MSU WELCOMES CAMBODIAN SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS

On April 2 Cambodian Deputy Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, His Excellency Mr. Chea Eoung was welcomed to MSU by President Dr. Supachai Samappito and took part in a ceremony in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Chakri Sirindhorn, the Royal Patron of Mahasarakham University.

During his heartfelt address H.E. Mr. Eoung expressed the gratitude of the Cambodian people for the educational support provided by HRH Princess Sirindhorn. He noted the Princess has for many years been admired for her many projects in support of education, communities and traditional heritage, not only in Thailand, but all over the world.

Each year the much loved Princess Sirindhorn provides full scholarships for students from Cambodia to come to study at MSU. These scholarships are for the full term of study for a degree.

This year a total of ninety-nine students attended the initial welcoming ceremony held at Mahasarakham University. Of these eighty-eight will stay on to attend a comprehensive fast track course in Thai language and culture. After this fourteen students will remain to start as freshmen commencing next semester at MSU while the rest will attend other universities across Thailand.Upon completion of their degree the students will return to Cambodia to apply the skills they have learned to improve the quality of life of the Cambodian people.

An innovative part of these scholarships is free dental check-ups and dental health care during the orientation process. MSU Gymnasium is transformed into a huge dental clinic and dentists (and students) from Mahidol University come to provide the necessary dental skills. The students receive any necessary dental service so they start their studies healthy and happy. Mahasarakham University would like to send sincere thanks to the many dental students from Princess Sirindhorn Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University who volunteered their time to come to Mahasarakham to provide this valuable service.

   

The graciousness of HRH Princess Sirindhorn is also extended to local communities. Free dental check-ups and dental health care service is also provided to members of local communities, MSU staff and students. It is a valuable service now provided annually and helps many, many local people who otherwise could not afford dental treatments.

While here His Excellency Mr. Eoung and special guests boarded one of the MSU trams and visited the room dedicated to HRH Princess Sirindhorn located in the Princess Sirindhorn International Business School building. He then visited the Natural Medicinal Mushroom Museum before attending a dinner given in his honour. 

MSU WELCOMES DR. YOKELSON FROM BRANDMAN U CALIFORNIA

On March 29 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito welcomed Assistant Professor Dr. Suzanne Yockelson from Brandman University, California to Mahasarakham University.

 Dr. Yokelson is Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Development at Brandman University School of Education. Brandman University is located in Orange California and is part of the Chapman University (founded in 1861) system.

Dr Yokelson was invited as a special guest speaker to address Doctorate students from the MSU Faculty of Education. Her research involves the social and emotional development of young children from her background in the education of typically and atypically child development.

Dr. Yokelson’s was also a special guest speaker at the recent 5^th International Conference on Education Reform (ICER) held in Pattaya.  

ICER CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKER ADDRESSES MSU INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP

On March 19 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito welcomed Professor Dr. David M. Fetterman of Stanford University to the MSU Faculty of Education.

Dr. Fetterman is a Professor and Director of the MA Policy Analysis and Evaluation Program in the School of Education at Stanford. He has received the Myrdal Award for Evaluation Practice, the American Evaluation Society’s highest award.

Dr. Fetterman was invited to address a two International Training Workshop held at the MSU Faculty of Education from March 19 - 20.  His address was entitled ‘A Collaborative Approach Toward Evaluating and Transforming Education’.

The International Training Workshop leads up to the Fifth International Conference on Education Reform which will be hosted by MSU Faculty of Education and held in Pattaya from March 22 – 23.

Dr. Fetterman will be the keynote speaker at the conference.

Click here for information on the Fifth International Conference on Education Reform (ICER) -Pattaya Mar 22 -23

MOU SIGNED WITH GSCM MONTPELLIER BUSINESS SCHOOL

Between February 15 and 23 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito led a delegation of MSU Directors, Vice Presidents and Deans to Montpellier in France to sign an MOU with Le Groupe Sup de Co Montpellier (GSCM) Business School.

