Tuesday June 22, 2021 from 8:00 until 11:00 a.m. – Khon Kaen University held an orientation ceremony for the new class of graduate students for the first semester of the academic year 2021. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University conveyed an opening address, while Assoc. Prof. Pongsakorn Phanratanasin, Ph.D., Vice Dean for Administration, Planning and Quality Development of the Graduate School, Khon Kaen University made a reporting speech. The new graduate students attended the orientation both on site at Saisuree Jutikul Room, Faculty of Education and online via Zoom Webinar.
Assoc. Prof. Pongsakorn Phanratanasin, Ph.D., Vice Dean for Administration, Planning and Quality Development of the Graduate School said that the orientation was meant to inform the students about the basic information of studying at the graduate levels and to make them understand the operations of the Graduate School and related departments and organizations in facilitating the studies of all students toward their success and expectations.
“During the first semester of the academic year 2021, 1,651 students applied to study in different programs of studies at the graduate level, and 1,121 students who passed the selection criteria were enrolled to the University. Of this number, 208 are PhD level students, 37 are in the graduate diploma level, and 876 are master degree students. And of this number, there are 145 foreign students who come from Lao PDR, Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar. The orientation is the first start of the students’ programs, in which they were warmly welcomed by the University administrators and professors. The orientation also featured introduction to instruction, supplementary activities, how to live on campus and how to succeed in the studies.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University welcomed the students in his opening speech and congratulated them for being enrolled into Khon Kaen University. The President explained that studying at the graduate levels is different from studying at the undergraduate level, for these higher levels are for adults, and the programs do not involve fundamental preparation for the respective professions, but are extended from the undergraduate level.
“Studying at the graduate levels requires students to be prepared in 2 aspects: one is to acquire knowledge by yourself, and the other is that the studies emphasize knowledge construction. Therefore, the load will be on research and independent studies. The outcomes will benefit both the students and the University. When you construct knowledge, you also construct values to yourself, the institution and the society.
“In addition, students have to adjust yourself in the studies at this level, especially if you are not familiar with the University’s system or the place. The orientation today is therefore useful to you all to learn about different systems that support your studies. The Graduate School and the respective faculty will take care of you. I wish you all success in becoming a master’s degree or a doctoral degree graduate in the near future,” said KKU President.
After the opening ceremony, there was the question-answer session related to different services in Khon Kaen University, including, for example, registration via the Website of the Academic Development and Administration Bureau by Mr. Somphot Thinpru; the service provided by Office of Digital Technology by a representative from the Office; the use of information system and different online applications using the forms of the Graduate School by Mr. Apichet Boonjuang; frequent questions related to learning at the graduate levels by Mrs. Dilokrat Khotsumat. After this, there will also be the orientation at the faculties, the date of which will be announced later.
News: Rawiporn Saisaenthong
Photos: Chaicharn Lada
