Tag: Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University has signed an academic agreement with NSTDA to share databases of the plagiarism check programs, Akkaravisut and the CopyCatch, to enhance duplication detection and prevent plagiarism of national research works.

Representatives of Chulalongkorn University, the Graduate School of Chulalongkorn University, and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)  signed the memorandum of understanding on “Plagiarism Check for Research Works (Akkharawisut program and CopyCatch program)”, at the Chaloem Rajakumari 60th Birthday Building,

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thammanoon Nuchak, Dean of the Graduate School of Chulalongkorn University, mentioned that Chulalongkorn University has developed the Akkaravisut program and provided access to educational institutions, government sectors and state enterprises. The program can be used to check plagiarism for research work free of charge. From 2014 until now, more than 150 educational agencies have collaborated with Chula Akkarawisut to share plagiarism check databases for thesis, journals, and articles.

The academic collaboration will also help build a network of cooperation between institutions that develop plagiarism check programs, strengthening academics and detect duplication of research articles.

Prof. Prasit Palittapongarnpim, Acting Deputy Director of the National Science and Technology Development Agency, said that NSTDA recognizes the importance of promoting awareness about plagiarism. In Thailand, Chula’s Akkharavisut program is currently the main program used to detect plagiarism. Since NSTDA’s CopyCatch program was developed at around the same time and thanks to advancement in technology, it is possible to link the two programs’ databases for plagiarism checks.  This academic collaboration is a good example of how databases can be linked for better use, Prof. Prasit concluded.

Nawin Pornkulwat, a second-year student from the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University has won first place in the French Speech Competition-French Language Excellence Program (higher education level).

Organized by the Department of French, Faculty of Arts, Silpakorn University, the designated topic was “Comment pourrait-on faire face au cyberharcèlement?” (How can we deal with cyberbullying?), which focused on raising awareness on cyberbullying and the effects on those involved.

Nawin explained that, for the competition, participants were asked to make a speech in French and record a video clip (no longer than 3 minutes) about cyberbullying. He added that with limited time to prepare, he began looking for information to better understand the process of cyberbullying. Then, he wrote a rough script and storyboard to be able to spontaneously add ideas.

The content presentation was divided into three issues: victims, perpetrators, and solutions, to raise awareness of violence and how to work together to prevent cyberbullying.  A deep understanding of the topic and confidence in communicating with the audience are two core techniques that Nawin believes contributed much to his success in this competition.

Having been interested in learning French since high school, Nawin has found French melodious and reflective of the cultural values ​​of France, despite being a difficult language to learn. Due to the structural complexity of the language, it is entirely different from Thai, especially in listening, because it must be understood immediately. He added that his strength is in writing because he can think, plan, check and correct the sentence structure, although it was still challenging.

Nawin dreams of becoming a French language teacher or having a French-related profession in the future because he would like to make the most of his language proficiency.  Currently, he works part-time as a French-language tutor for youngsters.

“Lastly, I want to tell all youngsters interested in learning French that they must spend time practicing speaking, reading, and writing regularly. This will help improve by leaps and bounds. Studying at the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, students are encouraged to fully learn and develop, with the help of teachers who provide knowledge and advice on learning. This makes learning French not so difficult anymore,” concluded Nawin.

Fourth-year BBA students from the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Chulalongkorn University, have won the Thailand Social Case Competition 2021.

Organized by AIESEC in Thailand, the competition was held to encourage students to present innovative and practical ideas to solve social problems in the country, while at the same time coming up with solutions that are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year 225 teams from 20 academic institutions joined the competition.

The “401 Consulting” team members included Miss Nattaya Jaruvekin, Miss Phimlaphas Munikanond, Miss Natrida Apairatana and Miss Pimlaplus Chatvattananon. In the first round, the team presented a business model that offered jobs for the homeless, which is a major issue in Thailand, and reduce food waste problems.