GSCM Montpellier is allied with University Montpellier. GSCM Montpellier has international recognition of academic excellence from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Less than five percent of business schools world wide achieve this recognition. Eighty four percent of their graduates are hired before they graduate. The business school welcomes on the average two hundred and fifty international students from over one hundred and thirty universities.

The MOU will facilitate the development of joint undergraduate programs, joint research and projects. Students may achieve a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business (BScIBA) as well as accounting and commerce degrees.

MSU HOSTS 2ND IQS MASTERCLASS AND INTERNATIONALISATION SEMINAR

On March 2 Mahasarakham University hosted the 2^nd iQS International Seminar and QS Masterclass on Internationalisation of Higher Education (iQS2) at the prestigious J.W. Marriott Hotel in Bangkok. The first iQS Masterclass was held on campus in Mahasarakham just over seven months ago with mostly Thai universities represented. The interest and

positive feedback generated within Thailand prompted the expansion of iQS2 to a more international stage with MSU, in partnership with QS (Asia), inviting universities outside Thailand to co-host the event.

Guangxi University for Nationalities (GXUN, China), University of the Free State (UFS, South Africa), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and University of the Philippines (UP, Diliman Campus) joined iQS2 as co-hosts sending executive representatives as well as providing keynote speakers of international renown.

MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito gave the welcoming address affirming the theme of the seminar to establish cooperative relationships between Thai and international universities in obtaining and maintaining Masterclass status as well as to provide a platform to share knowledge and ideas in the promotion of their individual institutions.

Former Minister of Science and Technology in Thailand, Professor Dr. Yongyuth Yuthavong, headed a strong list of keynote speakers who provided a wealth of material for the two hundred participants at the seminar. Dr. Yongyuth spoke entertainingly, giving a knowledgeable overview of Asian governmental and NGO’s concerned with higher education as well as how smaller universities can work to their relevant strengths in the international education arena.

Mandy Mok, Managing Director of QS Asia, provided an oversight of the many services provided by the QS Corporation. Quacquarelli Symonds Pty. Ltd. is arguably the world leader in independently providing integrated tools and solutions for universities to fulfil their potential internationally.

Dr Kevin Downing of the City University of Hong Kong provided innovative and valuable information on challenges faced by Asian universities, while Dr. Mohmd Ismail Abd Aziz gave an insightful and thorough presentation on his as yet unpublished work on aspects of cross cultural student exchange management from actual experience at the University of Teknologi Malaysia.

Professor Wu Jinzhoo, Vice President of Guangxi University of Nationalities, China, provide a perspective of the system of minority universities in China, their relationship with the Chinese government as well as important information relevant to Chinese trade and education towards ASEAN 2015.

The inclusion of South African co-host University of the Free State speaker Dr. Drieke Hay further broadened the scope of the forum with information on international curriculum design imperatives while Dr. Maria Milagros Laurel of University of the Philippines spoke on changes and the need for adaptation occurring in higher educational institutions within the Philippines.

The intensive one day seminar was completed with an hour and a half long open forum chaired by MC Dr. Intisarn Chaiyasuk. All keynote speakers kindly made themselves available for questions and comments.

Participants partook of a sumptuous buffet dinner in the evening and next day visited the famous reclining Buddha at Wat Pho before spending time shopping at Chatuchak weekend markets.

Click here for more pictures

Click here for video (in Thai)

FEBRUARY EDITION OF QS NEWS2WOWU – MSU GAINING INTERNATIONAL MOMENTUM

The latest edition of QS News2WOWU quarterly newsletter has just been published with Mahasarakham University once again prominent. 

The latest edition of QS News2WOWU quarterly newsletter has just been published with Mahasarakham University once again prominent. The front and second page article notes Sungkyungkwan University (SKKU) in South Korea and Mahasarakham University being the first universities in their respective countries, or in the case of MSU, kingdom, to be rated under the QS Stars system for excellence in higher education. Page two of QS News2WOWU provides an informative overall picture of Mahasarakham University and mentions some of its achievements and plans for the future.

