NEW YEAR CEREMONY IN MAHASARAKHAM

On January 1 MSU Vice President for Special Affairs Associate Professor Dr. Suracha Amornpan attended the Maha Sarakham Provincial New Year ceremony held at the Clock Tower in central Mahasarakham. Dr. Suracha represented Mahasarakham University for the important ceremony which was also attended by Mr. Jeerawat Chuenwarin, Governor of Maha Sarakham Province.

The New Year ceremony is held in villages, towns, cities and villages all over Thailand early on New Year’s Day. Many of the townspeople will arise early and head to the community centre from about 6 am onwards bearing alms to give to the monks. All monks from surrounding temples attend and it is quite a spectacle to see the large number of monks and people showing respect and giving alms. There are also speeches by local government, business and, because Mahasarakham is a city of education, educational leaders.

On New Year’s Day in Mahasarakham the ceremony was attended by three hundred and fifty-nine monks from seventeen temples in and around the municipality. Government officers, business people and the general community numbering in their thousands prayed for His Majesty King Bhumibol, prosperity for themselves and their families before forming long lines where monks passed and received alms from the people.

The New Year ceremony is a wonderful time where the whole community comes together to wish each other prosperity and happiness for the coming year.

สุขสันต์ปีใหม่ - Happy New Year

MSU FACULTY OF MEDICINE 8TH ANNIVERSARY

On  November 21 nine monks participated in the ceremony commemorating the eighth anniversary of the MSU Faculty of Medicine. The ceremony,, commencing at seven am, was well attended by students, staff and executives of the  university. As is traditional, after the blessing ceremony, alms were presented to the monks.

MSU Faculty of Medicine currently has a six year open university program in Medicine as well as a graduate program in Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, a Department of Medical Science, a Geaduate Business Center plus post doctoral studies in health sciences.

Students for the Faculty of Medicine practise at hospitals in Mahasarakham, Kalasin, Roi Et, and Mukdahan hospitals as well as many community medical centres.

Later in the day MSU President  Dr. Supachai Samappito gave a progress report on the progress of the four hundred million baht two hundred bed campus hospital which is due for completion in October next year. He also reported on a future Center of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine located next to the Medical Center. This center will cater to patients receiving Thai traditional medical attention as well as producing traditional medicines and herbal products.

MSU CELEBRATES LOI KRATHONG FESTIVAL

On November 8 MSU Students celebrated the annual Loi Krathong festival. The actual celebration day this year is on November 10 but it is celebrated at MSU a little early as many students return home to celebrate with family. The festival included a parade, dancing competition, an address to the students by MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito and the tradtional floating of Loi Kratong and khomb.

The Loi Krathong Festival takes place on the evening of the full moon of the twelfth month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar.  People either make or buy the loi (float) krathong (raft) which may be described as a lotus shaped raft designed to float on water. Although scholars argue the origins of the Loi Krathong festival it may be safe to say the loi krathongs are created as an offering to  the Goddess of the water, Phra Mae Khongkai and in honour of Buddha. When they are floated on the water it is symbolic of a person letting go of their grudges and floating them away.

A traditional Loi Krathong is made from a base cut from the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily. Decorations are made from woven banana leaves and flowers and topped with a candle and joss sticks to honour the Buddha. They can also contain some food, candles and even fingernail clippings and hair. A small coin is often put in the base as an offering to Phra Mae Khongkai .

This is why you see many young children waiting around until after the festivities are over to collect the Loi Krathongs looking for the coins.

It is also traditional at this time to float khom loi (floating lanterns) as a symbol of merit making. A khom is a lantern made from thin rice paper and similar to a hot air balloon. It has a small kerosene/compressed paper burner wired into the base which is lit. When the air inside is hot enough to float the khom it is released to float off into the night sky.  The floating of khom loi is not restricted to Loi Krathong festival. They are also floated at other Buddhist festival events.

The night of the Loi Krathong festival with the candle lit loi krathong combined with many khomb floating in the sky is an event which, once seen, will be remembered for a lifetime.

POST FROM MSU BUSINESS SCHOOL

It is wonderful to see members of MSU Faculties reading this blog. It is even more wonderful to see this first ever faculty contribution to our blog. Below is a post from the Mahasarakham University Business School (Faculty of Accountancy and Management). We are hoping other MSU faculties will take up the challenge to send us posts about news from their faculty so we can share it in the blogoshere.

On Thursday, July 21^st 2554 Mahasarakham Business School held a yearly ceremony to gratitude the teachers and providing scholarships to outstanding students in academic year 2554 at the university’s sport building.

The objective of the event is to let students to respect and gratitude teachers whom have endowed their knowledge and have equipped them with talents. Also, to encourage the students in all program to successfully achieve their goals throughout their four years of education. Additionally, it is also to inherit and maintain the faculty’s valuable ceremony and promoting ethical behavior and gratitude to the students.

MSU WELCOMES NEW INTAKE OF FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

Mahasarakham University buzzes with activity for the first two weeks of June. Mahasarakham University now has students coming to attend from twenty provinces in north east Thailand with a large percentage of them living away from home in student accommodation both on and off campus around Mahasarakham.

