Chulalongkorn Students Host 15th EU in Thailand National Inter-Varsity Debating Championship

The Chulalongkorn University Debating Society supervised by the Office of Student Affairs Chulalongkorn University hosted the 15th EU in Thailand National Inter-Varsity Debating Championship on January 27 – 30, 2024, at Chulalongkorn University Secondary Demonstration School. The championship round and award ceremony were held on January 30, 2024, at Room 307, Pinit Prachanat Building, Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, and was presided over by Asst. Prof. Dr. Chaiyaporn Puprasert, Vice President for Student Affairs. Recipients of awards are as follow:

Chula 1 and Chula 3 reached the University Semifinalists round. For Chula 1 consisted of Miss Torpad Payungtham, Mr. Aaron Luke Reyes Nuqui, and Mr. Bunyapiwat Somboonsap. Moreover, Chula 3 consisted of Mr. Jirayu Leesuwattanakul, Miss Natamon Umbhindhu, and Miss Phornwarat Komolrojanaphorn.

Chula 2 was the runner-up in the Novice University Grand Finalists round. The team consisted of Miss Thiya Rungruang, Mr. Apichak Tantirassami, and Miss Meenwadee Wassasiri.

Miss Natamon Umbhindhu placed 8th for Best Reply Speaker.

Mr. Jirayu Leesuwattanakul placed 9th for Best University Speaker.

Mr. Aaron Luke Reyes Nuqui placed 6th for Best University Speaker.

Miss Phornwarat Komolrojanaphorn placed 2nd for Best University Speaker.

Miss Phornwarat Komolrojanaphorn placed 9th for Overall Best Speaker.

Miss Pantari Rattanasampan placed 7th for Best Adjudicator.

The 15th EU in Thailand National Inter-Varsity Debating Championship was organized with Mr. Chanakan Wittayasakpan, graduate student at Chulalongkorn’s Faculty of Arts, Mr. Chayathorn Sapchawaroj, graduate student at the Faculty of Economics, and Miss Nattaya Jaruwekin, graduate of Chulalongkorn Business School, as the leaders of the project. The competition aims to promote English debate among Chulalongkorn students and students all over Thailand, to allow those interested to compete, to exchange knowledge and experience, and to bolster Chulalongkorn University’s reputation and role in the national debate circle.

The English debate competition is held in 4 categories, namely University, Novice University, High School, and Novice High School, as well as a competition for the adjudicators. 52 teams, comprising 156 debaters and 60 judges, participated in this year’s competition. The themes for the debate involve political, economic, and social issues related to the European Union, e.g., media presentation about refugees, international trade, and the power of the European Union on the global stage. The topics are not revealed to the debaters in advance. In each round, the debaters have 30 minutes to prepare once the topic is announced.

As head of the event, Chanakan Wittayasakpan said that apart from the Chulalongkorn students who competed as debaters and judges, there are 25 other students working as coordinators. What students gained from organizing this English debate competition is awareness of social, economic, environmental, and ethical issues around the world and problem-solving skills through debates. They also developed their English communication skills, logical persuasive speech, and teamwork, as well as built networks and positive relationships with participants from educational institutions around the country. The experience gained from organizing the event, including communication and leadership, can be applied to their future endeavors.

For the full release and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/152124/

National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» joins the 3SI Scientific and Educational Platform

Four leading Ukrainian higher education institutions, including the National Technical University «KhPI», signed a Memorandum on the creation of the Scientific and Educational Platform «Three Seas Initiative – Ukraine». The event took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine (Kyiv). It is expected that cooperation in the implementation of the agreement will contribute to the intensification of research and development, start-up movement, as well as the involvement of other universities, research institutes, business structures, etc. In this way, additional preconditions will be created for Ukraine’s accelerated integration into the European Union.

