Thammasat University engineering students receive scholarships from Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand)

Five students from Automotive Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, Pattaya Campus, received scholarships from Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Led by Eiichi Koito, President & CEO, for “MMTh VTECH Scholarship Program 2021” with Assoc.Prof.Dr. Teera Chiasiripongkul, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, faculty members and executives from Mitsubishi Motors Thailand joined in congratulating the New Normal scholarship ceremony.

Students will receive a scholarship for two consecutive years, along with opportunity for internships and employment at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand, the world-class automobile manufacturer. The objective is to create “New Generation Graduates” who are specialized in automotive engineering, to drive and develop the Thai automotive industry in the future.

The MMTh VTECH Scholarship Program 2021 is a collaboration between Mitsubishi Motors Thailand and Thammasat School of Engineering (TSE), signed in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 15, 2020, with an aim to enhance educational opportunities through a full scholarship to cover tuition fees of the selected third-year and fourth-year Thammasat V-TECH students who have outstanding performance.

In addition, the program encourages students to cultivate hands-on experience through Work Integrated Learning (WIL). The successful candidates will attend an internship program and ultimately become a full-time employee of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand at Laem Chabang Factory.

This route to success is consistent to the objectives of the program that point to create “Graduates of the New Generation” and competent manpower to complement the needs of the manufacturing sector, according to Thailand’s higher education reform policy. All graduates must be capable of practically working and armed with knowledge, skills, and exceptional competencies.

There are 5 students qualified for the scholarships, namely 1) Ms. Piyatida Boonmaswai 2) Mr. Korrawit Singkaew 3) Mr. Mathanon Wattanapirom 4) Mr. Jirapat watpairun, and 5) Mr. Daranphob Santvinyoo.

SIIT of Thammasat and Van Lang University carry out MOU signing ceremony

Van Lang University (VLU), Vietnam, and SIIT, Thammasat University, arranged the virtual signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). President of Van Lang University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu, and SIIT Director, Prof. Dr. Pruettha Nanakorn, signed the MOU where Acting Consul-General of Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Natthapol Na Songkhla was a witness.

The ceremony was also attended by academic and staff members from both sides and the delegates from the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Both institutions have agreed to have academic activities such as student and faculty exchanges and research partnerships.

The collaborative education between the Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LSCM), Faculty of Commerce at VLU and the Master of Engineering Program in Logistics and Supply Chain Systems Engineering (LSCSE) at SIIT will be the first initiative.

This collaboration is based on a pre-existing relationship where the alumna from Master of Engineering in LSCSE, who is now a faculty member at VLU’s Department of LSCM, Faculty of Commerce.

Thai skincare make-over: Thammasat engineers adapt in response to sunscreen ban in national parks

The Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, is moving forward with sunscreen product labels to enforce the law in a tangible way by increasing consumer choices and adding solutions for problems with the marine environment.

Sunscreen became a social defendant when clear academic evidence emerged that some of the chemicals in sunscreen create coral bleaching. Thailand recently enacted a new law banning the import and use of sunscreen containing chemicals that harm coral in national parks that is called a “full-system make-over for the skincare industry” from the production process to the hands of consumers.

Associate Professor Dr Phanida Saikhwan, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University (TSE) reflected the interesting viewpoint of “chemical engineers” toward the enforcement of this law, because many components require in-depth understanding before taking action.

Dr Phanida said that most research in Thailand rather clearly draws the same conclusions that Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3, BP-3) and Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate) have impact on the genetic codes of living things, or the DNA of coral in which they suppress the generation of new cells with impact on growth and cause coral bleaching.

And concerning research on 4-Methylbenzylid Camphor (4MBC) and Butylparaben, although the reasons are not clearly stated, the gist of the latest announcement by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is considered to cover all types of chemicals causing coral bleaching.

Dr Phanida added that, based on retrospective investigation about the law prohibiting the use of sunscreen over the past several years, Thailand is considered to be the first country in the world to enact such a law, after the US State of Hawaii and the Republic of Palau, which is an archipelago.

Thammasat’s Faculty of Engineering views this legal mobilization as a significant phenomenon for humanity and a positive change, because it marks the start of awareness about the value of marine resources, beginning with the search for products. Chemical engineers are considered personnel with key roles in this make-over of the skincare industry with acceptance of the law and assistance starting with more environmentally-friendly production processes.