The first week of June is the time when new students are welcomed to MSU before getting down to serious study. Many events are held to both welcome and orientate the new students towards settling in to university life.

One such event is the rice offering parade and ceremony. The event was held on June 6 this year, presided over by MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito with a full compliment of MSU Vice Presidents and Deans on hand as well as  thousands of MSU first year students or ‘freshies’ as they are colloquially known.

The rice offering ceremony is a traditional ceremony including a blessing for the students, traditional Isan dance and music and the ceremonial tying of a piece of string around the wrist of the students (and Ajarns). Nobody is too old to learn.

Dr. Supachai gave a welcoming address to the new students remarking on the fact they are attending a university intent on producing quality graduates competitive at both national and international levels while at the same time being mindful towards the conservation and sustainability of local history, traditions and culture. ... more pics

MSU SECONDARY WAI KRU CEREMONY

Mahasarakham University Demonstration Secondary School held a Wai Kru ceremony in the school’s Centredome building on June 2.

The ceremony is one you will see repeated at all levels of educational institutions throughout Thailand. Wai Kru is regarded as a traditional sacred ceremony where students pay respect to their teachers for their dedication in educating younger people. The students are regarded as seedlings and it is the sacred responsibility of the teacher or Ajarn to nurture the student in a similar way to nurturing a seedling so the students grow strong intellectually. During the ceremony a piece of string is tied around the wrist of the students by one or more of the students’ Ajarn which is a reminder to all of a mutual connection and respect.

The responsibilities of an Ajarn go much further in Thai culture than simply ‘teaching’. It also includes moral learning, teaching values towards others and the community in general. The ceremony is treated with great respect but there are also light hearted moments which help in the development of close bonds between students and their educators. ... more pics

SONGKRAN AT MAHASARAKHAM UNIVERSITY

Songkran ceremonies and celebrations are held early at MSU as many students travel to their respective homes for the official holiday to the nineteen Isan Provinces from which MSU draws its students.

 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito led a full day of Songkran ceremonies and festivities which were celebrated on April 8. Commencing at 7 am Dr.Supachai, MSU Executives and many others visited the City Pillar and then the Buddha at the MSU Northeastern Arts and Culture centre for a bathing ceremony.

At noon there was a merit making ceremony held in the grounds of the President’s Building. which preceded a grand parade followed by a full afternoon of entertainment, festivities and competitions. There was a beauty competition, popularity competition, dancing competition and a talent quest.

It is times such as these the full kindness, joy of life and welcoming attitude of Isan people is exemplified.

For any foreigner these goings on seem all very delightful and surprising while at the same time very strange so it is natural to feel a little out of place. Isan people soon make you feel comfortable and at ease as you are gently invited to participate in all ceremonies and festivities.

You do not feel excluded in the religious merit making ceremonies. You are invited to participate and are not ridiculed if you make a faux pas. You can join in with the parade and you can join in the dancing no matter how awkward your style. Isan people, both male and female, sing and dance from the time they are born and the exuberance and pure joy of the celebration combined with the loud and lively traditional and modern Isan music make it almost impossible for one not to join in and share the wonderful feelings.

The breathtaking beauty and colour of the traditional costumes, the adrenalin of the non-stop loud music, the elegance of movement accompanied by ubiquitous smiles make the Songkran festivities an unforgettable experience. A celebration of this kind should be on everybody’s ‘Things to Experience In My Lifetime’ list. ...more pics

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY CELEBRATED AT MSU

On January 8 MSU Vice President for Student Development Dr. Sujin Butdisuwan had the enviable task of representing MSU in opening celebrations for Thai National Children’s Day.

MSU Student Council and various other student clubs banded together to create a special occasion for over two thousand children and adults attending the day held at the MSU Gymnasium.

The National Children’s Day motto this year of ‘cautious, cognitive public mindedness’ was the underlying theme for activities. Lots of prizes were donated by MSU and awarded to children participating in games cultivating knowledge towards the values of harmony, discipline and ethics.

It is still being decided whether the children or the adults had more fun on the day. ...more pics

PRINCESS MAHA CHAKRI SIRINDHORN MSU GRADUATION CEREMONY

On December 22 HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the graduation ceremony for over eight thousand students who graduated from Mahasarakham University in the year 2010.

Thailand may be unique in that every student attaining a degree at a University in Thailand is presented with their degree at a formal graduation ceremony by a member of the Royal Family.

Representing Thailand’s beloved King Rama IX, His Royal Highness   Bhumibol Adulyadej, Princess Siridnhorn is the very popular Royal Patron of Mahasarakham University.

Graduation Day at Mahasarakham University is one of great import with graduation certificates personally handed to each student by the Princess in afternoon and morning sessions. The sight of the gymnasium filled to capacity in a sea of robed students and academics is truly a wonderful sight to behold. Those in attendance at the graduation ceremony cannot help but to be moved by the pride showing on each students face as they receive their degrees.

Princess Sirindhorn was also introduced to some of the seventy Cambodian students who attend MSU under the Princess Sirindhorn Scholarship Project. The goodwill project provides these young Cambodian people with the opportunity to come to MSU to study for their degree. ... more pics