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.

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.