January 19, 2022 at Conference Room, 6^th Floor, Office of the President of Khon Kaen University – Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., the President revealed the present situation in Khon Kaen University after presiding over the 2^nd/2022 Meeting of the Covid-19 Vaccination Administration Committee, Khon Kaen University, for laying strict measures against the pandemic for students and personnel.

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D. said, “For the University’s implementation of vaccination, Srinagarind Hospital now moved the vaccination service place from Central Plaza to the area in front of the lecture hall on the 3^rd Floor of the Lecture Building, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. We have the capacity for injecting 1,500 people, who can be anyone, the public, students and staff of Khon Kaen University. The service will be in accordance with the proportion of vaccination allocated by Khon Kaen Province. Now, it will be mainly Pfizer. In February, we may have Astra Zeneca.”

“We found that 98% of students have had vaccination twice already, and gradually they will receive the third shot. I can say that Khon Kaen University is successful in this regard from the rate of students and staff receiving vaccination, which is very high.”

KKU President continued to explain, “From analyzing the situation of Covid-19 pandemic from the data of Khon Kaen Province and the whole country, it has been found that Omicron can be easily and rapidly contracted, but it is not severe. Therefore, the tendency now is for vaccination, especially among the risk group, so that the death rate will decrease. As for the ways of living, some strict measures may be released, while everyone still observes mask wearing, distance keeping and regular hand washing. Teaching and learning may resume onsite. But if the course professors think that this is near the end of the semester, they may keep on teaching online until the end and start the onsite classes next semester or during the summer session.”

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai also expressed his worries about the students and personnel, “With the tendency of Omicron virus that does not seem to be severe for the patients and the ways of living as well as measures taken in Thailand that are becoming less strict, I still would like to warn students and personnel to take precautions. All should receive the required vaccination so that the death rate will decrease. Even though the vaccine does not protect against infection of the disease, it will help lessening possibility of death from the sickness. All measures should still be taken, including mask wearing, hand washing, distancing, and refraining from risk activities.”

News / Photos: Mallika Naklek, a student under the Cooperative Education Program, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

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January 10, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University joined the 1^st/2020 Meeting of the Khon Kaen University Administrative Committee, where members are the University administrators. The meeting was held onsite at Sarasin Room, 2^nd Floor, Sirikunakorn Building, and online by means of electronics video conferencing.

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University explained about the agenda of this meeting: “The Meeting of the University Administrative Committee today was on the following agenda: the subject to follow-up from the last meeting about the pandemic situation of Covid-19, to which the University is allocating an amount of budget, or 20% of the students’ tuition fee, to assist the students. The other measures will be the same, such as scholarships, providing learning kits such as notebook, part-time employment, emergency loan, lunch coupons, and other rights.

The second agendum was the situation of Covid-19. Discussions were made in 2 aspects: With the 5^th pandemic, especially the arrival of omicron and the increasing number of patients, instruction will mainly be online. Onsite classes are restricted only to those that necessitate direct contact, provided there are strict measures to guard against the infection. There will be the screening system and a risk assessment form. Any one categorized as having high risk, will be given the ATK tests. Srinagarind Hospital will buy more ATK test sets for this purpose. If the ATK test is positive but the patient shows only minor symptoms, then the patient will be asked to stay home (Home Isolation). Everything has been prepared for this. If the symptoms are severe, the patient will be asked to take RT-PCR at the hospital. It will be made certain that patients are separated from other people.

The third agendum was on the future of the Graduate School and the school’s roles. In short, the University will adjust the roles of the Graduate School so that it will carry out work on setting the direction of graduate studies, quality control for the graduates, employment of the graduates, collaboration in terms of research with the University’s research section for strengthening the research groups, locating external funds for graduate students, and enrolment of students in different methods. All will be proactive operations.

The 4^th agendum was the selection of the new Administrative Committee members. The meeting approved the selection of the 6 qualified members and the 4 heads of faculties or divisions.

In addition, there were special agenda for discussion: 1) the joint meeting of the University Council and the Administrative Committee in Nakhon Ratchasima in December. The main subjects of that seminar were: first, the University is under the Global Frontier and Research University group; secondly, the transformation of the region into the New Isan; and the last one, new technologies. The Committee has concluded the issues for which the implementation will be planned for the future.”

News / Photos: Jiraporn Prahomchai and Chatchadaporn Choenchai, a student under the Occupational Training Program, Communications Division

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Monday January 10, 2021 at 13:30 p.m. – Khon Kaen University joined Thailand American Studies Association and the United States Embassy in Thailand to hold an online seminar on: “The Post-Pandemic of Mekong Development: How U.S. synergizes with Partners in the Sub-Region?” by Zoom. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University; Mr. Kevin McCown, Political Officer and representative from the US Embassy; and Asst. Prof. Anucha Jintakanon, Acting Director of the American Studies Association welcomed the over 100 online participants from government and private sectors.

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said at the opening ceremony, “Mekong links Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is thus an important strategic point, not only for the countries in the Mekong region, but also other countries that have to rely on the road network, rail, and ships, for travelling and transporting goods. During the past decades, the enormous resources around Mekong attracted various countries to invest and develop the Mekong region. Not only the physical dimension has been developed, but also the social, economic, political, and the living of the people along the basin.”

“Development of Mekong river basin from the past until today has been done by a lot of external countries that established different funds in order to help the member countries of Mekong to strengthen their capacities in human resources such as digital development, promotion of trading and investment, economic development, border trade development, water management and building of connection and sustainable development.”

