Agreement Signing between Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Japan and SIIT

Transcription

1 Vol. 13 No. 1 March 2008 Agreement Signing between Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Japan and SIIT Professor Dr. Komei Sasaki, Dean of the Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Japan, visited the Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT) on January 21, 2008 for signing an Academic Exchange Agreement between the Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University and SIIT. Visit to Saitama University, Japan Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pruettha Nanakorn, Head of School of Civil Engineering and Technology (CET), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krishna M. Neaupane, also from CET, were invited by the International Collaborative Graduate Program (ICGP), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Saitama University, to participate in an international exchange forum held on the university premises from March 5-7, The forum was also attended by delegates from, among others, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. The team from Thammasat University also included three faculty members from the Faculty of Engineering. The event marked the beginning of the international collaborative graduate programs in the partner universities.

2 SIIT News, March Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards from The Engineering Institute of Thailand His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn graciously presided over the outstanding academic achievement awards presentation ceremony organized by The Engineering Institute of Thailand under His Majesty the King s Patronage, with awards provided by The Fund for Engineering Education and Research under the Patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand. The ceremony was held on December 12, 2007 at the Ampornstan Palace. In this ceremony, 80 students from 33 universities/ institutes received the awards, of whom five were fourth-year students of SIIT: Mr. Napadon Wantamanee from the Mechanical Engineering Curriculum, Mr. Tiwanij Ponpuntin from the Civil Engineering Curriculum, Ms. Juraphan Vongsomtakul from the Industrial Engineering Curriculum, Mr. Nawat Kujareevanich from the Chemical Engineering Curriculum, and Mr. Athipat Limmanee from the Communications Curriculum. SIIT Students Received SCG Talent Scholarships Siam Cement Group (SCG) annually awards scholarships for academic excellence to students from Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thammasat University (TU), Kasetsart University (KU), King Mongkut s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), King Mongkut s Institute of Technology North Bangkok (KMITNB), King Mongkut s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) and Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT). During January 2008, the company organized an SCG Smart & Noble Workshop at Farm Chokchai Camp, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand, to provide an opportunity for all scholarship recipients of this year to meet and work as team members. The SCG company profile and career opportunities were also presented at the workshop. On 14 January 2008, Mr. Kan Trakulhoon, the President of Siam Cement Public Company Limited, presented SCG Talent Scholarships to 122 students including 16 outstanding fourth-year SIIT students in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Technology, Information Technology and Computer Science programs. Scholarships of 30,000 baht/student were awarded to students who were ranked first. Scholarships of 20,000 baht/student were awarded to students ranked second and third. All scholarship recipients had gained cumulative GPAs of at least 3.50 for their 3 years of study. Front Row, from left: Mr. Manoon Sunkunakorn, Corporate Human Resources Division Manager, Siam Cement; Ms. Waraporn Hinkaew, Staff of Student Affairs Division, SIIT; Mr. Kan Trakulhoon, the President of Siam Cement Public Company Limited; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ruengsak Kawtummachai, Assistant Director for Student Affairs, SIIT; and Ms. Pavinee Jongjaitate, Chief of Student Affairs Section, SIIT. Middle Row, from left: Mr. Chaklam Silpasuwanchai, Mr. Chativit Prayoonsri, Mr. Leung King Chiu, Ms. Pakaporn Kantapasara, Ms. Juraphan Vongsomtakul, Ms. Puttiporn Pitakannop, Ms. Waratta Santimethvirul, Ms. Ittiporn Piriyaniti, and Mr. Theerayoth Pralomkarn. Back Row, from left: Mr. Napadon Wantamanee, Mr. Nawat Kujareevanich, Mr. Ruthat Kantaphattana, Mr. Tiwanij Ponpuntin, Mr. Swit Phuvipadawat, and Mr. Kobkrit Viriyayudhakorn. Associate Prof. Dr. Ruengsak Kawtummachai, Assistant Director for Student Affairs, participated in the scholarship presentation ceremony as the representative of SIIT. At the end of the ceremony, Mr. Theerayoth Pralomkarn, a scholarship recipient from SIIT, speaking on behalf of scholarship recipients, thanked the President and the Siam Cement Group for the scholarships awarded. SIIT would like to express our appreciation to the Siam Cement Group for the scholarships awarded to our students.

