February 8, 2021 at 9:30 -11:30 a.m., at Kalaphruek Room 6, Sirikunakorn Building, Office of the President of Khon Kaen University – the 1st/2021 meeting of the Master Plan and Construction Committee of Khon Kaen University was held, presided over by Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University. The Deputy Chairperson at the meeting was Asst. Prof. Arwut Yimtae, Vice President for Infrastructure and Environment. Participants included the honorary committee members, members, deans, President of KKU Officer Council, Director of Strategy Division. A number of members attended the meeting online.
The meeting agenda included the report of the survey of Student Training Farm Station in Wangsapung District, Loei; the request for using the area of the Science Park by Office of Digital Economy Promotion; and the progress report of the renovation and design of KKU masterplan. In addition, there was the continuing agendum on the revision of the request for the use of the Medical Center flats No. 1, 2, and 3 for constructing the Excellence Center of Child Development, Faculty of Nursing. The main agenda included consideration of the request for expansion of dormitory building under the science classroom project; the construction of a building and new shooting and artery ranges; the construction project of a new office of security; and revision of the appointment for the Master Plan and Construction Committee members.
The meeting began with the President explaining the background of the Student Training Farm Station in Wangsapung District, Loei and the policy of Khon Kaen University in this respect. In the future, there will be expansion of utilization and the farm will return to be under direct responsibility of Khon Kaen University. However, there must be a survey conducted before budget allocation for renovation of buildings and the surrounding. Next, the President reported about the request for the use of the area of the Science Park by Office of Digital Economy Promotion, that this will be in accordance with the principle and process authorized by KKU for the construction, and that the parking space will be used together.
Asst. Prof. Arwut Yimtae, Vice President for Infrastructure and Environment reported on the progress of the renovation and design of KKU masterplan that the university has contracted the Asomsin Community Architect and Environment Company to carry out the work. The contract began on October 1, 2020, and there was much progress completed. Now it is being at the stage of data collection in terms of policies, population, physical data. The ground control points have been installed and are distributed all over the campus. These are useful as the references in the future on the use of campus area.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University led the session on giving suggestions in the construction of the Excellence Center of Child Development, Faculty of Nursing. The design and the use of the area will have to take into account the plans for prevention of impact that may arise on the personnel living in the vicinity, especially when it comes to noise. The participants discussed the planning of the entrance and exit way that has to take to account convenience and safety of the children. Besides, for all construction projects where big trees stand, the meeting also considered the environmental conservation issue.
The president emphasized, “Moving trees from the construction site must be done by the professionals, to make certain that those trees will continue to grow. It is not just only moving, there must also be a system for caring and watering the moved trees.”
The new shooting and artery ranges were discussed in the meeting with the assistance from the satellite images in order to see the whole picture of planning of the Sport Complex. KKU wants the construction to be in line with the planning so that the optimal benefits will arise for the students. The President is interested to see the area by himself before making decision. For the construction of new dormitory under the science classroom project, KKU, the President said that there must be great precautions to prevent impact on the environment. Safety should be observed along with the changes that can happen in the future in terms of the number of students in this program. For the necessity to construct the new Office of Security, the meeting members recommended a feasibility study and compilation of information about the suitability of the proposed area to see if there is any impact on the rainwater sewers of the adjacent offices. Although the area is now vacant for it is a lowland area, there is a need to study the impact on the environment as well. For the design of entrance and exit, convenience of the customers must be taken into consideration.
The Master Plan and Construction Committee members also discussed the problem related to parking spaces for cars and motorcycles of personnel and students as well as connection passages of classroom buildings. The meeting made an observation about the construction of a parking space related to the worthiness as well as the need for design and management that will draw students and staff members to use. This will lead to more efficiency of the use and construction, which should also involve planning of covered walkways to different buildings, with rest areas that provide beauty and harmony with the surrounding. Construction of a parking space does not only mean selection of a wide space or construction of several stories for car parking, but it can be a small, beautiful, and suitable area spread around the campus.
News: Udomchai Supannawong
Photos: Natthawut Phetpraphai
