Student Fon represents Thailand in Japan

Fon, second left, playing Koto.

2007 was the 120^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Thailand and Japan, and there were many celebrations throughout both countries. Nattasuda Anusonadisai (Fon), a second year student at Asian University was chosen to represent Thailand at one such event. She writes:

“I was invited to perform Thai Dances in a prefecture called Saga on Kyushu Island. Despite the fact that I was a solo dancer, there were a couple of youngsters from Udonthani invited to present how well Thai agricultural areas are being developed with Japan’s support. The main event was held on 2 December, but we got there a week earlier because of the meetings with the Governor plus some formal preparation and practices. Frankly speaking, I was so tense. All the governmental processes went smoothly and the Governor was so sweet. He even tried to make conversations about sports: “How was the last Thai Vs Japan baseball score?” Baseball is so popular in Japan but I hardly ever heard anybody speak about it in Thailand or, do they? After all the governmental complexity, we were taken to see the local sights and we visited some high schools and ‘Care for the community’ houses.

A couple of days before the main event, my adopted “mother” (the one I have known for many years, from back when I was on an exchange program) was informed that I had to play the Koto (a Japanese musical instrument) for the opening, in my dance costume! It took me ages to recall all those lessons, and to tell the truth, I was way more excited and worried about this than my twenty minutes of three Thai dances.

When the day of the performance came, a stagehand briefed me to get behind the curtain once the Koto playing was finished, then catch my breath before going out to perform my two songs. It was not easy, because those two songs lasted for about seventeen minutes and I had to give my professional smile to the audience for the whole time. So when anybody asks how I felt about it, I simply said ‘Good’, just to make sure that I am not fainting while doing the next performance. The first two dances were ‘Rabum Sri Nuan’ and ‘Rabum Mae Bot Lek’ which belong to the middle Thai and the last one that required a different costume is called ‘Rabum Sri Wichai’ from Southern Thailand.

I admit it was tiring but it really was worth doing and I was so happy and grateful that I got the chance to represent my country- it is an honour that I will remember for the rest of my life. Besides, it was so exciting to be in the Japanese newspapers and on the local TV!”

More success

Panasonic Scholarship

Sathita Kaveevivitchai, who was named in the President’s list of outstanding students in 2004 and 2005, was the first woman president of Asian University’s Student Union during the academic year, 2005-2006.

In 2007, Sathita graduated with a First Class Hons degree in Information Systems Engineering and won a scholarship from Panasonic Co Ltd. to continue her studies for a Master’s degree in Computer Networks. She is one of three Thais (from over three hundred applicants) to be awarded these scholarships by Panasonic to study in Japan. Sathita will start her studies in Japan next February and in the meanwhile she is brushing up her Japanese language skills to help her to settle in.

SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) Award

Asian University’s SIFE team has been awarded $650 by the headquarters of the organisation to further their business activities in Thailand, Natchapon Changsatitwong, the SIFE team leader, learnt recently. The team is excited as this will enable them to make further progress and also increase the number of villagers actively involved in their Char-Chain Reaction.

The aim of the Char-Chain Reaction is to establish a model of organic agriculture by spreading knowledge of organic products to interested groups through permanent exhibitions. In particular the students have concentrated on improving the production, packaging, marketing and use of wood vinegar, produced as an organic by-product of charcoal burning.

Earlier this year the Asian U team was in Bangkok for the Thai National final competition. Asian U came first in their group in the first round after giving a presentation, in English, and showing off samples of their wood vinegar, brand name “Awake”. Awake has already been produced and sold in Sambandid.

Asian U students visit Pattaya Orphanage.

On Wednesday 14 November, about 40 Asian University students travelled by bus from campus to the Pattaya Orphanage. They took along some food, for supper, and some games to play with the children. They also took along a few treats for the youngsters.

The orphanage was founded by Father Ray Brennan, a Redemptorist Priest. He was in Pattaya when a tiny, unwanted infant was left with him in 1970. Soon, by default, Father Ray had an orphanage. It became his life’s passion, and the work grew and grew.

After a brief introduction to the orphanage, which has over 170 children in residence, the students visited the nursery and played with the infants for a while. Then they met up with the older children and played with them, inside and out. Some students went to join the deaf children, and learnt a little about the hardships of using sign language.

The students, lead by the chairman of the Community Service Committee, Khun Bic, organised games and took part with the children, talking with them in both Thai and English.

The staff of the home prepared a meal for everyone, using some of the donated food and drink from the students, and after everyone had enjoyed their ice creams, the students returned to campus on Highway 331.

The photos (mostly taken by Ajarn Robert) show the Asian U students playing with the children at the orphanage.

Asian University’s Ninth Mini Marathon: 2007

Every year, at the beginning of November, the Sports staff organise a mini marathon; twice round the campus of Asian University or approximately 4km up and down hill. The event is open to everyone at Asian U: University students, College pupils, faculty members, maintenance and cleaning staff.

