Login
Register

Tag: Thailand

Thammasat University tops in Thailand in the QS Graduate Employability Ranking 2022

Posted on by Editorial Team

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released the official QS Graduate Employability Ranking of the year 2022 on September 23. Thammasat University (TU) is ranked as the top educational institution in Thailand and the third in ASEAN. Globally, Thammasat University is ranked within the 141-150 ranking group, moving higher than the previous year from the ranking group of 171-180.

Associate Professor Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University (TU) revealed that in 2022, QS evaluated more than 650 institutions and published 550, with 70 new
entries. TU climbed to a higher position as a result of the achievement of 5 indicators: Employer Reputation;  Alumni Outcomes; Employers-student Connections; Cooperation of Partnerships with Employers; and Graduate Employment Rate.

Associate Professor Gasinee said,” TU ranked as the number one university in Thailand and the third in ASEAN is the result of the progress in three important areas, reflected through the score that has been greatly increased – the reputation of the university from the employer, the score increased from 23.1 in 2020 to 29.1 in 2022; Alumni Achievements, the score climbed up from 75.7 in 2020 to 81 in 2022; and University partnerships with employers, in which the score increased from 9.5 in 2020 to 19.2 in 2022.”

“Comparing the rankings three years back, it is found that Thammasat has received better scores in all dimensions, reflecting the quality of the university in the academic aspect which is not only excellent in academics but also gives its importance to serving society and people, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic, I am certain that next year we will be ranked in an even better position, and will boost the reputation and recognition of Thailand on the world stage,” Associate Professor Gasinee said.

Thammasat University approves regulations to allow students to dress according to their gender identities

Posted on by Thammasat University

The University Council approved Thammasat University‘s regulation concerning student dress code and uniforms for 2021, whereby additions were made to Clause 9 concerning dressing in student uniforms to allow students to dress according to either their birth sex or gender identity.

“We are communicating to society that we are giving importance to non-discrimination and think that this should be made into law because we want equal protection for everyone, regardless of gender, and we hope that this will be a beginning that communicates to society that this issue should be made normal, that anybody should be able to dress however they want and that their decisions need to be respected for so long as they abide by the same rules and that is by dressing politely and appropriately for their settings,” Associate Professor Dr Adisorn Chansuk said.

Dr Adisorn Chansuk said that previous rules were just practice guidelines and not strictly regulations. As they become regulations and are published in the Royal Government Gazette pursuant to the Act for the university, these regulations will become law within the university, which means everyone will be required to comply.

As for previous content, the rules did not mention anything about permitting students to dress according to their genders. This issue was brought up last year when an announcement of the chancellor gave permission to students to act according to their gender identities and to be able to take their graduation pictures wearing their graduation gowns.

This was last year, but before that, there were students who dressed according to their gender identities. This is because the actual dress codes never required them to only dress according to their sex.

However, because there were no specifications, if students wanted to dress a certain way, it was up to them but their teachers could still require them to dress according to their birth sex. Before the announcement of the chancellor made last year granting permission, if a student wanted to cross-dress, the student would have to go and ask for a hospital to issue a certificate for the student. It was a way of asking them to seek a certification process.

So, this became an issue that depended only on the chancellor’s announcement.  Whenever executives change, announcements might be made to require students to go back to dressing according to their birth genders (depending on management policies).

However, the upgrading of rules to legal regulations, regardless of which executives are in charge, means that students’ right to express themselves and to dress freely according to their intentions will remain protected.

As for Thammasat University’s project to support and engage in the issue of gender equality, there are large numbers of students currently pushing on this issue. For example, the TU Changemaker project, which is supported by UN Women, last year organized an event about gender equality to raise awareness on this issue within and outside the university. Students also gave away sanitary napkins for free to female university students. All of these activities are related to promoting gender equality, which is something the university has always prioritized.

Thammasat University professor’s innovation wins silver award at 48th International Exhibition of Geneva

Posted on by Thammasat University

The serum of bamboo extract for sensitive skin innovation by Associate Professor Dr Supakorn Boonyuen, Thammasat University, was presented at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva special edition 2021: Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days Virtual Event, and it has won the silver award.

The research by Associate Professor Dr Supakorn Boonyuen applied chemical technologies to study and seek information in addition to processing bamboo leaves in order to share with the farmers of Sa Kaeo and nearby areas the technology used to harvest and extract a flavonoid from bamboo leaves to generate income for the community.

He discovered that the flavonoid found in bamboo leaves is isoorientin, which is largely presented in the Sang Mon Nuan Rachinee strain of bamboo. The harvest and extraction processes are uncomplicated and can be performed by the local farmers.

