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’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.

MOU WITH KWASSUI WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY, JAPAN

On August 29 MSU Vice president for Planning and International Relations and representatives of MSU Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences had the pleasure of welcoming delegates from Kwassui Women’s University Japan to discuss technical arrangements of an MOU between the two institutions.

Kwassui Women’s University is located in Nagasaki and, among others, has faculties in common with MSU in Humanities and Social Sciences, Music as well as a newly created Faculty of Nursing (2009). Kwassui Women’s University also provides a Japanese learning program for international students through its International Student Exchange Center.

Pic from photo album of  Kwassui Women's University, Japan 

The MOU student exchange agreement will facilitate opportunities for MSU students to study in Japan while at the same time availing Japanese students from Kwassui Women’s University opportunities to study here in Mahasarakham. It will also enable mutual cooperations on future projects.

Click here for more information about Kwassui Women’s University (in Japanese).

MSU WELCOMES MOU WITH HUE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

On August 21, Associate Professor Dr. Ngo Dac Chung and five other representatives of Hue University College of Education were warmly welcomed by MSU Vice President for International Relations and Planning Dr. Nathanon Trachoo for the signing of an MOU between the two educational institutions.

The MOU paves the way for exchange students from both institutions to participate in various programs run by each of the Universities. Among other programs, MSU students will be able to visit Hue University under the Overseas Experience Program and Hue University students will be able to apply to study at MSU under MSU Inbound Internship Program.

Hue University has a long and proud history being established in 1957 and is recognised as a leading and prestigious training and research institution in Vietnam. Historically, the city of Hue, located six hundred and sixty kilometres south of Hanoi, has been noted as a centre for training talented and gifted people for more than two centuries. 

Vietnamese students currently studying at MSU and students from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences were also attended the ceremony and gave the honoured guests a warm welcome. MSU students and others interested in investigating more about Hue University can click here.

MOU TALKS WITH UNIVERSITY OF DANANG

On August 3 MSU Vice President for Planning and International Relations Dr. Nathanon Trachoo welcomed representatives from the University of Danang in Vietnam for discussions on the signing of an MOU.

The discussions concentrated on future technical co-operations between the Danang College of Technology and MSU Faculty of Engineering. The agreement will include exchange of students for internships and mutual research projects, holding alternate international symposiums and providing programs of mutual benefit to both academic institutions

MSU AND MAHSARAKHAM SECONDARY SCHOOLS CONNECTED

Memoranda of Understanding Cooperation Agreements have been signed to develop information systems for the Mahasarakham Province Area Office of Education Schools.

Mahasarakham University Faculties of Education, Accountancy and Management, the Mahasarakham Development  Foundation, Ministry of Education and financial software company Alphametrics (Saraburi) will assist the working group. The development of information and waste management systems, centralised results management, improved communication and networking systems for the Mahasarakham Area Office of Education are all part of the project plan. 

Part of the Management Information Systems Project  will also provide a study of secondary and primary education in Maha Sarakham Province important for the future development of educational policy within the province. ... more pics