Monday August 15, 2022 – The Research and Academic Service Section, Division of Research Administration, Khon Kaen University held a prize awarding ceremony to outstanding and Sarasin-Honors researchers of 2021. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University made an opening address after Prof. Monchai Duangchinda, Ph.D., Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies delivered the reporting speech. The event, held at Orchid Ballroom 3, 2nd Floor, Pullman Raja Orchid Hotel Khon Kaen, was attended by the awarded researchers as well as those joining to congratulate them.
The awards for outstanding and Sarasin-Honors researchers are the valuable and honorable prizes that Khon Kaen University bestows on certain researchers every year in order to promote the creation of research and to award the personnel who are dedicated and determined to produce outstanding works until they have been published in renowned journals. In 2022, the award presentation ceremony has been organized for the 10th time.
Prof. Monchai Duangchinda, Ph.D., Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies related that the ceremony this year was supported from the University’s revenue of 2022. Up to the present time, 289 prizes have been awarded. This year, there are 39 prizes divided into 38 prizes for outstanding researchers, which include 19 silver medals, 14 golden medals, and 5 diamond-level prizes; and one Sarasin-Honors award.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University congratulated the 39 awarded researchers with appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice in their works, which include instruction as well as academic services.
“This ceremony is the occasion that we can thank the researchers for bringing good reputation to the university. KKU is among the Global & Frontier Research group that emphasizes world-leading research. The World Rankings are like the important strategy behind our work and attempts. The key indicator is the research work. The 39 awarded researchers are the major part that pushes KKU towards very good World Rankings, and brings pride to the university. On behalf of KKU, I am proud of your valuable works. Besides your own reputation is the reputation of Khon Kaen University.”
Prof. Somchai Pinla-or, Ph.D., who is granted the Sarasin-Honors award 2021 said that he was very happy and honored when he learned about the award that brings pride to his life as a university’s lecturer, for the prize is the greatest for the research work. He then thanked the Research Section and the University for awarding him this prize.
“The research work I’m most proud about is the study on the mechanism behind the liver fluke disease that leads to cholangiocarcinoma. We conducted the study on experimented animals, from feeding mice to cause cholangiocarcinoma. There were a lot of evidences that have proved that liver fluke is the main cause of cholangiocarcinoma. This work was published in Q1 journal. The work has been taken as part of the national policy and brought impact to the society.”
Prof. Somchai Pinla-or went on to explain about the principle behind his work. He believes that researchers must be honest and hold on to integrity in the work. Researchers must believe in the academic validity and correctness. Sometimes, research studies may be erroneous. But if we believe about correctness, we will be able to finally solve the problem. In addition, lecturers do not have to conduct research only, we have to teach and give academic services, nurture the art and culture. Therefore, we must balance these duties effectively. For example, I don’t have only the research duty, I also used to be the chairman of the graduate studies in the past. I was responsible for the curricular standards of the programs at the master’s degree and doctorate degree level. At present, our students’ work also adds to our research outcomes. The bodies of knowledge obtained are used to teach graduate students and undergraduate medical students. Therefore, we have to balance our duties well, not emphasizing only one of them. In addition, we also have the duty to take care of our family so that everyone is happy.
News: Rawiporn Saisaenhong
Photos: Natthawut Jaruwong