The Memorandum of Cooperation in Scientific and Educational Activities «3SI» defines four higher education institutions of Ukraine as partners: Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Rector Volodymyr Bugrov); Lviv Polytechnic National University (Rector Yurii Bobalo); National University «Odesa Maritime Academy» (Rector Mykhaylo Miyusov); National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» (Rector Yevgen Sokol). A party to the Memorandum was also the Three Seas Initiative – Ukraine Public Platform (President Andriy Smorodin). Through the creation and development of the Three Seas Initiative – Ukraine Scientific and Educational Platform, the Ukrainian scientific school will be able to integrate into the interstate «3SI» (Three Seas Initiative). The purpose of the association is to intensify of research and development, start-up movement, and involvement of other higher education institutions, research institutes, business structures, etc. In this way, additional prerequisites will be created for Ukraine’s accelerated integration into the European Union, and the strategic role of «3SI» in globalisation processes will be increased through cooperation with Ukraine.

In his speech, professor Yevgen Sokol, Rector of NTU «KhPI», spoke about the successful implementation of the DSG:2 double diploma programme. This project has been implemented since 2022 by the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» and the Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg (OVGU) (Germany). The programme allows Ukrainian applicants who are refugees in Germany to enter NTU «KhPI» and OVGU simultaneously, and after good studies, receive two diplomas: of the Ukrainian and German partner universities. Yevgen Sokol noted that today Kharkiv Polytechnic is the only Ukrainian university which offers applicants to enter the 1st year of bachelor’s degree programme in the specialities agreed upon by the joint programme with OVGU. According to rector Yevgen Sokol, Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute has a lot to offer to the «Three Seas Initiative – Ukraine» Scientific and Educational Platform in the field of energy, railway transport, electromagnetic compatibility, lightning protection, etc.

Fifteen Ukrainian universities have already responded to the call to support this association. This was announced by Hryhorii Mozolevych, Director General of the Directorate for Science Development at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. He clarified that the ideas and projects submitted by the universities include topical issues that Ukraine is currently facing, in addition to security, such as economic acceleration. «On the other hand, given the current difficult demographic situation, it will be important to create opportunities for Ukrainian scientists to work on international projects while staying in Ukraine,» said Hryhorii Mozolevych.

Andrii Smorodin, President of the «Three Seas Initiative – Ukraine» Public Platform, sees science as the way to Ukraine’s real European integration: «We want to be leaders in the «3SI» at least at the level of education and science».

The platform for signing the Memorandum on the creation of the Scientific and Educational Platform «Three Seas Initiative – Ukraine» was provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, which is the driving force of the «3SI». The international event was attended by representatives of Latvia and Lithuania, member countries of the «Three Seas Initiative». The discussion was joined by representatives of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian people’s deputies, scientists, industry and international experts, and businessmen. The scientific and educational platform will be presented at the next «3SI» Summit and Business Forum to be held in Vilnius on 11 April 2024.

Note:

«The Three Seas Initiative» (3SI) is an international economic and infrastructure initiative that brings together 13 European Union countries located near the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas. At the end of 2023, Ukraine became an associate member of the «Three Seas Initiative». Within the framework of the Initiative, member countries supported Ukraine’s efforts to join the EU.

Based on the materials: https://knu.ua/news/13146

Photos: Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Communications Centre

Green-to-Red Transformation of Euglena gracilis Using Bonito Stock and Intense Red Light

Euglena gracilis, often regarded as a “superfood,” is a promising microalga with many health and nutritional benefits. In a recent study, researchers from Japan found an efficient and low-resource approach to trigger a reddening reaction in E. gracilis using red light and a bonito fish-based culture medium. This reaction is a sign of higher and diverse carotenoid content ratio, meaning the proposed method could help turn E. gracilis into an even more nutritious food source.

Over the past few years, people have generally become more conscious about the food they consume. Thanks to easier access to information as well as public health campaigns and media coverage, people are more aware of how nutrition ties in with both health benefits and chronic diseases. As a result, there is an ongoing cultural shift in most countries, with people prioritizing eating healthily. In turn, the demand for healthier food options and nutritional supplements is steadily growing.