“Because chemicals are not limited to the laboratory, but appear in the daily lives of everyone, we at the Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, are determined to take the opportunity of the annual celebrations for the 32nd anniversary of the founding of the Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, on 19 August to pass the future on to a new generation of people interested in chemical engineering, so they are ready to confront the new challenges surrounding them and ready to accept constant changes in the same way as changes in the laws affecting the skincare industry. Chemical engineers have to be ready to face this change, too,” stated Dr Phanida in closing.

 

Thammasat student receives Royal Award from the Ministry of Education

Mr Atirut Deure, a fourth-year student from the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University received a royal award in the Higher Education Level 2020.

He is the only student representative from Thammasat who received the royal award in Higher Education Year 2020 due to his exceptional grades and excellent conduct.

Mr Atirut Deure said that during the application for the royal award, it was important to study and understand the criteria.

Once you have assessed yourself as having met the criteria, then collect the works, photos of activities and various certificates, with emphasis on selecting activities that are practical and useful to society, as well as selecting outstanding awards from the university, regional, and national levels to be prepared as a document for assessment, he said.

Mr Atirut added that after knowing the results of the first round of assessment, he adopted recommendations from the assessment committee to improve and make it more outstanding by focusing on presenting the commitment, diligence, self-development as well as volunteering which is more beneficial to the society as a whole.

On the day of the interview, the questions the committee asked were rather tactful and to be answered within a limited time. There were also question directly related to work and his field of study.

“Studying and documenting all the works by myself helps to answer questions better therefore, I think this is the reason I was selected to receive the royal award,” he said.

Mr Atirut revealed that there are two advantages of being assessed for this year royal award.

“The first is to foster inspiration and pass it on to fellow students, exactly as what I received from seniors or friends who have persevered in accumulating experience until they have been recognized and honored as a student who has previously received a royal award. The second is to encourage pride for educational institutions, society and nation. This is because it reflects that there are youths who are still committed to self-improvement and creating useful things in our society.

“I am greatly pleased to have received the royal award as this award is considered as a valuable stamp of the result of perseverance in the field of study, creativity and volunteering throughout my student life. However, this is not the end of success, yet a starting point of my strength that will encourage me to continue to develop myself and to develop my country by which I adhere to the principle of life that ‘To live a good life you must constantly improve yourself and that self-improvement will require perseverance and patience,’” concluded Mr. Atirut.

12 Thammasat professors listed in AD Scientific Index Rankings 2021

Professors from the Faculty of Commerce and Accounting, Thammasat University, have been listed in the AD Scientific Index Rankings 2021: World Scientist and University Rankings 2021 for researchers with competence at the university, national and global levels.

According to the database, AD Scientific Index 2021: World Scientist and University Rankings 2021 are as follows:

-Prof. Dr. Ruth Banomyong Dean, Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy

1st in in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

9th at Thammasat University

325th in Thailand

-Prof. Dr. Sakun Boon Itt, Department of Operations Management

4th in in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

14th at Thammasat University

404th in Thailand

-Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peter Ractham, Associate Dean, Research and International Affairs

5th in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

28th at Thammasat University

767th in Thailand

-Prof. Dr. Pavida Pananond, Department of International Business, Logistics and Transport

8th in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

39th at Thammasat University

1181st in Thailand

-Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mathupayas Thongmak, Head, Department of Administration

10th in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

45th at Thammasat University

1352nd in Thailand

-Prof. Dr. Nopadol Rompho, Department of Operations Management

11th in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

46th at Thammasat University

1367th in Thailand

-Prof. Dr. Anya Khanthavit, Department of Finance

13th in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

49th at Thammasat University

1516th in Thailand

-Assoc. Prof. Dr. Laddawan Kaewkitipong, Director, Master of Science Program in Management Information Systems (MSMIS)

14th in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

51st at Thammasat University

1531st in Thailand

-Prof. Dr. Siriluck Rotchankitumnuai, Department of Management Information Systems

19th in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

63rd at Thammasat University

1772nd in Thailand

-Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kritsadarat Wattanasuwan, Department of Marketing

20th in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

66th at Thammasat University

1860th in Thailand

-Prof. Dr. Pornchai Chunhachinda, Department of Finance

21st in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

67th at Thammasat University

1878th in Thailand

-Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aurathai Lertwannawit, Head, Department of Marketing

22nd in Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

71st at Thammasat University

1941st in Thailand

Educating media management professionals for sustainable development

Lecturer Ray Wang from the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication of Thammasat University recently presented his research on educating media management professionals working in communication for sustainable development.

