MSU HOSTS NATIONAL UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On October 15 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito had the pleasure of welcoming fellow Presidents of Thai Universities to the University President’s Annual General Meeting held in the conference room of Mahasarakham University President’s Building.

The Minister for Education, The Honourable Woravat Auapinyakul (pictured right) gave the opening address entitled ‘Policies of Higher Education.’

Key points under consideration at the meeting included discussion on future policy developments, preparations for 2015 and international education with other ASEAN tertiary institutions and meeting the needs of the market place through human resources development.

MSU HONOURED TO HOST REPUBLIC OF KOREA EMBASSY OFFICIALS

On July 27 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito and Vice President for Planning and International Relations Dr. Nathanon Trachoo welcomed representatives of the Bangkok Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

Charge d'affaires Embassy Minister Mr. Park Wom-sup and Counsellor Mr. Kwon Sun-chil paid a courtesy call to MSU and had discussions over educational matters during a luncheon held in their honour at the MSU Staff Club building.

MSU pro-actively engages in educational collaboration with ASEAN nations and are honoured to host such distinguished guests. Mahasarakham University has many students enrolled in its Korean Studies Center where they gain Korean language and culture skills. 

CAMBODIAN STUDENTS PREPARED FOR UNIVERSITY LIFE

On May 21, MSU Vice President for Planning and International Relations, Dr. Nathanon Trachoo presented certificates to forty seven Cambodian students for successfully completing a preliminary English course before  commencing their studies at MSU. The students are on full time scholarships under a program provided by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Besides learning English listening, speaking, reading and writing skills the students were also given tuition in adapting to Thai culture and language and living skills to make their transition into mainstream student life at Mahasarakham University as enjoyable an experience as possible.  ...more pics

O.E. PROGRAM STUDENTS BOUND FOR UTM MALAYSIA

On May 15 twenty students and two staff members became the first participants in the innovative Mahasarakham University OE (Overseas Experience) Program.

Many students and staff are keen to travel overseas to study although a stumbling block for many has been the ‘fear of the unknown’ in travelling abroad to study.

Having recognised this factor as a major drawback in attracting students and staff to commit to a full term of study abroad, Mahasasarakham University in collaboration with UTM (University of Technology) Malaysia has devised the short OE Program.

The OE program is designed so students and staff can travel to UTM Malaysia for a two week period to gain exposure to Malaysian culture, language as well as participating in various classes and activities organised on and around the UTM campus.

The benefits of the OE Program are many. MSU participants will return with first-hand knowledge of overseas institutions which they can pass on to their peers, hopefully removing or allaying the ‘fear factor’ of overseas study. Secondly, the OE participants act as cultural ambassadors for MSU, hopefully creating an atmosphere whereby UTM students and staff gain more knowledge and confidence in the opportunities of student exchange on offer at MSU.

Even though the OE Program does not carry any academic credits, the personal experience gained by the participants and the passing on of this experience is invaluable for the internationalisation of Mahasarakham University.

 Mahasarakham University welcomes enquiries from any other tertiary institutions who would like to participate in the innovative OE Program. ...more pics

MAHASARAKHAM - ONE OF THE TOP TEN CREATIVE CITIES IN THAILAND

On May 11 Mahasarakham was named as one of the Top Ten Creative Cities in Thailand at a ceremony hosted by the Department of Intellectual property at Government House in Bangkok. Mahasarakham was selected sixth (described as a city of learning and community development) on the list of one hundred and eight cities from all over Thailand. The list was shortened to thirty cities before the top ten were selected.

The selection guidelines included intellectual capital, stakeholders, products and services, system planning and management working towards a creative economy.

Government agencies including Provincial Development, Tourism and Sports, Chamber of Commerce, Public Works and Planning, Industrial Planning as well as many scholars from Rajabhat Mahasarakham and Mahasarakham University are to be thanked for their combined efforts in achieving this great honour.

Maha Sarakham is known throughout Thailand as a city of learning towards community development. 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

CAMBODIAN STUDENTS VIE FOR MSU SCHOLARSHIPS

MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito accompanied representatives from MSU faculties to Phnom Penh International University in Cambodia to attend selection trials for Cambodian students applying for scholarships at universities in Thailand. Burapha and Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University were also amongst other Thai universities in attendance offering scholarships to Cambodian students.

The students undertook qualifying examinations before being interviewed by representatives of the faculties to which they were applying.

The scholarships are made available at the gracious behest of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn and presented on an annual basis. Successful candidates are given scholarships to study at a university in Thailand, not just for a single semester or two, but for the full term of their degree.

This year Mahasarakham University will be welcoming two Cambodian graduates to study their doctorates and sixteen students to commence undergraduate studies across various faculties commencing in June of this year.  ....more pics

MOU SIGNED WITH UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, MALAYSIA

Following a successful visit from representatives of UTM (University of Technology Malaysia) last month MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito led a delegation of MSU representatives on a return visit to sign an innovative MOU.

MSU faculties and departments  represented in Malaysia included Human Resources Development, General Education, University Affairs and Planning and International Relations.

Innovative agreements were made between UTM and MSU in that the MOU not only caters for student exchange but also for academic and ancillary staff exchange including accommodation. The first exchanges are expected to commence as early as May, 2011.

Besides touring the UTM campus the delegation from MSU were also visited UTM’s Centre for Teaching and Learning which conducts E-learning programs such as MyLine (English online) as well as the UTM Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant. ...more pics