UNIVERSITIES ETHICS TRAINING PROGRAM AT MSU

On March 19 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito opened the proceedings of an ethics training program attended by over two hundred students and teachers representing eleven Thailand universities.

Thai universities have a strong moral obligation towards developing innovative programs not confined solely to university campuses. Morals and ethics training programs such as these are taken out and implemented in communities all over Thailand.

Students from Chulalongkorn and Boston Univerities in Bangkok, Nong Khai in the north and Ubon Ratchatani Rajabhat in the east joined local university representatives from Khon Kaen and MSU for the program.

The two day program was organised by the MSU Division of Student Affairs Research Foundation and held in the MSU Student Building. The program follows lifelong ethics and moral values as promoted by His Royal Highness King Bhumibol. 

The ethics training program is designed to train the participants in techniques for practical promotion of teaching and learning projects for well being and mental health in communities and schools throughout Thailand. 

MSU FACULTY OF ENGINEERING 13TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

On March 16 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito presided over the 13^th Anniversary celebrations of Mahasarakham University Faculty of Engineering.

The celebrations also coincided with a farewell to the former Dean, Professor Dr. Pradit Terdtoon and a welcome for the new Dean of the faculty, Professor Dr. Sumpun Ritthideck.

MSU Faculty of Engineering was established in 1999 and now offers undergraduate degrees in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Environmental, Manufacturing and Biological Engineering as well as Mechatronics. International programs in Masters of Mechanical, Civil, Electrical and Computer Engineering are also available.

MSU Faculty of Engineering has partnerships and collaborations with many national and international organisations through research and development projects in fields such as solar energy, power electronics, water and environment, thermal tools, mechatronics, robotics and food and post harvesting.

The celebrations were attended by many MSU administrators, teachers, staff and students who were thoroughly entertained during the evening by students from the MSU College of Music.

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

MSU WELCOMES KOREAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE PROFESSOR

On March 13 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito welcomed Professor Jaesup Pak, Director of the Center for Korean Language and Culture, Inje University to Mahasarakham University.

Professor Jaesup is here to officiate at the opening of the newly constructed Korean Culture Center (Center Sejong Hakdang) on March 14.

The Sejong Center will include a Korean folk museum and assist in the development of MSU student’s knowledge and understanding of Korean language, art and culture. The MSU Korean Studies Center was originally established as department of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science in cooperation with the government of the Republic of (South) Korea. 

Korean Studies is popular with MSU students keen to learn about Korean language and culture. Every event held at MSU featuring ASEAN countries sees a large turnout of students dressed in traditional Korean costume.

The opening of the new Sejong Center should raise the profile of the Korean Studies courses resulting in an increase in student numbers. It is also a valuable addition to the international look Mahasarakham University is rapidly developing.

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.

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MSU FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND ANIMAL SCIENCE PROACTIVE IN THE FIELD

MSU Faculty of Veterinarian Medicine and Animal Science students have been providing free consultations and vaccinations for the pets of residents of the Sri Khan and Kantarawichai districts.

Veterinary medicine students have travelled to villages in the animal ambulance to provide free medical examinations, treatments and vaccinations to the local pet and livestock population.

The field trips promote community awareness of the animal ambulance service, animal health care, the need for protection against animal diseases and to provide information on how people can access health care for their livestock and pets.

The proactive program provides clinical practise for current students as well as promoting the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science to possible new student recruits.

The animal ambulance will be in operation travelling to local communities throughout 2012 treating animals providing free vaccinations against rabies, Lacan’s disease and parasitic and allergic skin diseases. 

MSU HOSTS 2012 ORACLE THINKQUEST INSTRUCTOR TRAINING ACADEMY

On February 24 and 25 MSU Faculty of Informatics hosted a two day Oracle Academy Instructor Training workshop and seminar for representatives of over twenty Thai educational institutions involved in the 2012 Oracle ThinkQuest Competition.

The ThinkQuest competition is a world wide digital media competition in which students can compete in cyberspace with students from around the world. Three categories of events are held, website development, online journalism (photography, animation, video etc.) or interactive game development.

The ThinkQuest competition aids students in digital technology development which can be integrated into classroom curricula and results entered in the competition with assistance from the Oracle ThinkQuest Education Foundation and Oracle Corporation (Thailand).

