Open Houses welcome over 500 visitors

4th year BA student Nan welcomes the visitors

Open House at Asian University

On Saturday 8 September 2007, Asian U opened its doors to visitors from the Eastern Seaboard region, Bangkok and elsewhere. Nearly 300 pupils, plus their parents, teachers and friends came to see for themselves what goes on at Asian U. Each faculty had fun activities relating to their areas of interest, and some of the games became quite competitive.

2nd year BA students Parn and Amp are proficient guides

Liberal Arts had puzzles and games relating to mathematics, English language and humanities. Parents and teachers were seen having a go at the puzzles as well as the pupils. Business faculty visitors played a stock market game and a blind tasting of brand-name drinks and food compared with supermarkets' own-brands. There were some interesting results.

Trying the taste comparison test

Budding engineers were able to study a demonstration wind turbine, experience the (safe) shock of the van de Graaff generator, and, outside they could enjoy trying to launch fruit from a medieval catapult. The visitors to the College took part in demonstration classes, and also listen to Thai music played by the pupils of the College.

Reading the news on TV (a multimedia activity)

Emglish Immersion Programme activities drew a crowd

The University clubs had displays of their activities, and of course, they were all manned by the student members. The SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) team attracted a lot of interest as their project, related to charcoal burning and the production of wood vinegar) is a real commercial venture in collaboration with villagers. Most of the action is outside the university.

Business faculty activities were fun (above and below)

During the morning, the auditorium was filled with people wanting to listen to experts in the education field. Asian University was pleased to play host to Professor Dr. Utumporn Jamornmann, Director of the National Institute of Educational Testing Service; Assistant Professor Dr. Rattachat Mongkolnavin, Deputy Dean for Academic Service, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University and Ms. Nataya Petchwathana, producer and presenter of “Opening the Doors to University Life” programme on Chulalongkorn University Radio Station. Afterwards many parents took the opportunity to talk to these experts on a one-to-one basis. Throughout the day, University students, College pupils and staff acted as guides to show visitors around, and answer questions.

The college pupils offered food for hungry visitors

The previous day, Friday 7, two hundred Matayom 6 pupils from Darasamut School, Sri Racha came to the university, located near Jomtien in Chonburi province. The youngsters had a chance to participate in the open house activities and also took entrance exams to the University. The top ten pupils will be offered 50% scholarships to come and study at Asian U next year. Some of the visitors on Saturday also took entrance assessments and the University looks forward to their joining the English language medium undergraduate programs next year.

Three smiling deans: from l to r Robert, Liberal Arts; Dr Apichat, Engineering and Dr Phornsiri, Business

HMA Conference Experience as Student Assistant

Fon with friends from Asian U and Burapha University

Some of Asian University’s BA (English for Business Communication) students assisted at the Hospital Management Asia (HMA) conference and exhibition in Pattaya last week. Nattasuda Anusonadisai (Fon), a second year student, wrote about her experiences.

“On Saturday 25^th August, a week before the HMA Conference was held, some of Asian University’s BA students, including me, were sent to Dusit Thani Resort in Pattaya to receive training. Honestly, I really didn’t know what I was going to do there because I forgot to read an e-mail from the organization. Once we reached the hotel, they put us into a meeting room where eight Burapha students were sitting waiting. Everything looks so professional that I was so tense and, to make things worse, we were late. “You never be on time working with us, you have to be early because we work as a team. If you fail, I fail,” said the chairman, which I admit it was touching.

Nan in charge of the conference room.

I was put into Program Assistants group which means one PA is responsible for one conference session. As they say “one owns one room” (i.e. controlling temperature and chairs, taking care of speakers, ushering delegates and so on.) I was a free-lancer ‘walking fast’ not running from one room to another making sure that everything plus every PA is alright and every delegate is satisfied. They said you have to always smile and make the delegates feel that you are willing to help even if they are asking for something silly like a golf ball. Somebody did ask for that, though. After the theoretical training comes the practical.Fon (right) and Yao.