A single lap relay race was run first and then the main event; the ninth mini-marathon. The overall winner was China Tosinthiti or Ninja, a second year engineering student, who finished the course in 15 minutes, over two minutes ahead of the second student, Anat Tangwisesphabul or Pop, another second year engineering student. A third year multi-media student (Watunyu Chaiyasit, also nicknamed Pop) came third.

Sirima Monphananeewong or Sima, came first of the female students in just over 22 minutes; she is a second year business student. First (4th year Liberal Arts) was third and Jo (2nd year multi-media) came third.

The fastest in the male staff category was Apisit, one of the maintenance team, and the first female staff member was College teacher Shayapa.

There were several categories of awards: students, staff, males and females, College pupils, which meant that there were lots of medals presented to happy runners. After the ceremonies, there was a barbecue for everyone to enjoy.

The photos show some of the participants and winners.

Asian University welcomes Mahidol University for sports day

Asian University played host to Mahidol University International College on Saturday 3 November in their annual competition. This year was the turn of Asian University, on Highway 331, to invite Mahidol University from Bangkok.

The day started with a traditional welcome to the visitors at Asian Unversity’s modern sports facility. A full day of sports had been arranged and both universities won several games and matches.

There were a number of sports on the agenda with the first being the men’s basketball match, which Mahidol won with a comfortable lead. Many other sports followed, such as the men’s and women’s table tennis and single and mixed badminton matches as well as the first ever women’s volleyball match. Both universities took an equal share of wins in all of these matches.

One of the highlights of the day was the men’s volleyball game with each team taking a game apiece with the two point advantage changing sides frequently; this ensured a very entertaining and nail biting time .

The third and deciding game was a very tight affair with Asian University taking the final score of the game to 15 – 12 resulting in a narrow but well deserved win.

The final match of the day was the football game which was played outside in the true tradition of the game under a beautiful setting sun in the natural surroundings of the campus.

Mahidol was leading 2-0 at half time when Asian U fought back to bring the score at the ninetieth minute to a very respectable draw of 3-3.

The day finished up with a BBQ and a show by Asian U’s dance and music club. It was a truly wonderful day of sports and another step in cementing a strong inter-university sports and academic relationship, which has now been growing for five years.

Graduation Day 2007

On Tuesday, 25 September Lord Ronald Oxburgh came to Asian University, near Jomtien, to confer degrees to the 2007 graduates. Lord Oxburgh joined graduands, alumni, students, parents and university staff for this special occasion. The procession of faculty members was led into the auditorium by Dr. Dhriwit, where students and guests awaited. The University President, Dr. Viphandh Roenpithya, welcomed everyone, especially Lord Oxburgh. Other honoured guests included Khun Apiradee Yimlamai and Khun Jongdee from the BAAC (Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives) which has provided scholarships for some of the bank staff’s children to study at Asian U. Khun Nopakhun Sriprayoon and Khun Kansiree Chaichermchome, from Bangkok Bank and Mr. Chartchai Sripo-orn, an official from Banglamung District, were also in the audience.

Dr. Vip then gave a brief report on the university's successes over the last year. He highlighted the Summer University, an Asian Experience for western students; the Summer Camps which had been attended by a record 300 young people this year and also the recently established links with AIT (Asian Institute of Technology).

Dr. Vip then announced the 2007 President’s Awards. These were made to two of this year's outstanding Asian U students. The first to Miss Sathita Kaveevivitchai, who has a First Class Honours degree in Information Systems Engineering, with an overall GPA of 3.91. Apart from studying hard, Khun Wan (below) was also president of the Student Union two years ago. She is one of 3 Thais, from over 300 applicants, who have been awarded Panasonic scholarships to further their studies in Japan, where she will be heading later this year.

The second award was to Mr. Songkiet Chongchitaporn who (with a GPA of 3.94) has a First Class Honours degree in English for Business Communication. Sanz applied for a position with Qatar Airlines, and was one of two candidates, out of 400 applicants, to be offered a place. He is currently participating in their training programme.

Awards were also given to four faculty members for their achievements and contributions to the University. Dr. Danai (Engineering), Ajarns Susan and Ania (both Liberal Arts), and Ajarn Jumpon, an alumnus and now a tutor in the Faculty of Business.

After he had conferred the degrees, Lord Oxburgh congratulated the new graduates and then addressed the audience. He told the graduates how lucky they had been to enjoy an international programme with plenty of native speaking lecturers, as well as small classes. He also mentioned that the salaries offered to the new Asian U graduates are amongst the highest in Thailand, and that the very low (better than 4:1) staff to student ratio encourages and enables the students to develop independent thought. They have plenty of opportunities to be challenged and also to challenge their lecturers which would not be available elsewhere. After suggesting that the new graduates thank their parents for making it all possible, Lord Oxburgh offered them his best wishes for the future.

The photographs show the proud and happy graduates with friends, family and guests.