Tag: Thammasat University

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dusit Athinuwat, Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University received a grant from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) for research and development on the production of microorganism-infused manure pellets for rice stubble and straw in rice field decomposition to reduce the burning of rice straw and rice stubble in the farmer community.

Later, continued to receive funding in conveying the production technology and the use of manure to farmers. The project was completed in early 2022 by operating in 10 provinces under cooperation with Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) in 6 northeastern provinces, namely; Udon Thani, Roi Et, Buriram (2 areas), Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Amnat Charoen and the central region, namely; Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Nayok, the eastern Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University region in Chonburi Province. In every area, there will be pilot plots of 5 rai for operation demonstration and training to educate farmers on microorganisms’ production, expansion and preservation and the production of manure pellets to ensure that the farmers are able to start the production by themselves.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dusit Athinuwat, Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University revealed that it provided a household-sized fertilizer pelletizing machine to farmers, one per group, as a model for fertilizer production for the community until the results are extended in every area of ​​200 rai per area. As for the use of fertilizer pellets, after harvesting, the efficient microorganism-infused manure pellets for rice stubble and straw in rice field decomposition was sown at the rate of 100 kg/rai and then plowed over the rice stubble and straw and leave it for 14 days. During planting, when the rice produces grains, farmers then to inject the fermented water of the project with selected strains of microorganisms to increase the weight of the ear of rice. Most importantly, during the preparation of the planting area, no rice stubble is burned. Comparing to traditional cultivation methods, the use of microorganism-infused manure pellets provides beneficial results as follows:

1. Reduce environmental problems and PM 2.5 dust problems caused by burning stubble after the harvest season by about 50 percent.

2. The soil condition is more crumbly. This allows the rice roots to seek food better. Usually after harvesting, farmers would leave rice straw and rice stubble to dry in their fields for about 4-5 months, so the soil becomes dry and hard. Until the new planting season arrives, they began to plow and burn the rice straw and rice stubble to prepare the fields for planting. The project is grounded to providing advice on plowing shortly after harvesting and while the soil is still moist, the soil is looser than the farmer’s existing method applied.

3. The average rice yield increased by 26 percent/ rai according to the experiment in the Pathum Thani 1 rice plot in Ayutthaya province which can increase rice yield from 600 kg/rai to 760 kg/rai.

4. Reduce the use of fertilizer by about 800-1,200 baht/rai because throughout the planting season, there is fertilizer from rice straw and rice stubble. Farmers therefore does not require additional fertilizers.

5. As a result of reducing costs and increasing yields, farmers earn about 18% more income.

6. Farmers obtain additional income from the production and sale of microorganism-infused manure pellets for rice stubble and straw in rice field decomposition. As far as we know, there are groups of farmers trained in Udon Thani province who are interested in producing microorganism-infused manure pellets for sale as supplementary income.

For future guidelines, there should be extension and campaigning for the use of microorganism-infused manure pellets for rice stubble and straw in rice field decomposition to reduce production costs, increase income for farmers and encourage farmers to produce fertilizer for using in the community. As part of the project, about 400 farmers have been trained and all have the capacity to become role models for training and extending this knowledge to other farmers.

“Ohm-Yim (Smilingly) Team”, a team of students from the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasat University consists of Ms. Pornnaphat Tinamas, Ms. Suchanaree Saetan, Ms. Kanwara Yavichai and Mr. Naekin Wanthong, and the “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Team” consists of Miss Kasira Tangkunaporn, Miss Natcharee Sooksawat, Miss Nichaporn Na Phatthalung and Mr. Thachanan Chankaewrae won the first prize of the “Awareness and fundraising plan” contest for the Smile Foundation. The winners of both teams will be receiving an internship opportunity at Dexer Bangkok.

Today, we had an opportunity to interview one of the winning teams, the Merry Christmas and Happy New Year team. They mentioned that this awareness and fundraising plan arises from foreseeing the problem of fundraising from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic problems which affecting the amount of donations within the foundation to decline.