In line with these changes, Assistant Professor Kyohei Yamashita from Tokyo University of Science (TUS), Japan, has been studying a promising “superfood” called Euglena gracilis for over half a decade. A species of edible microalgae, E. gracilis has a rich nutritional profile, with a unique combination of vitamins, fibers, lipids, and proteins. Like most other photosynthetic plants, E. gracilis also contains carotenoids—natural substances with a wide variety of health benefits.

In a study published in 2023, a research team from TUS found a simple method to efficiently grow E. gracilis in an inexpensive medium (solid or liquid that contains nutrients and is used to grow bacteria) based on tomato juice. Now, in a new study, the researchers have explored a promising technique to make cultured E. gracilis produce carotenoids at a higher rate, rendering it even more nutritious. This study, which was co-authored by Dr. Kengo Suzuki from Euglena Co., Ltd., as well as Professor Tatsuya Tomo and Professor Eiji Tokunaga from TUS, was published in Volume 13, Issue 4 of the journal Plants in February 12, 2024.

The proposed approach is quite straightforward, and so is its rationale. When a plant is exposed to high-intensity light for extended periods of time, it undergoes a light-stress response. This, in turn, can cause the organism to produce molecules that protect it from further light exposure, including carotenoids. Based on these facts, the researchers investigated whether they could induce such a reaction in E. gracilis to enhance its carotenoid content ratio.

To this end, the team ran a series of experiments on multiple batches of cultured E. gracilis. They exposed cultures to light of different wavelengths (or colors) and at different intensities looking for a “reddening reaction,” which is a tell-tale sign of higher carotenoid production in many plant species. Moreover, they also tested a new culture medium based on bonito stock, a soup stock extracted from Katsuobushi, a traditional Japanese dish made from smoked bonito fish.

Interestingly, the researchers found that strong red-light irradiation at 605–660 nm triggered a reddening reaction in E. gracilis when cultured in bonito stock. They also looked at the chemical profiles of the cultures using high-performance liquid chromatography, both at the culture and single-cell level. These analyses revealed that reddened cells not only had a high concentration of diadinoxanthin, the most abundant carotenoid in E. gracilis, but also produced an unidentified xanthophyll-type carotenoid. On top of these, the team also noted that bonito stock cultures grew quicker and reached higher densities than cultures grown on conventional media, and likely produced more types or amounts of carotenoids.

Together, the results of this study could pave the way for an innovative and easily scalable technique for growing nutritious E. gracilis. The method’s simplicity is certainly one of its strengths, as Dr. Yamashita remarks, “Our approach does not involve genetic modifications and could thus be readily adopted by the food industry to expand the use of E. gracilis, both in food and as a nutritional supplement.” Notably, bonito stock is a nutritious food and using it in the culture medium would, therefore, provide additional health benefits.

Aside from its benefits to us humans, growing E. gracilis can also help the environment. “E. gracilis cultivation, which requires relatively few resources, can be a sustainable food resource,” explains Dr. Yamashita. “Our research marks an important step toward the development of new food technologies that contribute to people’s lives from both health and environmental perspectives.”

With the carotenoid market poised to become a multi-billion-dollar industry by 2030, this study will help deepen our understanding of carotenoid biosynthetic pathways, hopefully leading to the development of sustainable practices in the production of nutritional supplements and emerging foods.

Scientific and Technological Park and Hall opens at Asfendiyarov KazNMU

On the eve of Science Day, the grand opening of the Albina Leonovna Kotova Hall and the KazNMU Science and Technology Park took place.

The idea of launching the Technopark was implemented in accordance with the instructions of the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, regarding the importance of systematic development of university science, integration of innovative technologies into the economy, and the establishment of business incubators, commercialization centers, technoparks, and design bureaus in the country\’s universities. The KazNMU Technopark will serve as a catalyst for innovation in the medical field and the enhancement of education in healthcare. This strategic initiative aims not only to support and promote the development of advanced technologies and research in medicine but also to improve the quality of education in this area, strengthening Kazakhstan\’s position in the field of medical science, practice, and education.