The workshop and seminar was organised to provide information on using Oracle Database systems, courses using Oracle as a guide, how to set up Oracle (digital) Classrooms and how to integrate these elements into normal educational courses. The seminar was addressed by trained Oracle Academy Instructors.

MSU FACULTY OF PHARMACY STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AWARDS

On February 19 students from MSU Faculty of Pharmacy students were presented with two national Pharmaceutical Research Awards for outstanding community research.

The awards were presented at the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Community Pharmacy (Thailand) on behalf of the Foundation for Community Pharmacy and the Pharmaceutical Forum (Thailand) and the Federation of Thai Pharmaceutical Students. The awards ceremony was held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition and Conference Centre.

MSU Faculty of Pharmacy was the second faculty in Thailand to offer the PharmD degree curriculum which delivers a high quality scientific and technical education in Pharmacy. 

Besides offering under and post graduate courses in Pharmacy, the faculty also offers Masters level courses in Medicinal Plants and natural products.

Research fields also include Thai herbal medicinal and natural products as well as the innovation and development of practical health care programs and policies aimed towards the creation of healthy communities.

MSU HOSTS UNIVERSITY OF TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA (UTM) VISIT FOR URBAN DESIGN WORKSHOP

On February 17 MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Sujin Butdiswain and Associate Dean of Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning and Creative Arts Dr. Tarawat Boonlua held a reception welcoming executives and undergraduate year three and four students from the Faculty of Built Environment, University of Teknologi, Malaysia (UTM).

The visit is part of continuing exchanges between the two faculties through the Urban Design and Conservation Research Units of the respective universities.

Before the reception architecture students from MSU and UTM met to exchange ideas and knowledge on community conservation projects to be outsourced and/or implemented in both Malaysia and Thailand.

The ongoing program provides opportunities for the students to design and create projects or programs which are put into actual practice.

At the reception held at the MSU Historical Village the guests from UTM were entertained with traditional cultural dance and provided with a historical perspective on the original traditional Isan houses which are situated around the central reception area.

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.

MSU DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS TRAINS VOLUNTEER STUDENTS IN RADIO

On February 15 twenty MSU students met before commencing a training program in radio techniques. MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Sujin Butdiswan (pictured bottom left) presided over the meeting.

The program has been developed by the MSU Division of Student Affairs and will train students in radio techniques for the purpose of informing and promoting the work and activities of the Department of Student Affairs from Mahasarakham University’s radio station, Thai Fm 93.75.

The students will be professionally trained in all aspects of radio production including news gathering, news reading, live and recorded interviewing techniques and creative broadcasting.

They will also be trained in behind the scenes production of radio shows. MSU has its own radio station as well as its own television station. Both transmit to audiences not only Maha Sarakham Province but also have feeds picked up and retransmitted in other Isan provinces.

The training will see MSU students kept up to date on news and events happening both on and off campus by fellow students enabling a more successful communication connection through engagement with their peers.

MSU PUBLIC RELATIONS STUDENTS RAISE ENERGY AWARENESS

On February 1 MSU School of Journalism Students majoring in Public Relations partook in a one day publicity campaign project named Energy: Power House.

Held outside and around the grounds of the Faculty of Informatics the campaign targeted students and in turn their families in raising awareness and creating a positive attitude to energy saving.

The campaign included raising awareness through music, comedy and a game/quiz show. Students also took to the MSU trams to promote their campaign show using loudspeakers and banners especially created for the campaign.

The campaign seemed to be successful as a large crowd of students and faculty members were drawn to hear, see and receive the Energy: Power House message broadcast by the School of Journalism students.

DR PRAPAIRAT SEEPHONKAI RECEIVES ENDEAVOUR RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Dr Prapairat Seephonkai (pictured left) from MSU Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry has been awarded an Endeavour Research Fellowship Award to continue her research at the University of Wollongong.

Besides her teaching duties, Dr Prapairat  researches the natural product chemistry of bioactive compounds from plants, medicinal herbs and microorganisms as part of the MSU Natural Products Research Group.

The merit based Endeavour Awards are awarded by the Australian Government and administered by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). They provide opportunities for study, research and professional development for awardees from the Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe and the Americas.

