MSU HOLDS HUGE NEW YEARS EVE PARTY

On December 29 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito on behalf of Mahasarakham University hosted a New Years Eve Party for all MSU personnel in the forecourt in front of the President’s building.

The celebration is traditionally held a few days before New Year so people can travel back to their homes to spend the New Year holidays with family.

The theme of the evening was ASEAN, promoting unity and the sharing of cultural heritage at all levels throughout the MSU community. A highlight of the evening was the competition for the best Assocaiation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) costume with many MSU personnel dressing up in traditional costumes of one of the ten ASEAN countries.

Dr. Supachai thanked all MSU personnel for their efforts this year and handed out new year’s gifts. Many prizes were won in the free raffle and all partook in an evening of plenty of fine food, fun and frivolity.

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MSU STRATEGIC MEETING FOR AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

On December 28 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito chaired meeting on strategic policy for fully engaging with community and agricultural agencies in the transfer of agricultural technology.

Mahasarakham University Farm and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, besides educating students, play a pivotal roles in the transference of modern agricultural technologies to the large farming communities in Maha Sarakham and surrounding Isan provinces.

Over fifty MSU staff, faculty and community leaders attended the strategic planning project meeting which included a brainstorming session on how best to create a future strategy consistent with the real needs of the community i.e. strategy into action.

The goal is to create a sustainable strategy whereby successful networking relationships are created between acadaemia, agricultural communities and agricultural agencies in research and development projects consistent with the real world needs of the agricultural community.

The strategic policy meeting was held in anticipation of the completion of the partially constructed Royal Agricultural Technology Transfer Center. The three storey laboratory and classroom building will also include an animal hospital providing clinical treatment for animals.

MSU SUCCESS AT WAPI PHATUM ISAN LONG DRUM FESTIVAL

Students from MSU College of Music Performing Arts Department have won the competition for best performance at the annual Isan Long Drum Festival held in Wapi Phatum from December 23 to 25. The successful MSU team was honoured for their win by the Governor of Mahasarakham.

The three day annual event is held in the district of Wapi Phatum , located about forty kilometres from Mahasarkham. The event is well known to Thai people and each year long drum bands travel from all over Isan to attend and compete.

A long drum performance is not confined only to a performance featuring the traditional Isan long drums. It also includes traditional Isan dancers. A long drum troupe can have few or many performers. There is really no limit to the numbers. Performers at the Isan Long Drum Festival are from Isan Universities, High Schools and even from members of the general population of a village.

A feature of this festival, as is similar to many other Isan festival events, is the parade of performers before meeting together at the ground on which they will perform. From the smallest villages to the largest towns, performers will start from a point some kilometres away and walk, dance, perform and generally have a fun time while parading through the village streets to where the actual event will be held. Everybody in the streets along the way turn out to watch and/or join in for a little while.

The best part is everybody is free to join in. One can walk along with the parade, join with the dancing or just sit and watch the colourful, loud and joyous procession pass by.

Isan people just enjoy enjoying themselves and are willing to share their happiness with visitors following the parade. If you are a tourist with a camera you receive many invitations to join in with the fun in the parade or to stop and snack with people sitting watching the parade pass. It leads to much local fun and frivolity when a foreigner stops for a quick bite of som tam (spicy papaya salad) and some sticky rice.

In typical Isan hospitality style it is your choice whether you dance, eat, sit and watch or even find a shady spot somewhere for a quick catnap... and this is just for the parade which may be likened to a warm up event before the serious enjoyment of watching the long drum performances at the main venue. Even though this parade passed mainly through the main streets of Nong Saeng, the hospitality is the same as in any small Isan village when a festival parade is held.

Hospitality and welcoming is not confined solely to Isan culture, but when combined with the excitement and liveliness of Isan music and dance in a traditional parade, makes for a truly unique Isan cultural experience. Unfortunately many tourists visiting Thailand miss out because they do avail themselves of the opportunity to travel to the north east and experience the wonders of traditional Isan culture.

Congratulations to the successful long drum performers from MSU with special thanks to MSU College of Music Performing Arts teachers Mr. Sarawut Chotijamrat and Mr. Kedsiri Noknoi for their hard work in preparing the MSU performers. We look forward to seeing you defend your title in twelve months time.

MAHASARAKHAM UNIVERSITY GRADUATION DAY 2011

On December 21 Mahasarakham University held its annual graduation day ceremony. It is estimated close to one hundred thousand people were on and around MSU’s Khamriang campus during the day. An influx in numbers of people was noticeable in Mahasarakham as early as the weekend before the Wednesday of the 21^st. 

Graduation Day is a very important event for the many friends and relatives of the graduating student.