Bamboo leaves brought in for extraction must be the leaves that are still on the plant and not the ones fallen to the ground. After they are cut, they need to be washed and dried in a shaded area and an insect-free facility. Then, they are crushed before being extracted by a solvent which will eventually evaporated.

The extract obtained is tested for its quality by the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, before it is delivered to the processing plant.

Isoorientin additives in products are classified as non-toxic to cells and are highly effective. Cosmetics that contain this flavonoid from bamboo leaves can reduce cell inflammation and prevent free radicals which are the cause of skin wrinkles.

The product has been approved and already obtained the FDA registrations.  They are the “concentrated serum from bamboo leave extracted for natural moisturization and smoothening” with registration number 10-1-6200008553″ and a “special formula cleansing micellar with bamboo leave extracted for thorough cleaning without dry skin after use” with registration number 10-1-6200008316.

SOPet, an Online Veterinarian Service by Chula students

Posted on by Chulalongkorn University

SOPet, an online veterinary clinic and popular startup that gives instant advice on pet issues, is the brainchild of Chulalongkorn University‘s sophomore students in the Bachelor of Arts and Science in Integrated Innovation (BAScii) degree, under CU Innovation Hub – a highlight of the strength of the social enterprise, fast, reliable, and affordable.  Based on the life experience of pet owners who need urgent advice and assistance in times of crisis but are unable to rush to the clinic or veterinary hospital in time, SOPet was created.

“BAScii is an international program with an emphasis on integrated innovation and business operations under the support of CU Innovation Hub. The program offers a course called Project Seed which students are required to take, and we must form our own start-up company as a project,” said Chwin Wiriyasophon, one of the founders of SOPet, talking about the inception of the project. Their key advisors are Dr. Ronakorn Waiyawut, program instructor, and Dr. Teerakorn Ananthothai – Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Founder of Globish Startup Company.

“An idea for SOPet came from a friend, also the co-founder, who had experienced a problem when he couldn’t take his pet to the vet because his house was flooded. Plus, we’re all pet lovers, so we came up with the idea of an online veterinary business,” said Chwin, Managing Director of SOPet, while introducing 5 co-founders and 3 other team members: Napat Xiangliu, Wachirawit Siridechanon, Chananya Asawawararit, Chosiya Losuwankul, Phakamon Inthanilom, Emiri Hiraoka, Pusadee Prasertwit and Korpong Ruengwattanakul.

“We share business operations responsibilities without them affecting our studies.  Though this project is already a part of our courses, we try to find some extra time to take care of the business every day.  We outsource the admin work as well.”

Chwin explained that the current SOPet service model is still at the stage of an MVP (Minimal Viable Product) that offers services through a Facebook page.

“We are testing the market first, and soon, we will be introducing the website. Customers can send messages via Facebook chat. We have an assigned person to recommend how to choose the type of services and coordinate with veterinarians whose expertise matches the needs of customers. We have a network of over 20 veterinarians (selected from more than 80 applicants) who can offer consultation within 5-10 minutes

Chwin said that after about a year of service, the feedback has been highly satisfactory.  Based on service evaluation scores in a survey of more than 1,400 pet owners, over 98%  rated SOPet as “very good”.

SOPet focuses on giving advice through online channels via chat, voice call and video call.

For the future plan of this social enterprise, SOPet’s founding team hopes to develop an online medical service system (Telemedicine) that is top-of-mind of customers across the country. They may sign memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with agencies such as the Faculty of Veterinarian Sciences to develop a shared-service platform in the future.

“We have to thank every important party that has made this startup a reality — our friends from BAScii who have been by my side, ready to adapt and fight together all along; our teachers and mentors who spared their time to give us advice and believed in us since day one. Also, thanks to all the faculty members, staff members, BAScii executives, and all our friends at CU Innovation Hub for their support,” said Chwin.

Chula sophomore wins first place in French Speech Competition

Posted on by Chulalongkorn University

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.

Thammasat University continues its efforts towards sustainability

Posted on by Thammasat University

Thammasat University (TU) continues to move forward with the policy to continuously drive sustainable development by adopting the SDGs as a guideline for practice and combining with every university policy.

​​Associate Professor Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, said, “The United Nations has set 17 goals for achieving the SDGs which cover all social, economic and environmental dimensions that creates the well-being of the world’s population without leaving anyone behind. In which Thammasat University has been impelling the SDGs to be a part of the university goals since 2015.”