On the eve of Science Day took place the grand opening of the Albina Leonovna Kotova Hall and the KazNMU Science and Technology Park.

The idea of launching the Technopark was implemented in accordance with the instructions of the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, regarding the importance of systematic development of university science, integration of innovative technologies into the economy, and the establishment of business incubators, commercialization centers, technoparks, and design bureaus in the country’s universities. The KazNMU Technopark will serve as a catalyst for innovation in the medical field and the enhancement of education in healthcare. This strategic initiative aims not only to support and promote the development of advanced technologies and research in medicine but also to improve the quality of education in this area, strengthening Kazakhstan’s position in the field of medical science, practice, and education.

The Technopark at the Kazakh National Medical University represents an innovative hub that will bring together academic and scientific resources with industrial and commercial opportunities. This facility will foster collaboration among academic and research groups, startups, pharmaceutical companies, and other participants in the innovation ecosystem. The opening of the KazNMU Technopark marks an important step in the development of medical education and science in Kazakhstan, strengthening the country’s role in the global community of scientific and medical innovations and reaffirming our commitment to excellence in education and innovation.

Korea University professor receives Aaron T. Beck Distinguished Research Award

On March 2 (Sat), Professor Choi Kee-hong from the School of Psychology, Korea University, received the Aaron T. Beck Distinguished Research Award at the 8th Asian CBT Congress held at the All India Institutes of Medical Science (AIIMS) in India.

The Beck Institute, established by Dr. Aaron Beck who is regarded as the father of cognitive therapy, and the World Confederation of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (WCCBT) decided to recognize researchers in Asia at the congress who have been most active in conducting research on cognitive behavioral therapy by presenting them with the Aaron T. Beck Distinguished Research award from Asia.

Professor Choi, who also leads the KU Mind Health Institute, oversaw the 10th WCCBT in June 2023 as a co-chairperson of the organizing committee together with Professor Chung Kyong-mee at Yonsei University. The conference, co-hosted by the Korean Clinical Psychology Association and the Korean Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, was successful to promote the status of cognitive behavioral therapy in Korea to the world. With Professor Choi receiving the award this time, it was reaffirmed that Korea has heightened its status in the field of cognitive behavioral therapy in Asia.

“Cognitive behavioral therapy is scientifically proven to be most effective in treating people who have a mental illness, and to properly provide the therapy to patients, it is important that therapists are equipped with required skills and expertise,” said Professor Choi during his acceptance speech. He added, “Many Asian countries including Korea have already acknowledged the dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy as one of the national mental health policy tasks, but the system should be overhauled and revamped so that only therapists who complete disciplined training and education are allowed to provide cognitive behavioral therapy to patients. I will take this award as a carrot for me to encourage myself, as a researcher and clinician, to strive to disseminate cognitive behavioral therapy in Korea.”

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychological treatment that has been regarded as most effective in dealing with a wide range of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy, recognized as a scientifically proven treatment, is provided as a primary therapy for mental illnesses in those countries with advanced mental health service systems such as the USA, the UK, Canada, and Australia.

Improving female inclusion in business education

Amy Major longs for a day when there wouldn’t be a need to report a board’s gender diversity. As the MBA programme director at Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, she believes business schools need to reach parity so that the future ‘homes’ of power, governments and company boards, will have everyone at the table.

Women’s MBA enrolment in the US hit a historic rate of 42 percent last year, according to new research from the Forté Foundation. Several US business schools achieved a gender balance in their MBA cohorts, and this is growing year-on-year.

Female representation is also growing in business leadership positions around the world, with women now occupying 42 percent of the board seats at big UK firms. However, of the FTSE 100 CEOs, just 10 are women.

Equality is beneficial to everyone

Across numerous studies, gender parity has been found to increase corporate success. It allows for enhanced decision-making, increased innovation and provides better financial outcomes. By embracing diverse perspectives in the boardroom, a company is strengthened. At a macro level, nations with gender parity in leading roles tend to be more competitive on the global stage.