On Wednesday, the pre-conference day, lots of delegates showed up. Some were kind, some were hard to deal with, however, as we are trained to put ourselves into their shoes, we treat them all the same (except for the VIPs) I recognize one VIP from the exam looking so lost and uncomfortable, so I tried to make him happy “ Hello, sir. I believe you are Mr. XX from Healthtronics. Is there anything I can do for you?” and he said, “Thank you, Fon (he read from my badge). My name is XX, I’m looking for the secretariat, but I am not from Healthtronics” I felt so embarrassed and guilty that I kept saying sorry all the way to the room. “He said it is ok but I’ve got to find out where he is from by the end of the day,” I like him.

Parn at the reception desk

Even though it was a tiring week, I do believe that every one of us learnt things we never get a chance to learn at school. I got to know new and important people, I got their name cards, I learnt how to be helpful, how to treat people right and so on. There is something Mr. Nat, the chairman, has said “In order to achieve something big, you have to make sacrifices” I believe I have sacrificed a load of my sweat to achieve this wonderful experience. It is worth it.”

Amp and First were selling at the merchandise shop.

Summer University 2007.

After three weeks, the twenty eight undergraduates and post graduates from ten different countries have just completed their “Asian Experience” with Asian U. They are returning to Europe with an enhanced knowledge of business and culture in Thailand.

They spent their first four nights on campus alongside the Asian U students, then four nights in Bangkok, and the rest of the time they stayed at the Grand Jomtien Palace hotel. They have had so many new experiences. Four separate courses were included in their program, cross cultural management and communication in Asia, International Business: an Asian Perspective, Emerging Economies in Asia and Asian Culture and Philosophy.

The lecturers were all well known in their own fields. Khun Kriengsek (The Thai Coach) enlightened everyone with information about some of the differences between us and had the delegates taking part in role plays about the way we interact with one another; James Rooney told the stories of several successful entrepreneurs, all based in Thailand. Dr. Narongchai taught about the Thai economy, Professor Krairit covered marketing and people management in Asia.

A special guest lecturer was Dr.Tengku Mahaleel Ariff from Malaysia, an ex CEO of Proton cars. He came to Asian U and gave an entertaining and informative talk on globalisation, from an Asian perspective. The auditorium was filled with the Summer University participants, as well as Asian U students and staff.

Asian U lecturers included David Tan, who gave the group a taste of Thai and Asian business law and Kelley Ritchey who covered financing in Asia. Dr. Viphandh Roengpithya (the President of Asian U) attended many of the events and gave several lectures covering the history of Thailand and some of his many experiences working in Thailand and elsewhere. Throughout the program, the participants especially enjoyed the informality and chance to talk with Dr. Vip and all the other presenters.

"The caliber of lecturers was exceptional."

Apart from the classroom experiences, the students had the chance to visit businesses in this part of Thailand. The Thai President Food (Mama noodle) factory at Sri Racha welcomed the group and Mama kindly provided a helpful guide to tell us about the plant and answer questions. Mama generously gave each delegate some samples of a new-recipe of the popular noodles. The Toyota Motor plant in Ban Po was new, big and very impressive. The environmentally friendly plant was opened at the start of the year, and assembles pick-ups for export. The group had the chance to see the assembly lines first hand, and again ask questions of the management.

The other visits were to the Bangkok Hospital, Pattaya, where again the hosts were senior staff, including Dr Iain. After a presentation on the business side of the hospital, the effects of tourist nationalities and numbers, and information about some of the special medical treatments available, a guided tour gave everyone a chance to see for themselves .The European visitors were amazed, they thought they were in a five star hotel, not a hospital! The final visit was to a real five star hotel, the Amari in Pattaya. Again, the general manager (M. Dominic), greeted the group and then Khun Sunday gave an interesting presentation about the hotel chain and the ongoing expansion and other developments. Dr. Vip was able to add some more about the history of the hotel as he has family connections. After the visit, the group enjoyed supper at Henry Bean's, with Dr. Vip as host.

"Very friendly and always helpful team, lots of activities to get a deeper insight on Thailand and its culture."

