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Tag: Thammasat University

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.

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.

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.

Thammasat University’s new course aims to inspire and build entrepreneurship

Posted on by Thammasat University

Thammasat University has recently launched a course on Innovation & Entrepreneurial Mindset or Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking Process (TU 109) to help nurture and build future entrepreneurs.

The program will have 30 entrepreneurs as “Course Mentors”. They will serve to help spark up ideas and to inspire students by conveying their experiences and coaching.

 The university looks at this course as the first step for students in direction of creating their start-Ups while they are still in the university.

Tee-Pattanapong Ranurak and Tong-Thanet Jirasawaekdilok, the two founders of the premium spa brand Divana and Dii Group, who are the Course Directors of the course said that the new generation is knowledgeable, fast and intelligent. Therefore, teaching using Knowledge-based learning as a foundation, may not be able to keep up with this change.

“We, therefore, develop courses and offer classes with Project-based learning –Activity-based learning and Team-based learning, with case studies supporting the exchange of learning among them,” they said.

“We will construct a variety of classes, gathering real entrepreneurs to share both their success, failures, and errors to optimize learning from actual experiences in a short period of time in person, including inviting experts in setting up companies to enter the stock market, etc., to meet with students in close proximity, the module will be available for students in Semester One of Freshmen Year, so we will be focusing on building passion and inspiring them as well,” added the course director.

“What we will be lecturing about are experiences, passion and the key is that we will be teaching about failures. This is due to the fact that most classes are based on success. As for education from failures, the number is countable,” explained the Course Director of TU 109.

As for TU 109, it was originated from the idea of Rector ​​Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart who wishes to foster entrepreneurship skills in the modern world and would like to nurture at least 1,000 students a year on the path of entrepreneurship.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee therefore has designed and developed the curriculum together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pipop Udorn, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs. The curriculum has been finalised into 3 modules, namely TU 109, TU 209 and TU 309, which will be providing classes from Basic to Advanced levels, aiming for students to develop themselves so that they can earn money during their years as students.

88 Sandbox, which is Thammasat’s newest ecosystem will be acting as a platform for potential startups within and outside the university.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee said that TU 109 was initiated from the analysis of global education trends together with micro behaviour, which is based on students’ behaviour and what they are interested to learn about.

“We aim that prior to students’ graduation, they must have come up with their own business and are able to try testing in crowdfunding. In which, we will be having mentors to join the course and provide close guidance. I am confident that students will obtain a deep-seated experience of innovation and entrepreneurship that is good, virtuous, and will definitely be an important force in a better society,” said Assoc. Prof. Gasinee

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pipop said that TU 109 innovation and entrepreneurial thinking process module is a general education course designed to build entrepreneurs who are ready for the world of tomorrow. The teaching approaches must be framed and be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and focusing on enhancing life’s essential attributes in accordance with Thammasat University’s principles.

“Students will be having a chance to learn both concepts and skills to foster success for start-up businesses, as well as acquiring hands-on practice, both in terms of crowdfunding, 1-minute pitch preparation, storytelling, business analysis using the Business model canvas, and financial analysis,” explained Assoc. Prof. Dr Pipop

Thammasat University introduces cashless canteen to minimize contact

Posted on by Thammasat University

The Property and Sports Management Office of Thammasat University in collaboration with Bangkok Bank are offering the first cashless canteen services at Thammasat University, Rangsit Center.

Services have begun from June 2021 onward to make everyone’s spending more convenient and easier through fast and safe payment channels. The available payment channels are national e-payment by debit and credit cards, PromptPay or QR code, and  Rabbit cards or Rabbit Line Pay.

In the upcoming days, cashless canteens will be established at every food centre under the care of the Property and Sports Management Office, including at Thewson Dome and the faculties of Engineering Science, Science and Technology, Social Science 1, and Social Science 2 at Thammasat University Tha Phra Chan and Thammasat University Lampang campuses.

Thammasat University partners with THPF for creating social support guidelines for children and families impacted by COVID-19

Posted on by Thammasat University

Thammasat University cooperated with the Office of the Thailand Promotion Foundation (THPF) to develop social support guidelines. They have developed the Psychological-Psychosocial Support Booklet for Children and Families during COVID-19 to use as a tool for working with children in communities and children with family members who are infected with COVID-19.

The THPH plans to expand volunteer social service officer services to primary care units in order to create coverage of service in the dimensions of prevention and continual support at the community level.

Dr Kanitta Buranapansak, Head of Social Services, Thammasat University Hospital, stated that the expansion of results from the project to develop capacity, social care models and empower communities to monitor care and social management for patients, a booklet on social care for COVID-patients in the community and a booklet for social workers on social care for COVID-19 patients will soon be prepared.

 “What everyone found is that there is already stress and anxiety from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, more than that, COVID-19 changed lifestyles. After having COVID-19, patients who return home to be quarantined were concerned about quarantine facilities, fearful of infecting people at home, patients or children. In most problems, more than 50 per cent of the patients were family leaders and the main livelihood earner who had to be dismissed from work, lose income or have difficult livelihoods. There was also fear of separation from loved ones or losing loved ones,” Dr Kanitta said.

“In addition, persons with high health risks such as patients with chronic illnesses, disabilities and children had mental health problems. Currently, there are many cases not accepted by communities back in society, particularly cases living in condominiums who the team has to help care for and create understanding.”

Dr Kajeerat Prak-eko, Director of the Bureau of Health System Development Support, stated that volunteer social service officers will work as mentors to help recovered COVID-19 patients to become volunteers in providing consultation to reduce stigmatization among new patients at Thammasat Field Hospital and patients in the area of Pathumthani.

Thammasat University signs MoU to enhance dentistry services through digital technology

Posted on by Thammasat University

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, Professor (Adjunct) Dame Petchara Techakumpuch, Chairman of the Dental Innovation Foundation under Royal Patronage; and Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, Director-General of the Department of Health, jointly signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for “Digital for Dentistry” research and development to enhance dentistry services through digital technologies at the Dental Innovation Foundation.

This collaboration is an agreement to engage in joint research and development in Digital for Dentistry to create innovations that will lead to benefits in diagnoses, prevention, monitoring, and treatment of illnesses in the public.

The three agencies will collaborate in research and development in areas concerning the nation’s oral health, and this will occur in the form of shared databases, improvements in education, and support in health service provision through the adoption of digital technology.

It aims to allow the public seeking services across the nation to have extensive and effective access to oral health services and highly competent service providers, including promotion in prevention, diagnoses, treatment, and rehabilitation that occur correctly and precisely through the use of technology.

After trials and tests through research and development, all three agencies will deliver services to the Ministry of Public Health, which is responsible for caring for the country’s entire population, and policy agencies such that they can apply data in analysis to improve their systems.

Thammasat University and SDSN Thailand partner to publish an in-depth look at Thailand’s SDG Index 2021

Posted on by Thammasat University

Following the release of Sustainable Development Report 2021 and the SDG Index 2021 by  Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), SDSN Thailand in collaboration with SDG Move and the Faculty of Economics of Thammasat University created a press release and published preliminary information about the status of Thailand in the SDG Index 2021 to accompany the launching of the aforementioned report.

The key challenges of Thailand as revealed by the SDG Index 2021 continue to be the issues of inequality and justice, natural resources and environment, and good governance, rights and freedoms.

Most of these issues are deteriorating or are still difficult to develop. It is, therefore, likely impossible to continue to steer Thailand toward only a “quick win” in sustainable development. Instead, we have to find a sustainable way to manage the “hard-to-win” problems, and they need to be systematically changed to the foundational level.

The full details can be accessed here.