share in knowledge to provide the best and most equitable outcomes for the future needs of MSU students.

This attitude of sharing knowledge cultivates leadership, good organisation and planning for future student projects from within student organisations. MSU student organisations are very community minded and projects designed for the improved education, knowledge sharing and benefit of the general Isan community are evident in most programs MSU student organisations plan and execute. Too many to name individually, faculty or student organisations provide benefit to many different parts of Isan. It is also evident in many programs the students are very aware and mindful of the promotion and development of   HM King Bhumibol’s self sufficiency economy model.

The inclusiveness shown by Mahasarakham University through planning and sharing of knowledge at the all the way from the President through to the student base illustrates the strength of community awareness within MSU management. This inclusiveness will no doubt be passed on to the outside general community through the future deeds of the student organisations. It is from seminars such as this a successful future for both Mahasarakham University and the general population can be assured.

MSU CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE OPENS NEW CHINESE CULTURE EXPERIENCE CENTER

On September 12 MSU Confucius Institute held the official opening of its new Chinese Culture Experiencing Center. Confucius Institute Director Mr Lin Hayoe (pictured left) was on hand to personally welcome every guest to the event which auspiciously coincided with traditional Chinese Mid Autumn Festival celebrations.

The Chinese Culture Experience Center is located in the Confucius Institute building in MSU downtown campus.

Although not a large exhibition, the center contains an array of examples of Chinese cultural items exhibited in an atmosphere which is purely Chinese; a little piece of China in the middle of Mahasarakham, if you will.

Besides the immaculately presented static exhibits there is also a wall of large interactive touch screens providing a huge amount of information on China. It is felt these screens will be a huge hit with visiting schoolchildren (of all ages).

After the speeches and tour of the exhibition guests were treated to a Mid Autumn Festival Eve Party stage show which included traditional Chinese dance blended with a mixture of modern song and dance.

Invited guests were also presented with Chinese moon cakes which are traditionally presented to friends during the mid autumn festival. 

There is a Chinese folk tale which entails the overthrow of Mongol rule ending the Yuan Dynasty in China in the mid 14^th Century. Ming revolutionaries spread a rumour of a deadly plague spreading - the only method of prevention being to eat special moon cakes (apparently Mongols did not eat moon cakes). Therefore moon cakes became a very popular food item. The catch was Ming revolutionaries were sending secret messages inside the moon cakes to coordinate the Han Chinese revolt which is fabled to have occurred on mid autumn, the 15^th day of the eighth lunar month.
The mid autumn festival is sometimes referred to as the Mooncake Festival.

Visitors are welcome to visit the Chinese Cultural Experience Center although it would be best to contact the MSU Confucius Center first (Phone: (66) 0- 4374-2824 or email: Mahakongzi@hotmail.com).
For visitors there is also beautiful small shaded park just outside the Confucius Center and a canteen located fifty metres away. A wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon.

MSU STUDENTS CARVE THEIR WAY TO AN HONOURABLE MENTION

MSU students from the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality travelled to the Mercure Hotel in Bangkok on September 9 to compete in the national competition for the Queen’s Cup in fruit and vegetable carving

Fruit and vegetable carving skills can be described as almost a compulsory requirement in today’s competitive hospitality industry. How many of us have admired (perhaps with a little jealousy) the skills required to provide a beautifully carved accompaniment to a meal.

The seven member team representing MSU were one of twenty four teams competing to create a piece themed and in honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol in his eighty fourth year. For the casual observer it seems amazing such wonderful imaginative works can be hand made using only fruit, vegetables, banana leaves and flowers.

Dean of MSU Tourism and Hospitality Faculty Dr. Surachet Chettamart can be justifiably proud of the honourable mention gained by the team in a top quality national competition.

More pics on Facebook

AMERICAN (CULTURE) CORNER TO BE ESTABLISHED AT MSU

On September 9 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito welcomed expert consultant from the Embassy of the United States Ms. Wendy Simmons to discuss plans regarding the setting up of an American (Culture) Corner at MSU.

Vice President for Planning and International Relations Dr. Nathanon Trachoo and Professors from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences were in attendance to listen to Ms Simmons and her team outline plans for the establishment of the center.

Ms. Simmons has overseen the successful setting up of similar centers in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore. It is expected the multi media centers will become very popular with students from MSU.