It is not uncommon for graduates to have ten or more well wishers make the journey from their homes in one of the twenty provinces in north east Thailand to join in the celebrations. The added bonus of catching a glimpse and paying homage to the much loved Princess Sirindhorn makes the journey all that much more worthwhile.

The highlight of the day is naturally the graduation ceremony where graduates are personally presented their respective degrees by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. 

Over eight thousand graduates are presented with their degrees on the day over a morning and afternoon session as the five thousand seat MSU gymnasium is not big enough to accommodate them all in one session.

Outside the gymnasium and spreading out across the campus are family, close relatives, friends and fellow students relaxing in a picnic atmosphere. Photographs are taken in their millions with many background spaces set up especially for photos. All MSU faculties also have backgrounds of various types set up at which the precious memories of the day can be recorded.

Mahasarakham University heartily congratulates all those graduates receiving their degrees on December 21. We are also very grateful for Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn to have come to attend the ceremony and give us all the opportunity to pay homage to our beloved Royal Patron and King’s representative to Mahasarakham University.

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HRH PRINCESS SIRINDHORN OPENS MSU BUSINESS SCHOOL BUILDING

On December 21 Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn officially opened the new Mahasarakham University Business School (MBS) building which has been named the Sirindhorn Administration Building in Her honour.

The Mahasarakham University Business School (MBS) is now officially the name of what was previously known as the Faculty of Accountancy and Management. It is under the gracious patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn who, besides officially opening the building also planted a tree in honour of Her Father, His Royal Highness King Bhumibol.

Dean of the Mahasarakham Business School Associate Professor Dr. Phapruke Ussahawanitchakit gave the opening address to HRH Princes Sirindhorn, the Board of Accountancy and Management and official guests.

The new MBS building has eleven floors and covers over nine thousand square metres of floor space. Besides housing the internationally recognised Mahasarakham University Business School, the building will also provide for undergraduate and graduate research, community services, administrative staff, exhibitions etc.

The new Sirindhorn Administration Building will now become the centre for learning, education and technology for international standard business administration at Mahasarakham University.

The MBS already provides business administration courses of international standard through its popular International Business Management Bachelor Degree course taught in English.  

FULL DRESS REHEARSAL FOR MSU GRADUATION DAY

Today Mahasarakham University is holding a full dress rehearsal for Graduation Day 2011 which is to be held on December 21 at the gymnasium on the new campus at Khamriang.

Graduates in full graduation regalia, students, parents, relatives and friends have all turned out in force on a beautiful clear winter’s day to attend the rehearsal.

The road leading to the new campus is lined with red, white and blue Thai national flags, yellow flags bearing HM the King’s emblem and purple flags bearing the emblem of  the much respected and loved Princess Sirindhorn, Royal Patron and the King’s representative for Mahasarakham University.

Also lining the streets leading to the campus are stalls set up selling graduation day gifts. The streets are alive with colour, cars and motorcycles, students and others alike.  The roads leading to the Khamring campus are in pristine condition, having been swept and manicured over the last week in honour of the King and in preparation for the visit on December 21 of HRH Princess SIrindhorn.

The area around the gymnasium is a hive of activity and one could be forgiven for mistaking it as actually being graduation day. Throngs of ‘almost’ graduates in their colourful academic gowns make the brightly coloured garden beds pale into insignificance. There are graduates weighed down with gifts being filmed, photographed and applauded by family fellow students everywhere. Meanwhile the gymnasium is filled to capacity with graduates seated for a full dress rehearsal of Wednesday’s ceremony.

The annual graduation ceremony at Mahasarakham University is one of many similar held at all universities throughout Thailand. It is a spectacular event at which one cannot help the feelings of pride shared by all in the achievements of the graduates. One thing is for sure; it will all be worth the effort when a lifelong memory is created for every single MSU graduate when they receive their degree; handed to them in person by the gracious, benevolent and much loved Princess Sirindhorn in two days time.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MSU STUDENTS WHO WILL RECEIVE THEIR DEGREES ON WEDNESDAY!!!!

We are all very proud of you and wish you all the very best now and in the future.

For those who will be in Mahasarakham on Wednesday, December 21 it would be worth your while to make the journey to the new campus at Khamriang to join in the festivities of congratulating the latest MSU graduates. All welcome!

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CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS AT MSU

On December 16 the Confucius Institute held the fifth anniversary of its establishment at Mahasarakham University.

MSU President, Dr.  Supachai Samappito chaired the opening ceremony which was attended by many MSU Executive staff, Faculty Deans, students and staff.

The Confucius Institute is designated as part of MSU Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences with Faculty Dean and Director of the institute Dr. Somkiet Poopatwiboon giving the opening address.

Special guests, students and staff were treated to an exhibition of traditional Chinese music, song and dance during the celebrations.