Through in-depth interviews with both university educators at Thammasat University and working professionals from UN organizations and NGOs around Thailand, the research explored the current competencies of young professionals working in communication for sustainable development, and how universities and NGOs can collaborate together to help better prepare young professionals for this vital communication work.

The research highlights the need to better understand what skills young professionals need to excel in this type of communication work, and for more research to investigate different learning activities for developing skills and competencies for communication for development.

“The complexity of sustainability and rise of social media has certainly led to many challenges for communication professionals, and further research should focus not only on the communication aspect, but also on the education aspect.”

Ray Wang is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at Thammasat University, and a PhD Candidate in Sustainable Leadership at the College of Management, Mahidol University.

Thammasat’s Faculty of Public Health participate in Thailand Global Health Action Plan

Professor Dr. Surasak Soonthorn, the representative from Global Health Program (International Programs), Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University had been invited to participate in the 2021 Thailand Global Health Action Plan 2021-2027 seminar organized by the International Affairs Division, Ministry of Public Health to exchange knowledge and experience in global health operations and prepared an annual action plan for the year 2021 under the Global Health Action Plan 2021-2027. A total of 27 agencies attended the meeting and qualified speakers from both within and outside the Ministry of Public Health.

As a result of the meeting, the role of educational institutions with global health courses (Global Health) had been revealed. In the future, these educational institutions will play a role as academic supporters in the field of human resource development in both short-term and long-term courses. The exchange of experts in global health knowledge in the form of network partners, both within and outside the Ministry of Public Health. The exchange of experiences on the 8 Key Global Health operations, including the results of the analysis of the process of developing “Pandemic treaty” and the results of the “COP26” meeting, which will directly and indirectly affect Thailand’s global health operations. In addition, a goal has been proposed for Thailand to become “Global Health 5.0” to drive solving health problems beyond conventional health, along with the guidelines for striving to achieve such goals.

‘Hody Cheese’, plant-based cheddar cheese from hemp seeds

‘Hemp’ is becoming a common medicinal plant which is able to add value and develop into a wide range of food and beverage industries.

Similarly to ‘Hody Cheese’, plant-based cheddar cheese from hemp seeds, the work of the 3HC team that won the 2nd runner-up award from the Food Innopolis Contest 2021 in the Light Weight category under the topic of Future Lifestyle Food Innovation is as well selecting hemp seeds to use and develop into “Vegan Cheese” product, an innovated alternative food choice for the future living.

The 3HC team member consists of students from the School of Gloal Studies, Thammasat University and students from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University which are, Mr. Makhawee Sukhawattano, Mr. Rak Phatthabhakdi, Ms. Nicharee Lohakijja, Ms. Nichakarn Boonsin, Mr. Chakaphong Thepchana and Mr. Phuriphat Sivaworavet, with Dr. Supattra Suphawong as the team advisor.

Mr. Makhawee Sukhawattano, a member of the 3HC team, said that he is personally interested in hemp, therefore chose to initiate a project that is associated with hemp. Both creating the hemp development project with Hmong people, trading hemp fibers with Hmong people and having the opportunity to attend student exchange program in Japan where he traded hemp fibers with the Japanese. He noticed that hemp can be processed into food, he then discussed with the professors at the Faculty of Science and Technology. The project to develop a plant-based cheddar cheese from hemp seeds was therefore established.

‘Hody Cheese’, plant-based cheddar cheese from hemp seeds is unique from regular vegan cheese in that it has a distinct aroma with soft and chewy texture, likewise cheese made from animal milk. When baked, it can stretch exactly like real cheese. It is also high in protein as hemp seeds contain more than 30% protein in every 100 gram of weight, containing omega 3, 6, 9, that are supportive to brain, nerves, and also has antioxidants that help slowing down skin deterioration.

Ms. Nicharee Lohakijj further explained that because hemp is relatively new to Thailand, at first, there were some legal issues and had not enough supporting information. When developing the product, we were required to study the process of curdling, proper protein extraction temperature, and having had to keep experimenting. When the temperature is too high, proteins will precipitate into turbid lumps which continuous development were necessary, taking us approximately one year to develop into tangible product over the course of the competition.