“We intend to build TU to be the main driving force of both the Thai and international sustainable development goals. We integrate the SDGs into the administration of all faculties and all educational centres, and the SDGs are also included in the course curriculum in order to develop students’ abilities to be a change-maker, that is able to offer solutions to various challenges on a global and national level,” Assoc. Prof. Gasinee stated.

Thammasat University has earnestly driven this matter and has set up a committee to formulate policies on the SDGs, chaired by Assoc. Prof. Gasinee herself. It has also established a working group as a mechanism to impel forward the sustainable development goals in various fields by providing guidelines for all faculties and also providing budgets and resources to support policymaking.

The committee has set the drive for the SDGs with 4 missions:

1. To foster a sustainable university in all educational centers, providing students and university personnel access to a good environment, green areas, acquiring complete nutrition at a reasonable price, using clean energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and creating a communication space that promotes diversity of identity, culture and political perspectives.

2. To support research that provides researchers with freedom of thought and create useful innovations and drive for the sustainable development goals.

3. To encourage all faculties to collatively work with the government and non-university organizations to make the achievement of the SDGs a reality.

4. To provide freedom to students and promote participation in university development in developing a curriculum that integrates the concepts of the SDGs, encouraging students to become change-makers as global citizens.

“We believe that the SDGs are a way to make our university, students and personnel a part of solving the challenges facing by the country, meeting the goals of the university and preparing personnel in forming good global community and having a sustainable future,” Assoc. Prof. Gasinee concluded.

Chula Fine and Applied Arts lecturer receives overall Best Presenters Award from “Plastic Sea” Project

Posted on by Chulalongkorn University

Dr. Haisang Javanalikhikara, a lecturer from the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University, has received the Overall Best Presenters award at the 8th International Conference on Arts and Humanities (2021) on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.

Dr. Haisang’s presentation on “Plastic Sea: Art Exhibition on Plastic Marine Pollution”, a project created to encourage people to reduce plastic waste via interactive data visualization art, is one of the creative research projects under the FAAMAI Digital Arts Hub, supported by the Chulalongkorn University Second Century Fund (C2F).

The 8th International Conference on Arts and Humanities (ICOAH) was co-organized by the Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University, Canada; the Faculty of Music, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia; and the International Association for Social Science and Humanities, Sri Lanka.  More than 100 participants from 25 countries joined the virtual conference.

Thammasat University develops COVID-19 screening assessment

Posted on by Thammasat University

Thai Health Promotion Foundation in collaboration with the Faculty of Social Administration, Thammasat University and the network of social workers competency development project have developed a COVID-19 screening assessment to support communities and migrant workers.

Mrs Rapeepan Kumhom, Dean of the Faculty of Social Administration, Thammasat University, the project leader said, “The project started since the first wave of COVID-19. It has strengthened the community to prepare for the new wave of the pandemic and social workers were trained to use the assessment form for screening to support patients and their families.”

“This has allowed an efficient and proactive approach to patients with depression and the risk of suicide. Social workers may further use such tools during crises or emergencies. It is in the progress of coordinating with associated organizations and this tool will be deployed digitally in the future.”

This tool has been adopted in accordance with the international accounting concept for The World Health Organization (WHO) ’s International Classification of Function, Health and Disability (ICF). 14 questions covering the aspect of family, health, social and economy have been examined by specialists for improvement and trial with Thammasat University Field Hospital.

It has been consequently used by over 300 volunteer social workers to assess more than 1,400 COVID-19 patients which can take the self-assessment regarding social problems by completing the information through Google Forms via mobile phone which takes only 5 minutes. After that, the method will be adopted by another 40 hospitals. Currently, it is still under evaluation.

The tool will be deployed for patients with serious and emerging infectious diseases and will be standardized. The use of assessment tools with local COVID-19 patients will allow the operations more reliable, referrable and it also helps to design a simple and effective treatment program with quick planning.

Thai Health Promotion Foundation is another network of partners in the project to develop the competency of social workers that takes part as a consultant, a coordinator with hospitals to support migrant workers to receive healthcare by granting them access through mobile phone and Facebook, contacting interpreters speaking cross-border languages including Burmese, Lao and Khmer to provide suggestions and collaborate with public and private agencies.

From the first wave of COVID-19 until the present, more than 30,000 people from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand have been supported with money and donated relief supplies of more than 14 million baht.

BBA Chula students win first place at Thailand Social Case Competition 2021

Posted on by Chulalongkorn University

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.

CU VET’s “3D Dog Eye Anatomy Model for Self Learning” wins a gold medal at IWA 2020, Morocco

Posted on by Chulalongkorn University

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.