Thus, causing the idea of ​​fundraising plans under the concept “Smile for hope, Going above dreams” through the “Smile for Hope” campaign with the idea that “Not only are children suffering from cleft lips and cleft palate deserve good fortune, but in the wake of the coronavirus and the economic woes that are making it harder for working-age people to live. Those who donate in turn, deserve hope and encouragement in their daily lives.”

The “Smile for Hope” campaign is a campaign to raise funds for children with cleft lip and cleft palate with the main idea for the children in the foundation to be a part of giving through taking part in the design of various lucky charms, such as drawing and painting to be used as mobile wallpaper, and writing wishes and thank you message to be inserted into the Japanese Omamori amulet. Omamori is a small silk bag embroidered with beautiful patterns. The mouth of the bag can be opened. Inside, there are amulets made of paper and various incense to enhance good feelings, encouraging and providing hope to money donors amid the COVID-19 situation and economic downturn.

The team does hope that this campaign will be a part to help the foundation in becoming more reputed, and receiving donations that can be used to support a larger number of children. The team wishes to be another voice and allows people to realize that there are many children who have not been saved from cleft lip and cleft palate.

Thammasat University insists on being a university for all groups of people in society, aiming to create equality, and bridging the gap in education according to the determination of being a university for the people. It is regarded as the first higher education institution to establish “Students with Disabilities Project” to expand educational opportunities for people with disabilities to receive equal education and produce graduates who are ready to enter the labor market. Let’s hear the story of a graduate with disabilities who attend the graduation ceremony this year, Ms. Nitcharee Pen-aekchanasuk, a graduate of the academic year 2019.

Than-Ms. Nitcharee Pen-aekchanasuk, a graduate from the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasat University, second-class honours who is outstanding in both study and work. She is currently working as a corporate communicator to organizations in both the public and private sectors, driving policies for people with disabilities by which Ms. Nitcharee herself is under mobility impairment caused by an accident.

Ms. Nitcharee mentioned about studying at Thammasat University that studying at the university does support her in many ways. In fact, in the beginning, her intention to study at Thammasat University is from sensing the freedom of thoughts, open-mindedness not only towards political aspect but an idea of ​​what we would like to do. Thammasat helps us to expand our perspectives. At Thammasat University, there are professors who drive resolutions towards people with disabilities problems. From year one where wheelchair were inaccessible, but nowadays it has been fixed and it actually works. Most importantly, Thammasat is a model university in the field of universal design, driving creativity and social assistance. “I’ve never seen a university where people with disabilities can be anything they want to be regardless of what your dreams are. Studying at Thammasat University has proved that disability is not a hindrance. Whatever activity you wish to do, Thammasat University is more than ready to support. We feel good every time we go out to do activities and have the university’s name on it. We are proud that we are one of the students with disabilities of Thammasat University.”

I would like to leave a message for those who may see themselves as being limited or having obstacles. Everyone can actually make their dreams come true, just that the path or method may be varied. Therefore, do not assume that if we can’t follow other people’s paths, then we won’t succeed. I want you to see that each of us have our own path, and having our own dreams. Try stepping in, and try lightening up the courage to make your own dreams come true. Whether it’s coming to study at Thammasat University, or doing activities the pursuit of dreams. Everyone can achieve success in their own way. It is not necessary that the person who receives honours is the perfect person. It depends on what our dreams expect, Ms. Nitcharee concluded.

