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. 

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.  

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.

OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS ON OFFER FOR MSU STUDENTS

Mahasarakham University has just announced an innovative Overseas Experience Scholarship for current students.

Students of MSU can apply for Overseas Experience  Program Scholarships. These scholarships provide the opportunity for MSU students to gain valuable experience by attending international universities to learn about the country’s language, traditions, history and culture.

Recent reciprocal agreements signed between the University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) and Sangmyung University in South Korea means students from MSU can spend a short time at these universities without the extra burden of paying accommodation and participation fees.

MSU students will be able to attend UTM Malaysia from May 16 to 27 or Sangmyung University South Korea from June 29 to July 20.

For more information MSU students can click here (in Thai) or email tharnthip.k @ gmail.com

MSU CO-HOSTING 15TH ASIAN FORUM ON BUSINESS EDUCATION

On January 18 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito hosted Asian Forum on Business Education (ABFE) President Dr. Brian Sheehan and ABFE Secretary Dr. Victor Egan in discussions on the forthcoming 15^th AFBE Conference to be held in Bangkok at the Landmark Hotel from May 28 – 29 this year.

The theme of the conference is ‘The Opportunities, Threats, and Future Trends of Business in China, India and ASEAN Countries.’

Mahasarakham University is once again co-hosting the conference, giving MSU exposure to a large international audience of business academics. The ABFE conference has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 1992 having extended its activities from just having an annual conference to now including the International Business School Accreditation System (IBSA), International Dr. of Business Administration (IDBA) program and publishing the online AFBE Journal.

Submission deadline for abstracts is February 28 and full papers by April 30. More information is available from the AFBE website:  http://www.afbe.biz    ...more pics