3 SIIT News, March SIIT Students Attend Technical Training in Germany Mr. Palakon Sompote from the Communication Engineering Program, Ms. Sathinee Leelatanon from the Management Technology Program, and Mr. Puwanan Chumtong from the Mechanical Engineering Program have received the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships from the University of Applied Sciences at Ravensburg-Weingarten, Germany, to attend technical training and conduct their research in Germany from 15 March to 15 June, 2008, under the academic cooperation between SIIT and the University of Applied Sciences at Ravensburg-Weingarten, Germany. Mr. Napachart Nimkiertkajon and Mr. Rangsan Ritthiphruk from the Mechanical Engineering Program have been accepted by Technische Universität Darmstadt (TUD) as exchange students to attend technical training at TUD during 1 April to 15 June, 2008, under the academic collaboration agreement between SIIT and TUD. SIIT Students Attend Technical Training at CRIEPI in Japan SIIT established academic cooperation with the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Japan, in A number of researchers from CRIEPI have visited SIIT to conduct lectures on nuclear engineering, power plant design and construction, environmental impacts and related subjects for SIIT students. This year, CRIEPI has accepted Mr. Vich Cheepsujjayan from the Environmental Technology Program, Ms. Shanya Orasutthikul from the Civil Engineering Program, Ms. Aimorn Yongvongsoontorn from the Chemical Engineering Program, and Mr. Nilun Ruengpinyophun from the Environmental Technology Program of SIIT, to attend technical training at CRIEPI during 1 April to 31 May, This technical training is part of the academic cooperation between CRIEPI and SIIT. SIIT Exchange Students to Saitama University Mr. Phatheera Jaisin and Mr. Jettanant Nittayasak, students from the School of Communications, Instrumentations and Control of SIIT, have been selected to receive the scholarships from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) to study as exchange students at Saitama University, Japan, for one year from April 2008 to March Mangrove Forest Planting On February 2, 2008, 129 SIIT students, faculty members and staff visited Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, located in the Rama VI Camp, Amphoe Cha-am, Phetchaburi Province, to join the mangrove forest planting activity. The Sirindhorn International Environmental Park was established by the cooperation of the Border Patrol Police Bureau, Huai Sai Royal Development Study Center, and the Foundation of Mrigadayavan Park under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana, on the occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn s Forty-eighth Birthday Anniversary, in The park consists of two learning centers (Energy for Environment Center and Learning Center for Recovery of Natural Resources and Environment) and two camps (Energy and Environmental Camp, and International Environmental Camp). The mangrove planting activity aimed to raise awareness of students on environmental deterioration and other environmental issues by letting them gain knowledge and experience from a natural classroom. In the morning, participants of the mangrove planting activity studied the mangrove forest ecosystem, which has become prosperous and contains high animal diversity, and then joined the planting event in the afternoon.

4 SIIT News, March SIIT Camps 2008 SIIT held the SIIT camps 2008 for high school students who have been admitted to study at SIIT in the academic year The event was held on February 16, 2008 at SIIT, Thammasat University Rangsit Center. Ninety-nine students participated in the event, which consisted of an English Camp, a Business Model Camp, an IT Camp, and a Science Camp. English Camp The English Camp was organized by the English instructors, Mr. Clement A. Trahan, Dr. Egill H. Bragason, Mr. Paul V. Neilson, Mr. Terrance J. Downey, Mr. William D. Booth, and Mr. Thana na Nagara, of the English Training Unit (ETU), with the help of volunteers from the SIIT English Club and SIIT students. The participants had a chance to practice English conversation and test their English skills through various challenging games such as word bingo, songs, improvising a picture story, English questions competition and other socially fun activities. Science Camp Business Model Camp The Business Model Camp was organized by the School of Management Technology. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somrote Komolavanij (Head of the School of Management Technology) and SIIT staff members led activities of the camp. The purpose of this camp was to make the students understand more about a business working environment. Various activities were organized to enhance the students management skills and to reflect a business working environment in terms of team working, planning and working under constraints. IT Camp The IT Camp provided the students an opportunity to learn more about Information Technology and Computer Science through a number of computerrelated games. Students were grouped and paired with one senior student from either the Computer Science Curriculum or Information Technology Curriculum. Each group took turns to play games where they learned a basic and advanced algorithm, how to solve problems creatively and mathematically through several kinds of puzzles, how to efficiently search information from the Internet, as well as team-working and inter-personal relationships. Activities of the IT Camp were supervised by Dr. Pakinee Aimmanee from the School of Information and Computer Technology. In the Science Camp, students were divided into 4 groups and participated in four activities. The first activity, the Black Sheep game, was led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Alice Sharp (Head of the Department of Common and Graduate Studies), where a series of questions consisting of 5 choices were shown and students chose the only choice that was not related to the others. The second activity, the assembly of a homemade motor, was led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Chalie Charoenlarpnopparut (Head of the School of Communications, Instrumentations and Control). The students competed in assembling the best performing DC motor from the given components. Asst. Prof. Dr. Pakorn Opaprakasit (Assistant Director for Admission and Public Relations) led the third activity, an IQ test by figures. This activity was intended for the students to exercise their brains and develop systematic thinking processes. Dr. Pisanu Toochinda from the School of Bio-Chemical Engineering and Technology led the last activity, Water Filtration. Each group of students selected various filter materials provided to make a filtration unit. The best unit was judged based on clearness of the water and speed of the filtration process. All four activities required the integration of basic science knowledge, creativity, and teamwork, to finish the job.