This year, Thammasat University has marked the graduation ceremony for the academic year 2019-2020 on 27-30 May 2022 at the main auditorium, Thammasat University, Tha Prachan Campus. In the academic year 2019-2020, there are 29 graduates with disabilities who sucessfully graduated as follows:

Of the 18 graduates with disabilities who graduated in 2019, 83% are employed, as follows:

1. Mr. Teeraphong Jaiprom, Faculty of Law

2. Mr. Patipat Boonnakorn, Faculty of Law

3. Ms. Pitchayapha Thammaratphimol, Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy

4. Ms. Orapriya Mongkolsitthichai, Faculty of Political Science

5. Ms. Jutamas Klinkajon, Faculty of Political Science

6. Ms. Watcharee Lanthaisong, Faculty of Political Science

7. Mr. Natthapong Khumpanich, Faculty of Economics

8. Mr. Sornram Salee, Faculty of the Faculty of Social Administration

9. Ms. Meena Saengthong, Faculty of Social Administration

10. Ms. Supisara Wanbaworn, Faculty of Social Administration

11. Ms. Panida Simainam, Faculty of Liberal Arts

12. Mr. Sakditouch Wisalaset, Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication

13. Ms. Jeeranan Suaydudee, Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication

14. Ms. Pornphat Ammartmanee, Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication

15. Ms. Nitcharee Pen-aekchanasuk, Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication

16. Ms. Phuttida Roerkpathomsak, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences

17. Ms. Sunattha Ruangsirikan, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning

18. Ms. Parichat Pohkongmee, Faculty of Public Health

 

11 graduates with disabilities who graduated in 2020 are employed, representing 100 percent, as follows:

1. Ms. Arisa Kaewkrajok, Faculty of Political Science

2. Ms. Natcha Trairat, Faculty of Political Science

3. Mr. Polawat Hemharn, Faculty of Social Administration

4. Ms. Natthamon Thanatrisit, Faculty of Social Administration

5. Ms. Buntarik Champaphan, Faculty of Social Administration

6. Ms. Orawan Premprik, Faculty of Social Administration

7. Mr. Jaruwat Laythaisong, Faculty of Social Administration

8. Ms. Sarocha Phadungkit, Faculty of Social Administration

9. Mr. Photsawat Khewmuean, Faculty of Social Administration

10. Mr. Thanaphat Laohaprasert, Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication

11. Ms. Pattra Krangpanich, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences

Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Thammasat University focuses on producing quality educational personnel with the latest global recognition through the accreditation of international education standards from the world’s leading institutes of business administration, EQUIS (2012 – 2024) from the European Union for the third time and AMBA (2018 – 2024) from United Kingdom for the second time.

Prof. Dr. Ruth Banomyong, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Thammasat University revealed that the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy focuses on maintaining education accreditation standards in order to produce excellent quality personnel for the business sector and the Thai labor market, and utilize knowledge and competence to further develop Thailand in the future. The Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy is very proud as it has been fully accredited for international education standards from 2 major world’s business administration institutes, EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System) from the European Union and AMBA (Association of MBAs) from the United Kingdom with different and comprehensive educational quality assessment criteria in all aspects of leading educational standards. By which each institute has a quality assessment that has very strict rules.

The details are as follows:

1. EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System): The Faculty of Commerce was accredited in 2012 onwards, an accreditation under the international non-profit organization European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) is the organization that provides business administration education standards for Business Schools and Business School Programmes, Corporate Universities and Online Courses both at the higher education level, Graduate Studies, Program for Executives. It also certifies the various academic activities of the Faculty, including research and academic collaborations.

2. AMBA (Association of MBAs): The Faculty of Commerce was accredited in 2018 onwards. AMBA is the UK’s international quality accreditation body for graduate business administration programs, the AMBA has been instrumental in setting the criteria for managing graduate studies and is committed to raising international standards and quality for the benefit of the Institute of Business Administration students and alumni as well as employers.

Thai Khadi Research Institute, Thammasat University studies and researches on ‘King Narai Medicine Pharmacopoeia’, decoding and updating to be present. Currently, up to 4 formula were successfully completed.

Assoc. Prof. Roj Khunanaek, Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Thammasat University and Former Director of the Thai Khadi Research Institute. As a pioneer educator of the “King Narai’s Medicine Pharmacopoeia” revealed that from the study of medical palm leaf scriptures in the reign of King Narai the Great that have been passed down from generations known by the name of “Phra Narai’s Medicine Pharmacopoeia”, which is over 300 years old of the Thai Khadi Studies Institute, Thammasat University is found to compose good properties medicinal formulas and are very useful.

