Monday March 22, 2021 at Sarasin Room, 2nd Floor, Sirikunakorn Building – Khon Kaen University led by Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., the President and the University administrators welcomed the delegation of the Parliamentary Commission of Science, Technology, Research and Innovation led by Mr. Akkarawat Assawahem, the Commission Chairman; Professor Kanok Wongtra-ngan, Vice Chairman; Miss Sakuna Saranan, a Commission member; Miss Pimrapee Panwichatkul, a sub-committee member and 20 delegates.
The visit to Khon Kaen University of the Parliamentary Commission of Science, Technology, Research and Innovation was to conduct a study on the instructional system, the use of educational technology and research results for the development and utilization of bio-diversities for occupational development and income increasing for the farmers. The event began with Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., KKU President conveying the welcoming address, followed by Prof. Dr. Monchai Duangchinda, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies giving a talk on “Overall Perspectives of KKU Research Work”. Next, Asst. Prof. Dr. Denpong Soodphakdee, Vice President for Digital gave a talk on “Online Instruction of Khon Kaen University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Darunee Chotisayangkoon, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture gave a talk on “the Program for the New Breed of Graduates”; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wisapat Chaichuay, Chairperson of the Administrative Committee of the Information Science Program gave a talk on “Managing a New Program for the New Breed of Graduates in Information Science of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.”
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University thanked the Commission Chairperson and the delegation for the honor given to Khon Kaen University by this study visit. Khon Kaen University has set the administrative approaches for driving forward the vision of the University Council in becoming a world-class research university. As far as instruction is concerned, Khon Kaen University emphasizes education for all age levels, by transforming the teaching paradigm to one that teaches students to think, developing online instructional media, modifying curricular content so that all programs incorporate other sciences, and developing necessary skills for the future world for the learners, especially in information technology so that when graduated, they will be able to lead others in social development, create technologies and innovations for the country.
“In terms of research, Khon Kaen University has transformed from research that used to be based on the interest of researchers to research based on interests of users or national problems. Single research work or group research is changed to team research in order to answer a bigger issue with high impacts so that the research results can be put into real use and products and innovations produced that meet the research policy of the country. This will upgrade the level of income of the population and help them out of the medium-income trap. I hope that Khon Kaen University will receive suggestions from the Commission that are useful for our development and our work in all dimensions,” said the President.
After the talks on the new programs by the Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Kanok Wongtra-ngan, Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission of Science, Technology, Research and Innovation commented that the two programs are very useful and have shown evident outcomes of the implementation. Therefore, the lessons learned from these two programs should be recorded and presented so that other universities adopting the idea can minimize the errors that can arise.
“I’d like it to begin at Khon Kaen University, with all faculties changing their programs by taking the lessons learned from the Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (iSchool KKU) in their implementation. Khon Kaen University should compile the problems that have arisen concretely. These lessons are very valuable, so I don’t want any trial and error. I’d like Assoc. Prof. Dr. Darunee and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wisapat to relate about the important problems and the risks from the change. How do you tackle the problems? We will present this to the Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education to see if he is informed of such problems. Therefore, KKU may compile the information by asking: if we have to modify a curriculum, what relevant people – the Minister of Higher Education, the President, Deans, professors and students should do? The answers will be our conclusion. We will present this information at the next parliamentary meeting,” said Professor Kanok Wongtra-ngan.
At the end of the morning session, the delegation went to the exhibition and demonstration of online instruction, management of the new paradigm of programs. In the afternoon, the delegation then visited the KKU Smart Learning Program at Ubonratpittayakhom School. The study tour of the Parliamentary Commission of Science, Technology, Research and Innovation lasted from March 21 to March 23, 2021 in Khon Kaen. In the morning of Tuesday March 23, the plan is to visit the prototype farm of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Project at the Faculty of Agriculture with Prof. Yupa Hanbunsong, Head of the Department of Entomology and Plant Diseases showing the delegation the operations. In the afternoon of the same day, the visit will be at the KKU – Thailand Science Research and Innovation’s cricket farming project, with Assoc. Prof. Rangsan Niamsanit, Director of the Institute for Research, Strategies and Cooperative Coordination for Northeast Development and Mr. Phet Wongtham, Head of Saento Village showing the delegation the farm management.
News: Rawiporn Saisaenthong
Photos: Natthawut Jaruwong
