LAND ON MSU OLD CAMPUS DEVELOPED FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

On March 3 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito inspected a new area on the old MSU camps which has been developed as a research unit for sufficiency in the sustainable development of vegetables.

Although the area may look like simply a large vegetable patch it will be used for practical research and development for MSU student studies of sustainable and continuously productive vegetable crop development.

Vegetables grown include papaya, sweet corn, sunflowers, rice, marsh peas and lemons.

The area is not only for student’s education. New research, agricultural integrated farming processes and local knowledge will be shared with the general community around the province.

The area is also designed as recreation and rest area.

MSU CONFERENCE ON STUDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Between September 9 and 11 Mahasarakham University Division of Student Affairs in collaboration with MSU Student Development Office held a three day seminar and conference pertaining to the future organisation and development of MSU Student organisations at the Golden Gold Resort and Spa in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat).

MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito presided over the opening of the Student Leadership Development Conference at which reports of the previous year’s student organisation’s activities were provided, budgets reported and allocations given.

 Mahasarakham University believes it is good corporate management to engage with and include student representatives of their respective organisations in the process. The conference aims to discuss, develop and share in knowledge to provide the best and most equitable outcomes for the future needs of MSU students.

This attitude of sharing knowledge cultivates leadership, good organisation and planning for future student projects from within student organisations. MSU student organisations are very community minded and projects designed for the improved education, knowledge sharing and benefit of the general Isan community are evident in most programs MSU student organisations plan and execute. Too many to name individually, faculty or student organisations provide benefit to many different parts of Isan. It is also evident in many programs the students are very aware and mindful of the promotion and development of   HM King Bhumibol’s self sufficiency economy model.

The inclusiveness shown by Mahasarakham University through planning and sharing of knowledge at the all the way from the President through to the student base illustrates the strength of community awareness within MSU management. This inclusiveness will no doubt be passed on to the outside general community through the future deeds of the student organisations. It is from seminars such as this a successful future for both Mahasarakham University and the general population can be assured.

ONE UNIVERSITY, ONE PROVINCE PROJECT AT BAN HUAY SUN

On April 19 MSU Vice President for Special Affairs Suracha Amornpan opened a community service project at Ban Huay Sun in the Kantawaricha district. The project comes under the national initiative of ‘One University, One Province’, a program aiming to create sustainable development at a community level.

The program commencing at Ban Huay Sun includes the utilisation of the transfer of academic knowledge from the MSU Faculty of Science to the grass roots level. It encourages and teaches local community members in household management revenue, organic vegetable farming and the production of charcoal briquettes.

Surplus produce will be sold at the MSU markets in an effort to increase income and alleviate debt.

The initiative is an extension of the popular and well accepted King’s sufficiency economy philosophy. More than one hundred people attended demonstrations at the event which should ensure the program gets off to a flying start. ... more pics

NORTH EAST THAILAND TOURISM SEMINAR

On February 23 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito and Makasarakham Province Governor Thong Thawi Pimsen co-chaired the opening ceremony of a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) conference held at the Takisila Hotel, Mahasarakham.

The conference  ‘ The Adjustment of the Tourism Industry in North East Thailand in a Changing World’ attracted more than two hundred participants from all sectors of the tourist industry. The Dean of MSU Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management  Surachet Chethanat  noted in his speech the importance of orientating academic practice towards the creation of environmentally sustainable tourism. He also informed the delegates of the critical role tourism plays in the economic and social development of the north east of Thailand.

Mahasarakham Province Governor Thong Thawi Pimsen told the audience tourism is a service industry which needs to have management systems with the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the tourism market. There also needs to be awareness within this system of the social, economic and environmental links which must be integrated into the growing future of the rich tourism resources available for development in the region as a whole.

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MSU ACADEMIC SERVICES LINKING WITH COMMUNITY PROJECTS

On February 21 MSU Divisions of Research Promotion and Academic Services held a signing ceremony of the ‘Promotion and Preservation Project’ MOU between Mahasarakham communities and MSU in line with the national focus on academic relationships with communities.

MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito  and  Vice President for Academic Research, Dr. Preecha Prathepha headed the MSU representatives present at the signing.

The MOU aims to fulfill one of the mission statements of MSU in creating links between communities, their leaders, the corporate and community sectors to create social fairness and reduce social inequalities in and between local communities through education and sustainable self development.

Available under the MOU is funding for twenty-eight projects  under the MOU Working Group involving thirty-six community areas in Maha Sarakham Province. The involvement of Mahasarakham University is not confined only to Maha Sarakham Province. The ‘Promotion and Preservation Project’ also involves projects in Mukdahan, Kalasin and Roi Et Provinces. .... more pics