Mr. Makhawee added that hemp is interesting and that the market continues to enlarge. Currently, ‘Hody Cheese’ is reaching out to companies and seek for partnership to produce their actual product with a target group of vegetarian and clean food restaurants, the price is set at about 240 Thai Baht per 10 pieces, weighing about 10-15 grams per piece which when compared to the market price, it is cheaper than imported cheese.

Thammasat University signs research license agreement with ANTITOXIN GMBH

Assoc.Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University presided over the signing ceremony of the research license agreement for “scFv Monoclonal antibody specific to the Di a blood group antigen generated by phage display technology and Anti- Di(a) Antibody method” to ANTITOXIN GmbH from Germany.

Lukas Quidenus, CEO of ANTITOXIN GmbH founded in 1966, is a company specializing in blood grouping for immunology. Mr. Lukas has shown interest in the research of Thammasat University that is compatible with the blood results of Thai and Asian population which is different from European population.

In the inspection process through this research, blood transfusion will therefore ensure the recipient receive more compatible blood and helps reduce risks and it is safer. This collaboration with ANTITOXIN GmbH will enable a research team led by Prof.Maj.Gen.Dr.Oythip Nathalang and Asst.Prof.Dr. Jeerapong Thanongsaksrikul, Lecturer of Biomedicine Program, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, to expand research results for commercial development.

This collaboration is considered the development of deep tech in biomolecular science of Thammasat University for launching market internationally which allows the development of public health and the health of global population in the future.

Thammasat University hosts regional U2T HACKATHON for central Thailand

Thammasat University hosted the regional U2T Hackathon for the central Thailand to promote brainstorming skills to find innovative solutions that respond to the local context according to the integrated sub-district economic and social upgrading project (University to Sub-district, with an Aim to Strengthen the Country’s Taproots) at the regional level for 2021 under the theme “Solutions to drive the foundation economy” in 4 areas: 1) Creative Economy 2) Technology/Health Care 3) Circular Economy and 4) Art. and Culture.

Assoc.Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, said that The competition for the central region hosted by Thammasat University allows cooperation of institutional network in the central region among the employees to brainstorm and deliver creative ideas based on the actual problems and practical needs for innovative solutions that meet the local context through Community-integrated Learning. These activities are considered excellent activities in the digital society that allows new innovations. Besides competition, it is also a good opportunity to help participants to share knowledge, learn and receive advice from experts with experience in both technology development and business in each subject area. This is a great opportunity to improve and develop the obtained skills for the real use.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sasitorn Taptagaporn, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health Thammasat University, added that the objective of U2T Hackathon 2021 is to develop employee skills to be able to understand problems, think analytically, and brainstorm and deliver creative ideas through the Design Thinking process based on problems or needs in the central region of Thailand and through the Problem-based Learning process. In addition, this will enable them to develop innovative solutions through Hackathon activities in the Educational Institutions Network for central Thailand and lastly, to support and promote the integration of cooperation between higher education institutions and communities in the central region.

The competition was open for applications and the first round of selection during May-June 2021. A total of 112 teams from 18 educational institutions have applied for this competition within 753 sub-districts of 18 provinces of the operational area. Each team consists of graduates, students, general persons, representatives of community enterprises/entrepreneurs, wisdom inheritor and community leaders. In addition, coaching activities were organized so that participants could apply their knowledge to enhance the project for the qualifying phase of 40 teams. The final round is the best teams in the central region was held during 7 – 9 July 2021 via online application, Zoom, and through live broadcasts on FACEBOOK LIVE STREAM : FPH Thammasat to represent the central region in the next national competition.

5 teams that have been selected as the representatives of the central region will participate in the national round and received the honor plaque and a prize money 50,000 baht per team. 5 teams consist of 1) Plant Pot from Samut Sakhon Community College 2) Transformed Fruit from the National Institute of Development Administration 3) Ban Tontan Handicraft: Giant Fishing Trap from Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi 4) Ab Zab Kang Krajan from Phetchaburi Rajabhat University 5) See U Banglamphu Lang from Chulalongkorn University. This allows them to use their ideas as the guide for the site development according to the guidance of mentors and community leaders for 3 months to develop a “prototype” or to study the possibility of the project before selecting top 5 ideas to drive the foundation economy in the national competition in November 2021 to further expand project and develop as the community innovative entrepreneur. The winners will win the prize of 100,000 baht per team and receive honor plaque.