The internationalisation process of Mahasarakham University is indeed gaining momentum. MSU International Relations Office staff have noticed a marked increase in emails received regarding international students, academics and institutions wanting to either study, work at or liaise with MSU. At the same time many faculties are busy with the process of preparing undergraduate courses in English for the future. Post graduate courses for international students are already available for most MSU faculties.

From its humble beginnings in the heart of the northeast of Thailand as a College of Education in 1968 with the mandate of extending higher education to the nation’s rural northeastern region, Mahasarakham University has now set its sights on becoming a world class university, its mandate extended to include students of all nationalities.

US CONSULAR OFFICIALS ATTEND OPENING OF AMERICAN CORNER AT MSU

On January 18 Mr. Michael Honnold, US Embassy Cultural Attache and Ms. Wendy Zaman, US Embassy American Corner Coordinator were welcomed MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito to the new temporary home of American Corner on the ground floor of the RN Building in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

For the opening a special exhibition celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King was on show kindly supplied by the US Embassy (Bangkok).

Many students at MSU are fascinated by American culture and way of life. American Corner is a student orientated space with facilities designed for students to create their own space. In other words the students are empowered to use the space as they see fit; they are the owners of American Corner. MSU teachers and staff are on hand to give advice and provide little supervision per se.

This opening of American Corner at MSU has been classified as a ‘soft’ opening. Soft in the way it is the opening before the official opening. American Corner at the moment is a temporary space and will be moved to a new permanent home in the near future when an official opening, hopefully attended by the US Ambassador to Thailand will take place.

MSU is very grateful to the US Embassy Consular staff for their continuing interest and for making the creation of American Corner possible. The best thing about American Corner is MSU students have it as their own to create a space where students can come to learn about American culture at their own pace and on their own terms while still having the option of kindly advice from contact with US Embassy Consular staff.  

5TH EDUCATIONAL REFORM CONFERENCE IN MARCH – MSU FACULTY OF EDUCATION

MSU Faculty of Education will be co-chairing the 5^th International Conference on Educational Reform to be held in Pattaya on the 22^nd and 23^rd March this year. Other co-chairs of the conference are Savannakhet University, The National University of Laos and Hue University (Vietnam).

The theme of the two day conference is ‘Empowering People. Empowering the World.’ Keynote speakers will be Dr. David M. Fetterman from Stanford University (pictured left) and Dr. Akihito Kamata  from the University of Oregon (pictured below left). The annual conference provides an opportunity for international educators to share new theories and practices in education. 

There are a large variety of themes being covered at the conference this year. Some of these are innovation and technology in education, curriculum and learning innovation, creativity and diversity, teaching and teacher education programs, education  for minorities and at risk and marginalised students to name a few.

There are still a few days left if you wish to submit a paper for the conference. Submissions close on January 15.

The conference will be held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Pattaya on March 22 -23, 2012

Click here to go to to the ICER web site for more details. 

MSU PREPARING FOR ASEAN 2015

Visitors to the President’s Building at MSU will notice something new.

On November 23 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito and Vice President for Planning & International Relations Dr. Nathanon Trachoo oversaw the erection of twenty flagpoles comprising two sets of ten flanking each side of the entrance to the President’s building.

Each flagpole bears the flag of one of the ten members of the Association of South East Nations (ASEAN); Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The flagpoles are a symbol of the commitment of Mahasarakham University to be well prepared when the proposed AEC (ASEAN Economic Community) is formed in 2015.

MSU is pro active in engaging with educational institutions across the ASEAN University Network in promoting collaborative research and student exchange programs.

First established in 1967, the ASEAN motto is ‘One Vision, One Identity, One Community’. Much  more information on ASEAN 2015 can be gathered from the publication Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009 – 2015.

MSU’S SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPATION AT THE 7TH QS APPLE CONFERENCE – MANILA PHILIPPINES NOV 16 -18

Mahasarakham University is actively engaging in raising the profile of our university internationally.

MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito has addressed internationalisation as the third of the five themes of his vision for the future of Mahasarakham University.

“Third is the development of Mahasarakham University as a world-class quality university. We have set a goal that within four years we will be ranked in the top eight hundred universities in the world by the Times Higher Education Supplement and that within eight years we will be in the top five hundred universities in the world.”