Miss Nattaya Jaruvekin revealed that in the final round, the team selected the case study from Nestlé (Thai) Ltd. to up-cycle the PET plastic water bottles into a new product that can benefit society. Turning plastic bottles into school uniforms is very challenging, but the competition has shed light on the real issues of plastic waste, the behaviour of plastic water bottle consumers, and the path of trash.

“We’re very proud that our efforts have added to the university’s name. The four of us have put a lot of effort in this competition.  With the positive results and the feasibility of our business plan, I think we have impressed the judges, making them see that our team deserved the winning prize. This competition has opened us to new knowledge, solving problems related to sustainability and inequality in society, as well as learning about the up-cycling system of PET bottles and up-cycled products”, Nattaya concluded.

The 3D Dog Eye Anatomy Model for Self–learning, an innovation by the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University (CU VET) recently received the Gold Award at the International Innovation Week Africa (IWA) 2020 in Rabat, Morocco.

This innovation was developed by Assoc. Prof. Pawana Chuesiri, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kriengyot Sajjacharoenpong, Mrs. Jantima Intarapanya of CU VET, and Krityoch Chuesiri a student of Chulalongkorn Demonstration Secondary School. This three-dimensional model of canine eye anatomy consists of the eyeballs, eyelids, lacrimal glands, extraocular muscles, and four sets of clearly visible nerves.

Asst.Prof. Pawana Chuesiri, one of the model’s developers, explained that this innovation was motivated by the limitations of using real animal eyes from cadavers in teaching CU VET students.  Being tiny, complex, and perishing quickly, these cadavers’ eyes make anatomy study difficult.  Moreover, when students lack skill and expertise in dissecting the eyes, they often cause damage to the critical structures making it impossible to reuse the organs.  These limitations may prevent students from thoroughly understanding the subject, hence this innovation.

The manufacturing process started with designing using a 3D program based on real dog eyes.  Then the molds of the components, which can be easily disassembled and reassembled, were printed on a 3D printer.  Different materials, i.e. resin, rubber, and plastic were chosen for their soft and flexible texture similar to the real eyeball, which were then cast and painted afterward.

“We designed the model like a jigsaw puzzle so that all aspects of the eye can be seen. Each eye can be taken apart in different dimensions to show both the outer and inner surfaces, as well as front and back. This allows all the nerves and muscles to be visible,” said Asst. Prof. Pawana.

Asst. Prof. Pawana continued that the highlight of this innovation is that it is a teaching tool that is larger than a real dog’s eye.  Each component is color-coded so both the outer and inner parts can be removed to be studied, then put back together like a jigsaw puzzle. The kit is made with quality material, is light-weight, durable, waterproof, safe, long-lasting, inexpensive, and easy to use.  The model will enable students to memorize the dog-eye structures more efficiently in place of real eyes.  It can also be used with a smartphone for self-study.

At present, this innovation has been used as a teaching tool for CU VET students to supplement or replace of scarce organs or cadavers that are preserved in formaldehyde.  It is safer to use and easier for students to review by themselves, by working with three-dimensional media programs in which they can scan the AR code through a computer, mobile phone, or tablet.

The future goal is to produce sufficient models for teaching and learning, as well as clinical use.  Veterinarians can use the model to explain the pathology of the animal.  In addition, the team will further develop anatomical models for other organs that can be used electronically via mobile applications to maximize learning efficiency and promote students’ interest in self-study of veterinary anatomy.

Apart from modern teaching innovations, CU VET also provides an exhibit of complete veterinary anatomy on the 3rd floor of the 60-Year Veterinary Building for students and the public to come and learn or use the resources for academic research.

The veterinary anatomy exhibit includes schematic diagrams, animal anatomy models, skeletons, and taxidermy animals arranged systematically that visitors can visit in person.  Moreover, CU VET has also developed a 360-degree virtual tour website of the Veterinary Anatomy section, that is perfect for the age of the New Normal as well.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the online food-ordering business has grown exponentially in parallel with the amount of plastic waste generated that has seen a 60% increase.  The Environmental Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University (ERIC) points out that it is high time for all sectors to help reduce waste through the 3 Re Principles.

