Tuesday January 25, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. – Khon Kaen University by the Art, Culture and Creative Economy Section, the Cultural Center, Student Union, Medication and Moral Club, Tradition and Buddhism Club, and Art and Cultural Network, held a merit making by offering foods to monks on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of the Khon Kaen University foundation. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University and his wife Dr. Uanjit Panthongviriyakul presided over the food offerings, along with Assoc. Prof. Kittichai Triratanasirichai, Ph.D., a former KKU president; Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture and Creative Economy; Assoc. Prof. Maitree Inprasitha, Ph.D., Vice President for Education and Academic Service; Asst. Prof. Arwut Yimtae, Ph.D., Vice President for Infrastructure and Environment; Asst. Prof. Tala Thammaroj, M.D., Vice President for Administration; Assoc. Prof. Piansak Pakdee, Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relation; Asst. Prof. Denpong Soodphakdee, Ph.D., Vice President for Digital; Assoc. Prof. Kriengkrai Kitjaroen, Ph.D., Vice President for Human Resources; Prof. Thidarat Boonmars, Ph.D., Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise; and KKU administrators, deans, lecturers, staff members and students. The ceremony was held at Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University.
The merit making and food offerings to monks on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of the University were held as the auspicious event. It was also the dedication in memories of the passed away lecturers, administrators, staff and students, as well as to nurture graceful tradition and Buddhism. At the ceremony, there was a prayer that was dedicated to the ancestors and benefactors of Khon Kaen University. The President led the participants in the ceremony to offer foods to 19 monks, followed by presentation of alms and breakfasts to 10 renowned monks:
Luang Pu Thongin Katapunyo, Prachakhom Wanaram Monastery (Pa Kung) Srisomdet District, Roi-et Luang Pho Sutham Suthammo, Ban Tad Forest Monastery, Muang District, Udonthani
Luang Pho Khamsod Aruno, Ban Phoem Forest Monastery, Na Yoong District, Udonthani
Luang Pho Samdong Chantachoto, Aranprommaram Monastery, Pathai District, Nakhon Ratchasima
Luang Pho Bunjan Katapunyo, Kudchim Forest Monastery, Muang District, Nong Bualamphu
Phra Ajarn Suban Siritaro, Pha Koeng Cave Monastery, Wiangkao District, Khon Kaen
Phra Ajarn Preedee Phollayano, Kittiyanusorn Forest Monastery, Phu Winag District, Khon Kaen
Luang Ta Intasiri, Pha Daeng Pha Nimit Cave Monastery, Nam Pong District, Khon Kaen
Phra Ajarn Manunchai Manunyapalo, Satthathamwittaya Forest Monastery, Kantarawichai District, Mahasarakham
Phra Ajarn Sakorn Ariyo, Phu Mengthong Forest Monastery, Nongrua District, Khon Kaen
The monks then prayed and sprinkled sacred water for participants’ prosperity and luck. The organizing committee decided that this year, the University would refrain from food offerings at the 50th Year Sport Center of KKU due to the spread of Covid-19. At the ceremony this year, strict precautions against Covid -19 were taken. All attendants, the number of whom was limited, must have received vaccination, checked the temperature before entering the venue and wore hygiene masks all through the event.
Khon Kaen University is in its 58th year after the foundation. The progress of the University passed the first period: the foundation and expansion towards the second period: development and knowledge construction. Now, it is at the 3rd period: Research University and a leading research university that is being transformed from the globalization era. The academic and technological growth is at present leaping. With the impacts from socio-economic changes, Khon Kaen University still grows, with bigger faculties and institutes. The University is aiming towards being a Social-Devotion University, and thus supports the use of research outcomes for the benefits of the communities. There is the Sufficiency-Economy Prototype Community Project that is operated all over the Northeast. With integration of the various sciences, the quality of life of the people in this area is better. Meanwhile, the University is developing into a Lifelong Learning Center, with allocated zones on campus for sport parks that are open to people outside to use, conservation of former forest areas, an area for bird study, an Agro Park, and a Culture Park. At present, the public come to KKU to these places to obtain more experiences.
Khon Kaen University is receiving evaluation from external and internal organizations. The evaluation has been conducted on the University as a whole, on different faculties, and on different programs. The standard criteria are used at both the national and international levels including for example, QS Ranking, Times Higher Education, and others. Khon Kaen University has been evaluated by THE (Times Higher Education) as the first University in rank in Thailand. For Social Impact, KKU is ranked under the 15-40 places in Asia and 101-200 places of the world. Other assessments KKU received are: from the Office of Higher Education Commission using the Education Criteria for Performance Excellence (EdPEx), Thailand Quality Awards (TQA) and Thailand Quality Class (TQC). KKU is the first university in Thailand to be awarded the TQA prize. Also, KKU is at the 4th order in the rank of the country by ISC World University Ranking 2021.