The students' representative, Adam, from Aston University, England, gave a vote of thanks to Dr. Vip for all his input, advice and help with the program. Dr. Vip gave each delegate a special present from Asian U and Thailand; a gold badge to commemorate the King's 80th birthday. Of course there were also social events, a visit to Larn Island for games; Thai culture, food and dance lessons from the Asian U students; sports and games in the University sports hall, with the Asian U students; and an international evening to give the Thais a chance to learn a little about the visitors' countries.

"An excellent combination of studies and holidays."

Elephant riding was a first for many of the group, the talk on meditation from Chao Khun Suchart at Wat Yan was enlightening, a visit to Nong Nooch was fun and interesting, Thai cooking was another experience to take home. The delegates all enjoyed themselves, and they all learnt a lot: from the lectures, the visits, the Thai students that they met, and each other. Apart from the formal activities, they enjoyed exploring on their own, and having further adventures. Joao, from Portugal, said it was hard to identify the highlight, but it was probably the lectures in Bangkok from eminent Thais.

"I really enjoyed the leisure activities. They gave a good insight in the Thai culture and those who are interested can get good information."

The final dinner was happy and sad, but everyone is leaving with a new group of real international friends in Thailand and Europe. The Staff at Asian U are now sorting out the plans for next year's Summer University!

"Invaluable experience, great value. A truly Asian experience."

The photos show the delegates “experiencing” Thailand.

Summer University 2007 has started.

Twenty-eight graduates and undergraduates from nine different European countries have just arrived for three weeks of fun and study, all as part of their Asian Experience.

Visit to Bang Pakong Power Plant

On 2 August, a group of students and lecturers from all faculties visited the Power plant at Bang Pakong. The visit was organised by the Engineering faculty, but other interested students were able to benefit from the visit too.

Bang Pakong is EGAT’s largest power plant with an installed capacity of 3,670MW. The first plant started operation in 1980, and now supplies about 15% of Thailand’s electricity demand. There are a total of eight power plants on the site with another block (steam and combined power) under construction.

The photos show the students and lecturers at the plant, with the staff from EGAT who kindly showed us around.

Peach reports on the visit to Mama noodle factory

This was written by Alisa Tantivirasut, (Peach) a first year BA student.

First, I had to admit that I didn’t want to go to the factory at all because I thought it would be boring as I have been to some factories before and they were boring. However, as soon as I got there… I thought it was a very big factory. While we were walking to a meeting room, we could smell Tom Yam Kung. It was a very good smell, we thought.Anyway, as soon as we got to the meeting room, it was just a small meeting room but pleasant. We got to see a video of a history of Thai president Food Company and how to produce MAMA, biscuits and crackers. It was pretty interesting to see how they make those products. After we finished watching the video, the lecturer came out, he was very entertaining, funny and kind so I thought no, this trip wasn’t so bad as I thought and I didn’t regret coming here. We got to ask some questions and I dared my friend to ask him if we eat a lot of instant noodles, we will have cancer or not. It was really funny that she really did ask the question and the lecturer said no. So we were kind of glad to hear that.

Students at the Mama factory

After the lecture finished, the lecturer told us that he would give us packages of instant noodles and he told us to they were already in our bus on our seats so we didn’t have to carry them, so we were all excited. After that, he took us to see the methods of making instant noodles in the factory and it was very interesting and that was it, 10 minutes touring in the factory! We took a picture together and went back to our bus, and found on our seats, some packets of noodles for us to take home. After that, my friends and I went to Tesco and yea, it was fun. We did a lot of shopping and we all had a good time.

Students at Auto Alliance Thailand

Nurse Trainers say farewell to Asian U in style.

After five weeks in Asian U’s English Immersion Programme, a group of ten Nurse Instructors from Nonthaburi have just left Asian university to return to their regular jobs. They joined forces with the undergraduate students to put on an excellent and entertaining show. The show was all in English, of course.

Twelve bankers from BAAC also left the university on the same day, after ten weeks of Intensive English, tailored to their needs.

Students and staff from the university and the College at Asian U filled the auditorium to enjoy the show.

The nurses sang and acted out sketches, and then presented hearts and roses to staff and students. The undergraduates also sang and then performed sketches that they had written about some of the differences between Thai and other cultures.

The photos (thank you Qatar) show some of the acts.