Dr. Prapairat was one of twenty seven people from Thailand awarded an Endeavour Scholarship. There were twenty Endeavour Awards, three Australian Leadership Awards Scholarships (ALAS) and four Australian Leadership Awards Fellowships (ALAF).

 Along with her family she attended a reception for Thai Endeavour Awardees hosted by the Australian Consulate at the Grande Sheraton Sukhumvit Hotel in Bangkok on January 12.

Dr. Prapairat will undertake post doctoral research in natural product chemistry at the University of Wollongong for a period of six months commencing in May this year.

Click here for information on Endeavour Awards

NEW BAMBOO ECO FIBRE PROJECT AWARDED 100,000 BAHT GRANT

In October last year applications were called for product projects developed within faculties at MSU to apply for one of seven one hundred thousand baht grants for commercial development.

One such successful product is a range of bamboo textile fabrics developed by a team from the new Faculty of Culture (previously the North Eastern Institute of Art and Culture).

Project team leader and physicist Assistant Professor Ms Sisika Wanchan and her team including Ms Charanya Chanlakon, Mrs Pradit THongbeau and Mrs Chusri Takiangrum have developed commercially viable bamboo fibre textile products. 

The team has been awarded one of the hundred thousand baht grants to market the Bamboo Fibre Health Care Fabric products with the assistance of the MSU Business Incubation Centre.

The bamboo eco-fibre has been passed by the Japanese Textile Inspection Association. Benefits of this fibre includes non-static charge properties, it absorbs infra red light which is released to stimulate circulation and metabolism, it contains micro gaps which keeps the wearer cool and comfortable in hot weather and also acts as an insulator in cold weather.

The bamboo fibre products are allergy free as the complete production process uses no pesticides or toxic chemicals. Products include blankets, pillows, shawls and textile by the metre.

MSU VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS & RESEARCH DR. PREECHA PRATHEPA GRANTED FULL PROFESSORSHIP

On January 24 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito had the pleasure of congratulating MSU Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research Professor Dr. Dr. Preecha Prathepha on attaining the status of full professor.

Dr. Preecha was appointed a full professor in genetics in the field of Biotechnology. The announcement was officially published by the Prime Minister in the Government Gazette on January 11. Only four other civil servants were appointed professors of higher educational institutions in the announcement. Besides being Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Preecha is now a full professor in the field of genetics, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology at MSU.

Professor Dr. Preecha is to be congratulated on his dedication and hard work in achieving his professorship. He provides a fine example to current and future students of Mahasarakham University.

Dr. Supachai and the full executive committee of Mahasarakham University were on hand to heartily congratulate Dr. Preecha in a ceremony held in the conference room of the President’s building.

CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE AT MSU CELEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR (OF THE DRAGON)

On January 21 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito attended Chinese New Year festivities at the invitation of MSU Confucius Institute Director Mr. Lin Haoye.

Chinese New Year is traditionally the most important holiday in China and marks the start of the fifteen day Spring Festival. As the Chinese calendar is lunar based, the day upon which New Year falls varies from year to year. 

This year Chinese New Year falls on January 23 and in 2013 will fall on February 10. Thai and Chinese students alike joined in the New Year celebrations for the Year of the Dragon held at the Confucius Institute Cultural Center located on the old campus in downtown Mahasarakham.

The popular Confucius Institute has now been in operation at MSU for five years, having celebrated this milestone in December. 

MSU HOLDS HUGE NEW YEARS EVE PARTY

On December 29 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito on behalf of Mahasarakham University hosted a New Years Eve Party for all MSU personnel in the forecourt in front of the President’s building.

The celebration is traditionally held a few days before New Year so people can travel back to their homes to spend the New Year holidays with family.

The theme of the evening was ASEAN, promoting unity and the sharing of cultural heritage at all levels throughout the MSU community. A highlight of the evening was the competition for the best Assocaiation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) costume with many MSU personnel dressing up in traditional costumes of one of the ten ASEAN countries.

Dr. Supachai thanked all MSU personnel for their efforts this year and handed out new year’s gifts. Many prizes were won in the free raffle and all partook in an evening of plenty of fine food, fun and frivolity.

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