Making the professional world more inclusive starts with higher education. Business schools can encourage this diversity by being an arena for dialogue, learning and a source of inspiration, explains Karen Spens, President of BI Norwegian Business School.

“Business schools are in a unique position to impact decision-making both in business and politics through cutting-edge research, knowledge sharing and educating future leaders,” she says.

Over the past few years, business schools like BI have launched initiatives to encourage gender parity in their programmes. As a result, BI has seen a significant increase in the number of female applicants: female full-time students currently stand at 47 percent and 64 percent for executive courses – significantly above average.

Problems facing female MBA candidates

Finding a solution to a complex problem first requires understanding the problem. Leila Guerra, Vice Dean at Imperial College Business School, has first-hand experience of the challenges faced by women in business.

“As with many other leaders, I’ve experienced my fair share of unfortunate, personal and professional experiences that were influenced or shaped by my gender, language or nationality. Situations that make you aware of the change that is needed,” she says.

“As a person, I believe change needs to start with you and those around you. As a lawyer, I’ve always felt compelled to call these situations out and ensure actions are taken.”

In her current role, Guerra has played a significant part in shaping Imperial College Business School’s approach. Female applications to the school’s full-time MBA have been steady at around 40 percent for the past eight years. This is helped by the steps Imperial has taken to address the barriers women face while studying for their MBA.

However, the path to equality is a long road – one that Guerra views as a marathon that requires commitment, drive and energy.

‘Women face familial trade-offs more directly’

Family obligations are a common restriction. While MBA programmes require years of work experience, pursuing one is a choice that arises at a point in life when women may have other aspirations, says Isabelle Huault, Executive President and Dean of emlyon business school, in Lyon, France.

“It’s also true that women often face these tradeoffs more directly,” adds Delphine Manceau, Dean of NEOMA Business School. “Combining a successful professional life with family quality time and new study commitments to an MBA programme adds a new challenge to an already busy period in life.”

For all genders, leadership should be compatible with having a fulfilling personal and family life, says Manceau. NEOMA believes that being a committed and inspiring leader requires a good balance between professional and personal lives. “The two dimensions nourish each other,” she says.

To support its Executive MBA candidates, NEOMA has developed a programme structure that is compatible with a balanced personal life, with options such as online courses, part-time modalities and adapted class schedules.

Major has personally seen the impact the decision to have children can have on a women’s career. “My mother used to tell me how she stopped her career as she didn’t have the support network to continue,” says Major

“She instilled in me that if I wanted to continue the career ladder, I shouldn’t let anything stop me. Female applicants to Saïd Business School have now reached 51 percent.

“Working at Saïd Business School, I am passionate about our work in supporting women to achieve their potential, and becoming a mother has really fuelled that passion.”

Lack of female representation in MBAs

Another problem is a lack of female role models in leadership positions or among MBA graduates.
“Women have historically been underrepresented in business programmes and especially in finance and tech courses,” says Spens. “Gender stereotypes and a lack of role models may explain why fewer women traditionally have pursued a business education.”

Posting content that doesn’t overlook the difficulties, but demonstrates the value of pursuing an MBA, will inspire future female students and encourage their participation.

“It can be truly inspiring to hear from global female CEOs, but to also hear stories of students or recent alumnae is what gives women the ‘aha’ moment of ‘that could be me too’,” says Major. “Students also need to see the faculty who are researching this work. Saïd Business School is making great strides in increasing female faculty representation.”

While women may have the capacity to reach top leadership positions, they may be deterred by self-censorship, spurred by a lack of self-confidence, Huault explains. That’s why the development of gender awareness in executive committees and boards is important.

Emlyon places a emphasis on highlighting inspiring stories and successful journeys of women, as this is the most effective way to encourage other women to pursue ambitious paths. This has strengthened the presence of women within its leadership team – female leaders have been running the MBA programme since 2014.

NEOMA also believes in leading by example, particularly when it comes to women in leadership positions. Today, the France-based school boasts a 48 percent female faculty, despite Manceau repeatedly being told that this isn’t possible as there were supposedly fewer female candidates.