5 SIIT News, March SIIT Community Service Activities As part of their extra-curricular programme during the 2007 academic year, SIIT students were actively involved in three community service projects. Participation in these worthwhile activities helped the students to become more aware of their social responsibility and to make a valuable contribution towards the public good. Construction of a Multi-purpose Building at a Khon Kaen School Members of the SIIT Volunteers Club and the Issara Sarnfun Group of Thammasat University jointly undertook construction of a multi-purpose building at Baan Sawang Witthaya School, Tambol Noan Thad, Amphoe Nong Song Hong, Khon Kaen Province. From 2-12 November 2007, a group of 38 SIIT students volunteered their labour to help construct a 6 x 12 m multi-purpose building which can be used as a classroom, a community meeting place, and for other community activities. The project benefited the education of the children and also helped to strengthen the local community. Fine Smiling Camp for Children The Virtue Act Club of SIIT organized a Fine Smiling Camp for children of Baan Thi Mu Kotha, Amphoe Tha Song Yang, Tak Province, from January A group of 22 students took part in organizing recreational activities for the local children. They also presented gifts of books, stationery, and educational supplies to the Thi Mu Kotha Community Learning Center. Baan Tor Fun Camp The SIIT Virtue Act Club and Thammasat University s Issara Sarnfun Group joined together to conduct sporting and recreational activities for residents of Baan Tor Fun Home for orphans and other disadvantaged children in Amphoe Sangkla Buri, Kanchanaburi Province, from 8-10 February Fifty-seven SIIT students helped to organize activities for over 400 children from Baan Tor Fun Home and nearby villages. Clothes and toys were also given to disadvantaged Karen children.

6 SIIT News, March SIIT International Night On 29 January 2008, the SIIT International Office, the Student Affairs Division, and the Student Committee jointly organized an extra-curricular student activity SIIT International Night for Academic Year 2007 at SIIT Main Building (Rangsit Campus). Professor Dr. Sawasd Tantaratana, Director of SIIT, officially opened the function which was designed to promote Thai arts and culture, and cultural exchange among international students and local students as well as faculty and staff members of SIIT. More than a hundred Thai and international students, faculty and staff members of SIIT attended the function. Static and interactive displays included Thai desserts, IKEBANA (Japanese traditional flower arrangement), a computerized dance and aerobic exercise mat, cultural information booths, and a balloon dartboard. An SIIT Thai Classical Ensemble rounded off the evening with items of Thai classical music and dance. SIIT Director s Cup Soccer Competition Sixteen teams of SIIT students participated in the SIIT Director s Cup Soccer Competition during December 2007 February On 28 February 2008, the final round of the competition took place on the SIIT soccer field at Rangsit campus. The cup winner was Khong Beng Sang Lui team. Second and third places went to Ha Yo and ChE teams, respectively. The competition, a pilot project initiated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ruengsak Kawtammachai, Assistant Director for Student Affairs, was designed to help students develop team work and management skills through organizing and raising funds for a planned activity. The competition was well managed by the voluntary organizing committee consisting of Mr. Burin Setsirimongkol, Mr. Pongpipat Suksardoh, Mr. Choosak Anathamsombat, Mr. Patanapong Visetpornluk, and Mr. Weerachart Singkarin. The balance of the funds raised for the competition will be used to finance sporting activities of SIIT students in the future. The SIIT News is published quarterly by SIIT. Executive Editor: Prof. Dr. Sawasd Tantaratana Editors: Ms. On-Anong Suraniranat Mr. Paul V. Neilson Mr. Terrance J. Downey Editorial Assistants:Ms. Mo Mo Tin Ms. Ornanong Choosuwan Mr. Samrit Sriboonthieng Mr. Peerasak Raksanont For additional information about SIIT, please contact: Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology Thammasat University P.O. Box 22, Thammasat-Rangsit Post Office Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) , ~9 Fax: +66 (0) ~3