However, being an ancient medicinal formula, people today may have misunderstandings or misinterpreation. Thai Khadi Research Institute, Thammasat University therefore, has been systematically studying and researching the wisdom of traditional Thai herbal medicine since 2009 with the aim of reviving the medicine according to the King Narai’s Medicine Pharmacopoeia to be accurate, easy to understand and present.

Thai Khadi Research Institute, Thammasat University has been able to restore 4 formula of the King Narai’s Medicine Pharmacopoeia, namely, Herbal tonic (Ya-Tha-Phra-Sen), Herbal compress (Phra-Aung-Kob-Phra-Sen-Tueng-Hai-Yon), Mahajak oil (Nam-Mun-Ma-Ha-Jak) and Herbal tonic pills (Ya-Hom-Dum). Thai Khadi Research Institute has also published the book “Inheriting wisdom, the King Narai’s Medicine Pharmacopoeia” that portrays the details of the aforementioned four medicinal preparations for those who are interested as well.

Assoc. Prof. Rungrawee Temsirirekkul, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University mentioned about the properties of the 4 medicinal formulas, namely: 1. Herbal tonic, which is used for applying to adjust displaced tendons, cure paralysis, cure tendon tightness, cure cramps, cure osteoarthritis or pain, swelling, redness, hotness in the knee and ankle joints, and aches.

2. Herbal compress, having properties to loosen and relax stiff tendons, relieve stress and promote deep sleep.

3. Mahajak oil, having properties from the specific properties of each type of herbs. Thus, it was assumed that Mahachak oil might be effective in reducing pain due to its anti-inflammatory effect and can also heal wounds from antibacterial effect, anti-inflammatory effect, and accelerate wound healing.

4. Herbal tonic pills, relieves fever along with thirst, headache, and arthritis which are symptoms of the common cold or influenza.

Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Prachaya Prempraneerat and the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Worada Samosornsook, has collaborated to invent the ‘Smart Handy’ innovation, a UVC disinfection tunnel that can kill up to 99% of viruses and bacteria on various materials in 18 seconds to help reduce the current epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Prachaya Prempraneerat, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University revealed that behind the development of this innovation was an experiment with UVC radiation with a wavelength of 253.7 nm which is found to destroy the DNA and RNA of small organisms, making them unable to reproduce nor cause more disease. This equates to a high potential to destroy pathogens’ DNA and RNA and therefore kill the pathogens. Importantly, the concentration of UVC can kill viruses and bacteria as well. Then selected high quality equipment from leading manufacturers that does not cause substances that destroy the Earth’s ozone layer which is the cause of global warming.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Worada Samosornsook, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University said that as an expert in microbiology, from the research, the result has shown that ‘Smart Handy’ is capable of killing Bacillus Atrophaeus, a spore-forming organism. Hence, it can be used to kill viruses and bacteria as well, and it is effective in stopping up to 10,000 cells and has been tested by instilling Bacillus atrophia on various surfaces such as leather bags, luggages, plastic materials, parcel boxes, etc., and then go through the disinfection process with the ‘Smart Handy’ automatic disinfection tunnel. It was found that within 15 seconds, it can kill 95% of germs. If the disinfection process time is extended to 18 seconds, it was found that it can kill up to 99% of germs attached to objects. Therefore, this innovation can help stop the epidemic of the viruses and bacteria, protecting people’s health and well-being, and increasing confidence for the people to be living in an era where pathogens are rapidly evolving species, including those associated with emerging diseases.

‘Smart Handy’, an automatic disinfection tunnel has registered a patent from the Department of Intellectual Property. In addition, it has already been installed for testing at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport office building, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited or AOT.