“Covid-19 pandemic and globalization itself have made the developmental dimensions of Mekong region more complex and challenging. Thailand as the geographical joint and a key member of Mekong region must plan the next steps of cooperation and the roles to take in the development of the collaboration in different aspects in the future after Covid-19. This online seminar of Mekong development is therefore an important stage to discuss collaboration for rehabilitating the countries in the region concretely,” said Assoc. Prof. Charnchai.

After the opening ceremony, Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of Khon Kaen University and Mrs. Arunrung Phothong Humpries, Ministry Ambassador, gave special talks as the keynote speakers. Following the talks, there was a round-table discussion, where speakers included Asst. Prof. Romyen Kosaiyakanon, Ph.D., a lecturer of the Management Institute of Mae Fa Luang University; Dr. Vacharasmi Seelawat, Honorary Advisor of Bolliger & Company (Thailand) and a former director of the Mekong Institute; Assoc. Prof. Phuphet Kiawpilawong, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, National University of Laos; Asst. Prof. Santi Chaisrisawatsuk, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Economic Development, the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA); and Assoc. Prof. Teerawat Charoenrat, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies and Director of the Center for Development of Entrepreneurs and Innovation of Khon Kaen University. The round-table discussion was moderated by Khun Warin Sajjadev. The session received a lot of interest from audience, before the event closed at 16:30 p.m.

News / Photos: Watchara Noichompoo

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The project: “Appropriate Technology Transfer to Community Enterprises for Raising Local Laying Hens for Marketing Healthy Eggs” was granted the research scholarship from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) in 2020. The project team consists of: Assoc. Prof. Sajee Kanhariang, Ph.D., Project head; Asst. Prof. Yupin Phasuk, Ph.D.; Asst. Prof. Yaowarat Sriwaranan, Ph.D.; and Asst. Prof. Taweesak Techakriangkrai, Ph.D.

The goal in raising native laying hens is to build standards for the farmers, strengthen laying-hen farmers, and promote village market toward premium customer groups, such as those who care for health, those undergoing rehabilitation, and the elderly group. The project promotes native laying hens developed from indigenous hens in Thailand, so that the farmers who are interested can hold this as their sustainable occupation. Farmers can raise the hens on their own as they already have access to the native laying hens. The end result would be adding value to the supply chain.

On October 5, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – the Project organized a learning and sharing activity on production and use of Black Soldier Fly and cooking dishes from the eggs from the native laying hens at the Industrial Insect Unit, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University. The participants at this workshop included 44 farmers from Muang District, Ubonrat District, Nampong District, and Banphai District, Khon Kaen.

Asst. Prof. Yupin Phasuk, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Animal Husbandry welcomed the participants to the training. Assoc. Prof. Sajee Kanhariang, Ph.D., the Project Head reported on the background of the project and the activity.

The training featured the following special talks: the basic knowledge and the benefits of Black Soldier Flies by Prof. Yupa Hanboonsong, Ph.D.; culturing and raising Black Soldier Flies by Asst. Prof. Thatsanee Jaemjanya, Ph.D.; application of natural food for the ‘Daeng Dok Koon” native laying hens by Asst. Prof. Pitchayarat Saenchaisuriya. The next session was a visit to the black soldier fly farm, led by Asst. Prof. Yaowarat Sriwaranan, Ph.D. and the research team.

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Friday October 29, 2021 from 09:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Khon Kaen University and the Ministry of Culture held the 7^th Character Licensing Workshop online by zoom meeting and onsite at Auditorium Room, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University. Khun Prasop Riang-ngoen, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture presided over the opening session. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University made a welcoming address. Among attendants were Khun Nop Thammawanit, President of the Thailand Animation and Computer Graphics Association, KKU administrators and officers from Khon Kaen Cultural Office.

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said in his welcoming speech that it was a good opportunity that this Character Licensing Workshop was held in Khon Kaen with KKU cooperation. On behalf of Khon Kaen University, the President thanked all of the sectors concerned and welcomed the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, the Provincial Cultural Head Officer, and President of the Thailand Animation and Computer Graphics Association, trainees and KKU students who were also joining the project. Participants were lucky to have a chance to learn from professional trainers. The President finally wished everyone success from the workshop.

Khun Prasop Riang-ngoen, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture explained that the Character Licensing Workshop for licensed products has been held six times before, and this is the 7^th workshop. It is the activity organized under the Thailand Creative Showcase 2021 (TCS 2021), which is aimed at enhancing knowledge and extending cultural capital among the personnel in the field of Thailand films and videos, so that they are inspired to create the works with international standards. Licensed products have been among the front-line business and can create tremendous incomes to the entertainment industry, especially animations. These can attract consumers to buy more products and the economic benefits can amount to a lot of money. The industry has occupied a place in the world market and is one channel for entrepreneurs to bring income and revenues to the country.

Khun Nop Thammawanit, President of the Thailand Animation and Computer Graphics Association         (TACGA) said, “This workshop is an extension for the character designers. It will lead to income raising, knowledge on licensing, and product development. Up to now, there have been more than 200 people in the training, who have created famous characters some of which already entered the world market. The training is scheduled for 2 days, October 29 and 30. It covers the overall perspective of the training, and one-on-one training with the trainer. The trainees will bring what they have invented back to improve before presenting to the trainer again. Twelve characters will be selected, and the creators will receive more training on December 7, this year, when only 3 will pass to go on”.

News / Photos: Jiraporn Prathomchai

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