The Confucius Institute at MSU may be described as a satellite institute of Guangxi University for Nationalities of the People’s Republic of China. It provides not only for MSU students but also for those interested in learning Chinese for communicative or business purposes within the local community and other provinces.

The Confucius Institutes offers Chinese language and culture courses, cultural exchange programs, calligraphy, Chinese song, dance and music. The institute also trains instructors in Chinese and provides information and consultation regarding Chinese education.

Many volunteer teachers from China come to Mahasarakham and surrounding provinces where Chinese language and culture is taught to over four thousand secondary and primary school students in Mahasarakham and surrounding provinces.

Visitors to MSU and Mahasarakham are welcome to visit the recently opened Confucius Cultural Experience Centre located on the old campus in downtown Mahasarakham. 

MSU BIG CLEANING DAY IN HONOUR OF H.M. KING BHUMIBOL

On December 13 the MSU Big Cleaning Day in honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol was held. More than three hundred people met on the lawn in front of the MSU condos before heading out to give the university campus a Big Clean. Trees were pruned, gardens were weeded, streets were swept and rubbish picked up on and around streets in and leading to the campus.

The event was opened by MSU Vice President for General Management Dr. Piyapun Santaveesuk. The Big Cleaning Day gives students, faculty and staff members an opportunity to pay homage to His Majesty King Bhumibol. It is also an opportunity for participants to get to know each other and to create solidarity within the Mahasarakham University community. The results of the Big Cleaning Day are now on show all around MSU campus.

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MSU 44TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS DECEMBER 1 – 9

 Mahasarakham University celebrated its 44^th Anniversary from December 1^st to the 9^th. MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito and Vice President for Special Affairs Dr. Suracha Amornpan gave the opening addresses at the opening ceremony. MSU held nine days of celebrations with the main road into the Khamriang campus closed nightly.





Faculties set up stalls along the road and a party atmosphere was present every night with thousands of students coming to shop, watch the nightly talent shows or concerts and generally get together to have a good time.

Many, many events were held on campus including Buddhist ceremonies, theatre, talent shows, sports demonstrations.

On December 9 the closing ceremony was held with an awards ceremony and talent quest winners performing.

The fireworks displays for both the opening and closing ceremonies were spectacular. The closing ceremony stood out as something special with many people floating khomb, making for spectacular scenery adding to the bright lights and activity centred around the area of the President’s building on the closing night.

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MSU CREATIVE ARTS EXHIBITION

On December 8 an art exhibition of contemporary art was held at the MSU Jampasri Art Gallery. On display were works by students from the Creative Arts Department of MSU Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning and Creative Arts.

Fifty works of art were on display. The exhibition is helps to stimulate support and development of young MSU creative artists.

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MSU BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ

Everybody at Mahasarakham University is today sending their best wishes and celebrating the 84th birthday of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (meaning Strength of the Land, Incomparable Power).
HM King Bhumibol is the world's longest reigning monarch, having been King of Thailand since 1946. Admired and respected throughout the world, the ninth Rama King of the Chakri dynasty has made it his life's work to serve his loyal Thai subjects.
HM King Bhumibol is involved in Royal projects the length and breadth of Thailand. The list of His projects is too long to mention here although His philosophy of sufficiency economy which has been embraced by the Thai people is particularly worthy of note.
Portraits of the King adorn homes, offices and public places all over the Kingdom of Thailand.
The King's birthday is also designated as Father's Day in the Kingdom.
It is difficult to put into words the respect and reverence in which King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej is held in Thailand, and indeed all over the world so we will not try, except to say;

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOUR MAJESTY FROM EVERYONE AT MAHASARAKHAM UNIVERSITY

LONG LIVE THE KING  

MSU INTERNATIONAL DINNER PARTY

On December 2 MSU Vice President for Planning and International Relations Dr. Nathanon Trachoo hosted the 4^th MSU International Dinner Party at the MSU Staff Clubhouse.

The International Dinner is an annual event to thank all the international teachers for their efforts during the year. MSU has international teachers, researchers and visiting academics from countries all over the world. Over a hundred people attended the event and all stood up and introduced themselves during the evening.

MC for the evening Ms. Shaundrelle Todd of the Faculty of Humanites and Social Sciences brightened up the evening with her lively commentary, possibly becoming an overnight MSU celebrity. Ms. Todd was ably assisted by the popular Dr. Nicolas from the College of Music.

An exhibition of traditional Indian dance called Katak performed by Ms Punima was well received with guests later trying their hand at learning Indian and Isan dance.

It was fun night with acquaintances being re-established and many new ones made. Something a little different about this year’s dinner was the increasing number of families present. It seems to indicate international teachers are coming to Mahasarakham with a good number willing to make Mahasarakham their home on a long term basis.

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