“It’s essential to challenge established models and to question assertions that some things are impossible,” says Manceau. “We must lead by example and highlight women who have faced this challenge before.”

Financial deterrents

A third issue that often prevents women from pursuing an MBA is a lack of funding. Additionally, the return on investment of an MBA over the long term might be seen as more uncertain for women because of gender pay gaps and imbalances in the business world.

To reduce the financial burden of studying for an MBA, many schools now offer financial aid in the form of grants and scholarships specifically targeted at women.

BI, for example, has initiated a set of measures including scholarships and a network for female finance students. These scholarships have a preference towards women, minorities and those working in non-profit organisations.

In 2021, two of its full-time MBA students won the prestigious Edie Hunt Inspiration Award,. offered by the Forté Foundation, which recognises women who have gone above and beyond to help advance other women into business leadership positions.

However, as well as helping funding, Guerra suggests that the higher education sector should do more to address the gender pay gap. “MBA rankings should include more information on the gender pay gap experienced by MBA graduates so that active actions can be taken by schools, students and companies,” she says.

How can business schools increase gender parity?

The challenges facing female MBA applicants and students are vast and complicated, made up of a series of societal, political and economic factors.

The fact is, the more women there are in MBA programmes, the more women will become leaders. The more people are sensitised to the issue of gender parity and equality, including men, the less we will encounter such inequality, explains Huault.

To devise a solution, business schools must create a strategy that encompasses academic, experiential and personal elements. These must include the whole community, not just female students, Guerra explains.

Business schools should avoid treating it as a ‘tick box’ exercise or a KPI. This is a human problem, so the solutions should be approached with empathy, authenticity and care.

“Achieving gender parity in MBA programmes has an impact that goes beyond the business school community and its students, increasing the platform for change and the creation of new business practices and policies,” says Guerra.

To address the issue of gender inequality in MBA programmes, aim high, Spens concludes: “Even if you start small, think big. Small initiatives can have a big impact for someone.”

Read more articles like this from QS Insights Magazine, Issue 15. 

Kyiv Polytechnic students win silver, bronze awards at International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia

The International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology, I-FEST² 2024, took place in Mahdia, Tunisia, on March 22-28. This year the event featured more than 500 scientific and engineering projects hailing from nearly 40 countries, competing across eight categories.

Notably, Anhelina Dromova, a student at the Faculty of Radio Engineering of Ukraine’s Igor Sikorksy Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI), won a silver award for her research on satellite television signals and ways of improving the quality of the received signal. Danyil Dorosh, student at the KPI Institute of Physics and Technology, received a bronze award.

I-FEST² is a nine-day festival organized by ATAST, the Tunisian Association for the future of Science and Technology, open to all students between the ages of 14 and 24.

It is worth noting too that Anastasiia Kurulenko, a student at the KPI Polytechnic Lyceum, earned a bronze award at last year’s I-FEST². Kurulenko’s scientific project is a program developed to identify risk groups for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Specifically, the software system is based on 10 most important cardiovascular risk factors. Patients undergoing testing are divided into high, medium, and low risk groups. The user who conducts the survey gets the pie chart automatically generated by the Kurulenko’s program, which shows the percentage of people in three risk groups.

For the KPI, knowledge epitomizes power. It is the university of innovative ideas and promising projects. KPI students’ achievements continue to infuse zest and optimism in spite of Russia’s heinous aggression against Ukraine.

Layered corneal transplant starts at KazNMU University Clinic

The Ophthalmological Clinic of the Center for Primary Health Care and Diagnostics of the Sanzhar Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University continues to successfully perform corneal transplant operations, the university’s press service reported.

The series of operations started in May last year. With the help of the Kazakhstan Khalkyna Public Foundation, the Ministry of Health and foreign partner companies, corneal transplants were revived in the country. Corneal transplantation or keratoplasty is the only way to restore vision for patients with serious pathologies: keratoconus, corneal ulcer, chemical and traumatic injuries and other pathologies.