To this end Dr. Supachai accompanied a large MSU delegation including Vice Presidents, Deans of Faculties and academics to attend the 7^th QS APPLE (Asia Pacific Professional Leaders in Education) Conference held over three days at the four hundred year old University of Santo Tomas in Manila, the Philippines from November 16 – 18.

PRE CONFERENCE VISIT TO UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

On November 15 the full MSU delegation attended a meeting held in the Rector’s Meeting Rooms at the University of the Philippines (UP) where, after a short welcoming ceremony, a workshop and discussions were held concerning future collaborations between MSU and UP. The discussions were perhaps unique in that representatives from many faculties of both educational institutions were present and had an opportunity to network with fellow academics concerning collaborations not necessarily confined to their own faculty.

Many members of both UP and MSU met and had informal discussions during the 7^th QS APPLE Conference which commenced the day after the meeting at University of Philippines.

Mahasarakham delegates and presenters had a busy next three days at the 7^th QS APPLE conference; presenting,  attending sessions, keynote addresses and generally networking with delegates from other educational institutions.

MSU PRESENTATIONS AT 7^TH QS APPLE PARALLEL SESSIONS

Mahasarakham University showed a strong presence in the parallel sessions with five people presenting at the conference.

Dr. Tarawut Boonlua, Associate Dean for Academic and International Affairs of the Faculty of Architecture, Urban Design and Creative Arts presented on cross cultural differences in architecture resulting from feedback received from Thai students and visiting students from Purdue School of Engineering and Technology. Purdue and MSU students collaborated on a one week workshop/project involving practical bamboo product design and implementation in a local village.

MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Sujin Butdisuwan gave a presentation on University Social Responsibility (USR) - one faculty one community. He spoke on MSU’s commitment to involving and bringing benefit to communities through the involvement of faculties in community projects and course research directly linking programs which can be used ‘on the ground and at the grass roots level’ for practical benefit of local communities. Indeed, as Dr. Sujin explained to his audience, the acronym MSU also stands for Morality, Social Responsibility and Unity.

Ms. Apiradee Jansaeng from MSU Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences presented on education policy and the future of Chinese education in Thailand in reference to the work done through the Confucius Institute based at Mahasarakham University. The model of the successful language and cultural programs was a key part of the presentation.

Mr. Micael Talbot of MSU International Relations Office presented on the background and implementation of the ICES (Isan Cultural Exchange Schooling) program. ICES is a program run by the MSU International Relations Office and aims to attract native English speakers to assist Thai English teachers in improving Isan primary and secondary school children’s conversational English skills.

  

Dr. Santhipharp Khamsa-ard, a lecturer at MSU Faculty of Engineering,  gave his presentation on the background and making of the film Rak Na Sarakham (Love Sarakham), locally produced and filmed on location in and around Mahasarakham. Described as using cultural film making to bring rural life to an international audience, the film also sends a message of the importance of preserving traditional cultural values, through entertaining young people in a big screen movie.

All presentations were well received with interest shown by the good attendance of international delegates at all presentations. The presenters were kept busy well after their presentations answering questions and making new contacts from many international educational organisations.

MSU ROADSHOW SHINES AT 7^TH QS APPLE

  

Mahasarkahm University also brought the MSU Roadshow to the conference. The roadshow was set up in a booth which, besides displaying posters and containing information about MSU, has the added attraction of live Isan music performances. 

Delegates could learn a little Isan dance and have their picture taken with the picture being immediately uploaded to Facebook to be shown on the screen at the booth.

Many delegates took the opportunity for a little ‘time out’ from the serious business of networking to enjoy a little ‘cultural activity’ at the MSU Roadshow booth.

The MSU Roadshow was manned for the full three days of the conference from the opening to the closing by the hardworking MSU International Relations staff of Team Leader Ms. Siremorn Prathunthip(Jiap), musician Ms. Napatchanan Boonramee (Pookie), dancer Ms. Suyanee Chaisuwan (Pang) and musician Dr. Sitthisak Champadaeng from the Faculty of Cultural Science.