KOREAN CULTURE STUDIES STUDENTS PROMOTE THEIR ART

On September 2 MSU students from the Korean Studies Center gave a performance of Korean drama at the MSU amphitheatre to share and promote their interest in Korean Studies. MSU students and the general public braved the damp conditions to witness a colourful and dynamic stage show of traditional Korean dance and drama.

Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Somkiet Poopatwiboon, addressed the students and guests on the benefits of studying Korean language and culture. The thought of studying in Korea is very popular amongst many MSU students, as is Korean fashion, music and television shows.

The Korean Studies Center at MSU is under the direction of Dr. Kanokkun Maviang  and is a branch of the Department of Thai and Oriental Languages, in turn under the umbrella of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.  The course educates students with subject matter including everyday Korean language, Korean culture, food, music, drama and fine arts.

MSU Korean Studies Center students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Korean culture through the study and performance of Korean drama. They also have the opportunity to travel to Korea and partake in MSU’s Overseas Experience program which is in collaboration with Sangmyung University in Seoul.

More photos of the event here.  

MAHASARAKHAM CREATIVE ECONOMY MODEL PROJECT LAUNCHED

On September 1 a three day exhibition and launch of the Ten Cities Creative Economy Model Project for Maha Sarakham was launched at MSU Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning.

The launch was attended by MSU President Dr. Supachai Sammapito, Vice President for Special Affairs Dr. Dr. Surachai Amornpan, the Governor of Maha Sarakham Province and representatives of the Ministry of Commerce and Department of Intellectual Property. Mahasarakham was listed last May as one of the top ten creative cities in Thailand and this project should ensure this does not change.

The project will be developed under three sections. Firstly through the provision of knowledge, technology  and creative education provided by Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham Rajabat University, MSU College of Nursing, Faculty of Agriculture (and others) , Mahasarakham College of Physical Education and Mahasarakham Technical College.

Secondly the development of human capital with an estimated one hundred thousand members of the community being provided with access to highly qualified experts, students and scholars  for self research and learning.

Thirdly, with the community mostly farm based and earning extra income from handicrafts, the project will endeavour to give the local community a sense of cultural identity. Self pride in local community and the development and understanding of a unique cultural identity is a key to successful building of human capital.

The project is supported at all levels of government, educational institutions in Maha Sarakham Province, NGO’s and local businesses alike. It will build and develop on the strengths of local geographical, social, cultural and economic wisdom.

The three day exhibition held from September 1 – 3 at MSU Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning showcased handicrafts and value added products from the Top Ten Creative Cities as well as having local community members demonstrating handicrafts.

Footnote:

 Many overseas visitors to Mahasarakham are unaware they can visit local villages and watch local artisans at work making such things as fine Thai silk, all types of reed mats,  pottery and souvenir items and to name just a few. The experience of having a photo taken with the person who actually made your ‘souvenir’ gives the item much more personal meaning than if bought at a market. 

The city of Mahasarakham is spelled as one word. The Province of Maha Sarakham is spelled as two words.

MSU PRESIDENT DR. SUPACHAI ACCEPTS PRESTIGIOUS GOLDEN BELL AWARD

On August 22 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito was honoured to receive a Golden Bell at the 4^th Annual Golden Bell awards ceremony held in Phayathai, Bangkok on the third floor of the Public Relations Division of Thailand. The awards are presented to government officials and/or organisations and presented by the President of the Privy Council as the King’s Person of the Year Awards in honour of H.M. King Bhumibol.

Golden Bell Awards are organised by the National General Assembly of Thai television, news and newspapers. The awards recognise the impact and influence modern media can have on society and are given to those who have shown professional ethics and responsibility to the members of their society receiving the messages broadcast by the media. They acknowledge the speed with which modern news can be broadcast and as stakeholders in these fields have created policies, productions or overseen various media for the educational and social benefit of their audience. The awards cover such fields as education, entertainment, sports, the environment and politics.

Mahasarakham University has both a radio and television station which are very active in broadcasting in Maha Sarakham Province as well as reaching provinces outside Mahasarakham. MSU radio and television stations provide a mix of entertainment not necessarily confined to purely educational matters. Dr. Supachai, as MSU President, takes a keen interest in the development and direction of MSU’s broadcasting networks. Dr. Supachai’s Golden Bell was awarded in the field of a government officer who has contributed greatly to the benefit of society as whole.

This year one hundred and sixty-four Golden Bells were awarded over fifteen categories.

More pictures of the awards ceremony can be found on the MSU Hall of Fame web page and also in the Mahasarakham University Fan Page (Thai) photo album.