Friday September 22, 2023 – Khon Kaen University held the award presentation ceremony for outstanding and honorary Sarasin researchers of 2022. Prof. Monchai Duangchinda, Ph.D., Vice President for Research and Graduate Study presented the reporting speech to KKU President, Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., who gave the opening address. The ceremony, held at Avani Hotel and Convention Center, Khon Kaen, was attended by over 200 people, including the awarded researchers this year, their families, the university administrators.
Prof. Monchai Duangchinda, Ph.D., Vice President for Research and Graduate Study reported that the Research and Graduate Study of Khon Kaen University regularly holds the award presentation to the researchers who have achieved empirical work outcomes and built reputation to Khon Kaen University, and these researchers are a good role model to the younger researchers. The year 2022 was the 11th year of the award presentation. The Vice President was pleased that there were 5 researchers receiving the Honorary Sarasin Research Awards this year, which were more than ever before. The awards covered the health science group, the science and technology group, and the humanities and social sciences group. In addition, for the outstanding researcher awards, 9 researchers were placed at the diamond level, 7 at the gold medal level and 18 at the silver medal level, totaling 39 researchers this year.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, said he was pleased and honored to present the awards to outstanding and honorary Sarasin researchers of 2022. This was a very good occasion because in 2024, Khon Kaen University will reach its 60th anniversary. Research work is one thing that confirms the strength of the university and the continuous development from one generation to the next.
“Now, Khon Kaen University is in the Global & Frontier Research group. Our important mission is to create research work and utilize its outcomes, from transfer of technology for development to creation of new products. These truly drives Khon Kaen University forward. Thank you all who are dedicated to carry out the work for the university, and thanks the families of the researchers who have given the chance and supported us. Research work is a sacrifice. Many times researchers have to return home late. So if the family had not understood, the University would not have had a lot of good research work as we do now.”
Prof. Kulthida Tuamsuk, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, one of the awardees of Honorary Sarasin Researcher this year revealed that she is a researcher working on Digital Humanity, or applying the knowledge in humanity that is cultural heritage to manage by the digital method. This concept made her become the first successful researcher of Thailand and Southeast Asia in this field.
“I’m very happy to be awarded the Honorary Sarasin Prize this year. The research work that I’m proud of is in KKU Smart Learning, which is another brand of Khon Kaen University that is known in the academic and educational circle. What I want to say to new generation of researchers to create successful work is that you should know 3 things, namely, 1) know them, or be interested in the problems of the country, the academic progress and world issues that we can be involved, can study, and can solve the problems; 2) know us, or know one’s own potential, build expertise in that field and be determined to solve the research question; 3) know what all know, or work with others or the research network, let them help us in things we do not understand and be determined to work towards the goal.”
The outstanding research award and honorary Sarasin award are the honorable prizes that Khon Kaen University awards to the selected researchers every year. This is the 11th year the award presentation has been organized. It answers the University’s policies and strategies to become a research university, to develop academic and social progress, to promote new knowledge by using research as the tool for development, administration and management of the missions of the University. The awards are the psychological support to the personnel who are dedicated to their research studies until they can create outstanding research works that benefit academic and social circles.
News: Rawiporn Saisaenthong
Photos: Atthapon Hampong