For the first time in Thailand’s history, Thammasat Business School (TBS), Thammasat University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with eight other leading Thai business schools to enable the building of a business school network in Thailand (Business School Network of Thailand: BSNT).

This historical event, which took place at Thammasat University Tha Prachan Campus on 4th April 2022, consisted of 9 representatives from 9 leading Thai business schools coming together to show their solidarity in working together to shape and form the future of business management education in Thailand.

The main goals of the BSNT are to promote academic and research activities, to exchange knowledge and expertise among its members, to enhance the competence of Thai business schools, and to develop world-class academic personnel in Thailand, facilitating the development of the Thai economy in the future.

Since its inception in 2020, Professor Ruth Banomyong, Ph.D., Dean of Thammasat Business School has worked diligently for almost 18 months to initiate and coordinate the MOU ceremony for the nine members of the BSNT, which include: 1. Chulalongkorn Business School, Chulalongkorn University; 2. CMU Business School, Chiang Mai University; 3. Kasetsart Business School, Kasetsart University; 4. Khon Kaen Business School, Khon Kaen University; 5. Faculty of Management Sciences, Prince of Songkla University; 6. Faculty of Management and Tourism, Burapha University; 7. National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA); 8. Sasin School of Management, Chulalongkorn University; and 9. Thammasat Business School, Thammasat University.

One of the main goals of the BSNT collaboration is to develop and certify national accreditation standards for business management education, which will be discussed in more detail throughout the course of 2022.

After the MOU signing is completed, members will continue to work together on academic collaboration, academic activities, sharing experiences, and developing expertise in various business related fields to enhance the competence of business schools in Thailand.

A breakdown of the details of the MOU agreement are as follows:

– Academic activities: teaching and learning, faculty development, staff and student exchange, and sharing of best practices between member schools.

– Academic research networking: collaborations between BSNT faculty members on common research interests

– Academic seminars: knowledge sharing and pooled resources (e.g., faculty and staff)

– Community service: organizing free training or seminars for the general public and the provision of academic mentors from member institutions according to each school’s field of expertise. In addition, each school will take turns in hosting annual BNST meetings. This may consist of visits to each school in various regions or the schools from surrounding provinces attending or organizing activities in Bangkok.

Prof. Dr. Ruth also added that this is to improve and advance the potential of Thai business education and build a strong foundation for creating skilled and academically orientated personnel that can help lead in the development of the Thai economy in the future.

In addition, the BSNT network aims to initiate an important turning point in the history of the Thai educational system from a classic model (focused more on competition) to one more focused on networking in education. This cooperation and mutual support will strengthen the capability of all member institutions. Faculty members from the BSNT now have an opportunity to exchange knowledge, ideas, and perspectives to teach students.

As for the students, which make up a key part of each school, they will have a broader vision from learning exchanges with faculty and students from other schools. Students will be equipped with various professional skills and be able to apply and adjust their own knowledge to work and be ready for driving the labor market.

“For the future direction, there may be an agreement with other schools. I think that networking will be beneficial for the Thai education system. All the business schools in the country have great potential and play a role in Thai education. If we bring the expertise and strengths of each school and work together, it will definitely have a positive effect on the Thai education system”, Prof. Dr. Ruth concluded.

Thammasat University in collaboration with the Stock Exchange of Thailand and SkillLane Education Company Limited has launched the “Thammasat Digital Skill Space” project which is a development of a comprehensive investment learning course.

Students will obtain a deep understanding of the capital market ecosystem and be trained in sustainable investment skills amid the changing and uncertainty of the future world. This project will provide opportunities for Thammasat students to learn, collect and transfer credits or can be counted as elective courses or free elective courses according to the course requirements. In the future, there will be opportunities for students of all institutions, high school students as well as those who are interested in to attend.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, said that the rapid and drastic changes in the modern world have caused the role of universities and educational institutions to change accordingly.