The small band and dancer Pang kept the energy and vibrancy of Isan music and dance alive for the full three days, amazing for outsiders but pure enjoyment for these wonderful Isan ambassabors.

MSU SIGNS GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH QS APPLE

The 7^th QS APPLE conference ended on a high note, both for Mahasarakham University and for QS Asia. Shortly after the closing addresses on November 18 Dr Supachai Samappito and QS Asia Managing Director Mandy Mok signed an agreement making Mahasarakham University a global partner of QS APPLE (Asia Pacific Professional Leaders in Education).

The QS corporation was founded in 1990 and is now considered one of the world’s premier educational networking organisations. QS Asia organises the annual QS APPLE conferences which bring together professional leaders in education from over forty countries world-wide.

The agreement is an important part of Mahasarakham University plans towards the creation of a world class university. It is believed MSU is the first university in Thailand to become a global partner with QS APPLE.

7^TH QS APPLE HOST UNIVERSITY – UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS, MANILA

The University of Santo Tomas which held the 7^th QS APPLE conference is to be congratulated on their gracious hospitality and wonderful performance during the three days of the conference. The venues were excellent, the students and staff involved could not have been more courteous and helpful. Everything ran smoothly, the food and service was excellent. One was made to feel welcome right from the start and the feedback from delegates spoken to at the conference contained nothing less than glowing praise. Congratulations on your four hundred years anniversary as an educational institution and a job well done. MSU thanks you for your hospitality. We hope we can return it in the near future.

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE WITH QS

Details are sketchy at the moment but it can be revealed discussions were held between MSU and QS Asia for Mahasarakham University to host a two or three day QS Master Class convention at a leading convention center in Bangkok in early to mid 2012. This will be in collaboration with three or four leading Asian universities. It is expected many Presidents, Vice Presidents and key administrators of world class universities will take the opportunity to attend. Internationally renowned speakers will give keynote addresses with panel discussions led by expert moderators also being held. More details as they come to hand.

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.

THREE DAY MSU SCIENCE FAIR ASTRONOMICALLY SUCCESSFUL

MSU Faculty of Science held its annual three day Science Fair from August 17- 19. The Science Fair gives students a bit of a break after having completed their mid-term exams and also to let them create exhibits to showcase some of their work to the general public and other students.

Many students from surrounding primary and secondary schools come to MSU to visit the Science Fair and have a lot of fun. The students also got to visit the MSU Natural Medicinal Mushroom Museum and this year also had the bonus of seeing the Jewels of the Sea exhibition before it moves on to Chiang Mai later this year.

There were many exhibits of interest to people of all ages and the students manning the exhibitions were always very helpful and patient explaining their exhibits to anybody stopping to look.

A poster competition, mathematics school, solar power, large telescopes, glass blowing, chemistry demonstrations, physics demonstrations, recycling products, mushroom and silk products developed from MSU, robotics, were among some of the too many to mention exhibits.

So many of the demonstrations would have prompted the question; ’Why Is It So?’ from people visiting the fair. The Faculty of Science and their students are to be congratulated on putting on such an interesting and exciting Science Fair, especially for their willingness and ability to answer why it IS so.

If you want to see more pictures from the Science Fair please click here.

GOODWILL VISIT TO MSU BY UNITED STATES EMBASSY OFFCIALS

On August 11 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito welcomed Mr. Jose Collazo and representatives of the Embassy of the United States of America in Bangkok who paid a goodwill visit and gave a presentation to students on American Culture and Society.

Organised through the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences the goodwill visit was to provide information on mutual cultural exchanges as well as to give MSU students a greater understanding of modern American society and culture. Most Thai student’s knowledge of American culture is gained from watching Hollywood movies or music videos which provides a very different perspective from perhaps the true American society and cultural values.

A large audience of students, teachers and other interested people were in attendance for Mr Collazo’s presentation giving an indication of how popular the idea of travelling to visit or study in the United States is with MSU students.

In the afternoon the delegation visited some of the MSU Faculties including Humanities and Social Sciences, Politics and Governance and Accounting and Management.