At the same time, it is usually impossible to delay the transfer. With the support of the Kazakhstan Khalkyna Public Foundation, 304 corneal transplants were planned, the total cost of the program is 373 350 280 tenge. In less than a year, 116 operations have already been performed at the KazNMU University Clinic.

Ajman University is first private, non-profit university in UAE and Arab region awarded accreditation by WASC Senior College, University Commission (USA)

Ajman University has set a groundbreaking precedent by becoming the first private and non-profit university in the UAE and the entire Arab region to be awarded accreditation from WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a prestigious accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This historic achievement highlights the University’s commitment to delivering high-caliber education and marks a significant milestone in its journey towards global recognition and academic excellence.

WSCUC accreditation signifies an institution’s adherence to rigorous academic standards, commitment to continuous improvement, and dedication to fulfilling its mission while preparing students for life after graduation. It is a hallmark of distinction that assures students, parents, and different stakeholders of the University’s educational excellence and integrity. It also reflects the institution’s steadfast commitment to fostering an environment of equity and inclusion.

This accreditation is not just a badge of honor; it represents a commitment to quality that benefits every student and alum of Ajman University. It validates the University’s degrees on an international level, opens new avenues for global opportunities, and enhances the employability of graduates. For current and prospective students, this accreditation ensures that their education meets global standards, offering them an academic experience that is both enriching and recognized worldwide.

Reflecting on this momentous achievement, Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, stated, “This accreditation is a testament to Ajman University’s dedication to academic excellence and our commitment to nurturing future leaders. It reinforces our position at the forefront of educational innovation and our pledge to provide a transformative educational experience that empowers our students to thrive in a global context.”

Being awarded the esteemed WSCUC accreditation reaffirms Ajman University’s role as a pioneering institution in the region and its dedication to shaping a brighter future for its students, the community, and the wider world. It is noteworthy that Ajman University is also globally accredited at the institutional level by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) of the United Kingdom.

Thammasat law students win national championship in international humanitarian law mock trial competition

Students from the Faculty of Law, Thammasat University won the first prize in the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) mock trial competition organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Thailand (ICRC) and the Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University. The members of the Thammasat University competition team include Injin Khai, first year student of the Business Law major (International Program), Kanpitcha Rachasiha, second year student of Business Law major (International Program), and Thanakit Saeju, third year student of Business Law major (International Program)

The awards received are First Place Award, Best Memorial for Defendant Award and Best Mooter Award.

Understanding what is ‘Mock Trial Competition’

The mock trial competition is an activity that simulates court cases. Thanakit said that we have an opportunity to take on the role of an attorney for the plaintiff or defendant in that case. This activity is very beneficial to legal education as students will have the opportunity to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, as well as research skills on legal topics related to simulated cases. The International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition 2023 deals with international humanitarian law. The case must be presented and prepared in English. It promotes and develops students’ language skills also.

Sharing experiences from the mock trial competition

In this competition, Kanpitcha Rachasiha and Injin Khai participated in the competition as advocates and Thanakit Saeju participated in the competition as a researcher and petition drafter.

“Every team member has a responsibility to share their opinions and adapt the law to the facts to create a defense in the memorial brief. Researchers and petition drafters will help find more information including checking the content and overall orderliness of the summary statement. In addition, the advocate has a duty to present the defenses in the draft summary statement to the court orally,” Kanpitcha said.

Injin added that researching legal arguments can be quite challenging. This is because this year the issue is the law on armed conflict and naval warfare in which the team comprehensively prepared for the competition both conducting research and finding research information within a limited time. It is considered a key to the victory this time.

The feeling of winning the championship

“I feel so overwhelmed and grateful that I can’t put it into words. Every team member was extremely dedicated to this competition, even though every step of preparation was made under time pressure. However, receiving this award shows the success of our dedication and determination. And most importantly, it is a driving force for us to move forward fully in the mock trial competition in the future,” Kanpitcha said.