The World Economic Forum predicts that within the next 5 years around the world, as many as 85 million jobs will be lost, while 97 million new jobs will be occured. However, there will be a lot of unemployed persons, while many jobs will not be done by anyone. As these people do not have the skills to do new jobs, universities or educational institutions therefore need to rethink on how to respond to this question raised.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phipop Udon, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Thammasat University said that within the Thammasat Digital Skill Space project, there will be an intensive development of investment learning courses, starting from an online course of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET e-Learning) that provides knowledge from basic to advanced knowledge such as financial planning, investment in stocks, derivatives, mutual funds, bonds, etc.

Thammasat University as a leading educational institution with outstanding business school accredited by three global accreditation institutions in business administration (Triple Crown) will redesign such knowledge set into “courses” that are in line with today’s changes, while SkillLane as an online education experts will join forces to develop a platform that makes learning accessible to everyone.

Dr.Pakorn Pitathawatchai, Director and Manager, the Stock Exchange of Thailand said that the Stock Exchange of Thailand aims to develop the capital market to benefit all sectors. One of the key missions that has been carried out continuously is to promote financial literacy, especially among students. The Stock Exchange of Thailand has continuously worked with universities to disseminate knowledge with body of knowledge and media that the Stock Exchange of Thailand has developed which can be used as a tool for further development of courses systematically in the university.

Mr. Thitipong Phisitwuthinan, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of SkillLane said, “In the present, technology has made it easier, faster and better for people to learn, which is in line with today’s behavior. From our direct experience in developing online learning platform for many leading organizations, including having previously collaborated with Thammasat University in TUXSA Project, an online master’s degree programs that has been successfully operated. This has proven that our technology provides people with unrestricted access to quality education in terms of time and place.”

However, the courses that will be offered online are: 1. TU201: Financial Literacy for Individuals 2. TU202: Complete Investment and 3. TU: 301: Investment in the Stock Market

Thammasat University has launched “88 SANDBOX: The Next Unicorn Platform”, a center for entrepreneurial skills learning of the future with a network of 88 Sandbox Partners as sponsors and will contribute as “Mentor” to spark the fire of dreams and pass on success to create the next “unicorn”.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, revealed that TU, as a university for the people has the intention to foster Thai startups to the world level using the potential and abilities that the university in collaboration with the 88 SANDBOX project to advance and transform creativity into value and sustainable business.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pipop Udon, Vice President for Academic Affairs, TU, said that 88 SANDBOX will be a platform for everyone, regardless of gender, age, education or ethnicity to visit and build the skills that are suitable and necessary for building a startup. This is to prepare ordinary people to become entrepreneurs.

Ms. Jiraporn Khaosawat, Executive Chairman of PTT Oil and Retail Public Company Limited or PTTOR said that at this time the world is changing in every dimension. We all need to keep up with the world and that the most important thing is to bring the digital world and the physical world together. This is an open opportunity for Thai startups as emerging technology means the emergence of new opportunities to develop and upgrade the Thai economy in the future

Ruangrote Poonphon or Krating, who has been designated as The Godfather of Thai Startup, one of Silicon Valley’s co-workers, said Southeast Asia is currently spawning a large number of unicorn-level startups whether in Singapore or Indonesia, therefore 10 years from now , it will be regarded as the best time to start a startup business.

For 88 SANDBOX: The Next Unicorn Platform is a project that combines education of the future with the science of business administration that keeps pace with changes.

It will be conducted through 5 important activities, namely:

1. Skill Space, develop entrepreneurial skills through the Learning Platform and create an idea marketplace
2. Expo, the largest startup exhibition. This will be a space for creative people to meet and gather.
3. Pre-Hackathon, startups will be closely monitored and mentored by business mentors to develop their skills, ideas and work methods.
4. Hackathon, a platform where startups compete in projects. And those who are selected will receive investment funding.
5. Forest of Unicorn, provides startups with privileges and a rich growth environment and will enable all startups to fully enter the business world.

In addition, you can update more information and news on the 88 SANDBOX project website at https://www.facebook.com/88Sandbox