When the coronavirus outbreaks began in early 2020, followed by lockdown measures, and social distancing practice mandates to help mitigate the spread, conservation behaviour has been put on hold for the time being.  In its place came online ordering along with billions of containers and plastic bags a year. Even for restaurant dine-in, cutlery and plates are also wrapped with plastic for each guest.

A report by ERIC shows that the amount of plastic waste between January and April 2020 increased from the same period in 2019 by 62 percent, the majority of which is non-recyclable single-use plastic bags, styrofoam boxes, plastic bottles and cups.

ERIC also predicts that the amount of plastic waste from online food delivery businesses will increase to over 2,325–6,395 billion pieces per year in the next 4 years (2025).

“3 Re” steps to reduce waste from online food ordering

While clicking to order food online, clients tend to only think of menus and food prices.  The more they order, the more discounts they earn from competing for food delivery platforms. Little do they know that they are increasing the amount of plastic waste.  So, all that many people can do is to separate the trash before discarding it. Some people may do a bit more by cleaning and drying the containers before putting them in the bin.

The roles of food delivery platforms

The food delivery business has been growing steadily in recent years. Today, competitive pricing and speed strategies may no longer be the only measures of success when consumers are selective of their service providers who care about the environment. This is a new challenge for forward-thinking entrepreneurs, who should turn their attention to reducing plastic waste that is flooding the world, and take the lead and differentiate themselves while boosting their earnings from the “green” image.

ERIC adapted the familiar 3 Re principles to the current situation.

Reduce – Consumption

This can be done immediately by the platform operators by adding a default “no plastic cutlery” function.  Customers can turn it off if they want to receive the plastic cutlery. Currently, this practice has started around the world, and some operators use this as an incentive by giving discounts to customers who do not take plastic utensils. Most customers choose discounts, but the platform operators have to make sure the stores follow the guidelines.

Replace – with Alternative Packaging

This approach may be able to help control a certain amount of waste as it relies heavily on the source – the restaurant.  Yet, if successful, this will significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste without consumers having to worry.  Better yet, faster success can be achieved with cooperation from the government in controlling alternative packaging cost, which is currently higher than plastic packaging.

Reuse – Reusable Packaging

This approach is not yet popular in Thailand, but some small entrepreneurs have already begun experimenting with this measure, such as using a deposit-return system by designating container return points in business and residential buildings or making return appointments through an application. This approach is likely to have the most significant impact if consumers perceive the program’s importance and cooperate.

Must the government mandate and enforce the measures?

Plastic Ban Policy in the People’s Republic of China is a case study that suggests that if the government is strict, enforcement measures will work.  Examples include a ban on single-use plastic bags in supermarkets, a ban on non-biodegradable packaging for online food delivery business in major cities like Beijing, before expanding to other cities across the country, as well as bans by several EU countries on the manufacturing and usage of 8 types of single-use plastic: cutlery, chopsticks, plates, straw, cotton swabs, stirrers, balloon sticks, foam boxes and other products that contain OXO (non-biodegradable plastic).

Both case studies reflect the importance of the government’s stance and role in the eradication of plastic waste that can be impactful and extensive.  The Thai government, meanwhile, continues to choose a “voluntary cooperation” approach rather than enforcement.  Such policy requires the participation of all parties, especially the business sector.  If this approach proves effective, then a strict measure is not necessary.

Many can now understand the guidelines for online food ordering that will incur the least amount of trash.  Although we cannot eliminate 100 percent of the plastic waste from this activity, we can still be a part of the solution to the overflowing plastic trash in our big cities. If we are all aware of the problem and play a part in solving it, soon we can expect to see a sustainable decline in plastic waste figures.