September 16, 2020, 16:00 p.m. at Rachawadee Resort and Hotel – Khon Kaen University by Research Administration Division held a prize awarding ceremony to honor 2 outstanding researchers. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University presided over the ceremony. Prof. Monchai Duangchinda, Ph.D., Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies; Assoc. Prof. Maitree Inprasitha, Ph.D., Vice President for Education and Academic Services; Prof. Phewpan Maleewong, M.D., Assistant to the President for Research and Graduate Studies; deans, directors of offices and research institutes and the 2 researchers attended. The prize was the Honorary Sarasin Award.
Prof. Monchai Duangchinda, Ph.D., Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies explained that the key intention in presenting the Sarasin Honorary Researcher Award, which is held every year, was to show KKU’s appreciation towards high-potential and capacities of researchers. There are 8 silver medal prizes, 7 golden medal prizes, 4 diamond-level prizes, and 2 Honorary Sarasin Awards, the last being the top prize of KKU researchers who has higher than 100 articles published at the international level. To attain this high level is not at all simple. The researcher must be excessively determined. KKU wants to have this kind of researcher model as a guide for other young researchers to follow. The University has awarded the prizes for nearly 10 years. The prizes are divided into 3 fields: health sciences, sciences and technologies, and social sciences. All researchers awarded have brought reputation to the university, for their works have been published internationally. These researchers have also collaborated with different universities and institutions abroad and the works are truly used and benefit communities and society. The researchers awarded also are professors in the masters’ and Ph.D. programs.
“Congratulations to all of the awardees today. You are highly competent and key personnel of Khon Kaen University. We hope you will move on and be a good role model to the next generation of researchers,” Prof. Monchai ended.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University also congratulated the researchers by saying, “Today, Khon Kaen University is proud and honored. The awardees have carried out valuable research and made KKU known. You are the power behind KKU’s high rank in the World University Ranking and a leading university in the country. I appreciate your dedication towards the works.”
The atmosphere before the ceremony started was pleasant with the awarded researchers gradually arriving, with friends and many others congratulating them by giving presents and bouquets of flowers. The ceremony then began with video show announcing the names of awardees, followed by prize conferral. In addition, the participants sang a song together led by the President, as a token of appreciation to the researchers.
Prof. Dr. La-orsri Sanohmuang, an Honorary Sarasin awardee gave an interview to the kkunews team, describing her feeling and approaches used in doing research in the topic of high quality. The important elements, she explained, include the academic readiness of the researchers, support from the superior, and assistance from graduate students. At the same time, networks with overseas scientists are another issue that helps towards publication at an international level. For an academic institution, research work is excessively important. In the university ranking, they also look at published works and quoting or impacts in academic, social, and the environment. If an institution is ranked highly, the institution will attract more students to enroll.
“I’m very happy with this Sarasin Honorary Researcher Award, which is the highest award for KKU researchers given to dedicated researchers. I personally believe that it is very difficult to carry out over 100 research studies. All through the 30 years of research, I have been patient and determined. I’m lucky to have Ph.D. students assisting and also good colleagues and overseas friends who have provided supports until I’m successful,” Prof. Dr. La-orsri said.
Prof. Dr. Alisara Ruangsaeng, the other Honorary Sarasin awardee said in the interviewing that she is pleased with the prize, for the works leading toward the prize were accumulated all through her work. The success was from many things, firstly herself. She loves doing research and when she does, she wants to finish it. Besides, there must be responsibilities, which are in doing research by means of instruction at a graduate level. That is another stimulating factor leading towards success owing to the duty to produce graduates at the master’s degree and doctorate degree.
When asked about the definition of quality research, Prof. Dr. Alisara said that there are many meanings. We all heard about ‘research on the shelf’, which can be defined as the research published and had a lot of references and impact. “Research on a mall’ may be defined as research that leads to manufacturing of commercial goods. These are perspectives of definition. Sometimes, we also look at the research types, such as Basic Science or Application Research, which also differ.
The 2019 awarded researchers are as follows:
Sarasin Honorary Researcher Award: Prof. Dr. Alisara Ruangsaeng, Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Technology
Sarasin Honorary Researcher Award: Prof. Dr. La-orsri Sanohmuang, International College
Diamond Research Prize: Prof. Dr. Somdech Kanokmethakul, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences
Diamond Research Prize: Prof. Dr. Pranom Chantaranothai, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences
Diamond Research Prize: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sathit Saejueng, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences
Diamond Research Prize: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siwat Sripokangkul, College of Local Administration
Golden Medal Research Prize: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supree Pinitsunthorn, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences
Golden Medal Research Prize: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bandit Chumworathayee, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine
Golden Medal Research Prize: Prof. Dr. Chatlert Pongchaikul, M.D., Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Golden Medal Research Prize: Prof. Dr. Piyathida Theerakulpisut, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences
Golden Medal Research Prize: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Natthida Weerapreeyakoon, Academic Office, Faculty of Agriculture
Golden Medal Research Prize: Asst. Prof. Dr. Chokechai Yuenyong, Academic Office, Faculty of Education
Golden Medal Research Prize: Asst. Prof. Dr. Sakarin Nontaphot, Faculty of Integrated Social Sciences
Silver Medal Research Prize: Asst. Prof. Dr. Weerayut Supiwong, Faculty of Applied Sciences
Silver Medal Research Prize: Prof. Dr. Yupa Hanbunsong, Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture
Silver Medal Research Prize: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jakchai So-in, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences
Silver Medal Research Prize: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thawat Changphus, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences
Silver Medal Research Prize: Dr. Permsak Paholphak, M.D., Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine
Silver Medal Research Prize: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khamsing Nonlaopon, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences
Silver Medal Research Prize: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Poramet Banthoeng, Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture
Silver Medal Research Prize: Asst. Prof. Dr. Niwat Srisawat, Academic Office, Faculty of Agriculture
[ Thai ]
News / Photos: Udomchai Supannawong
