The KKU Council Chairman emphasizes Health Tech in analysis and research that creates projects to assist people, private and government sectors. The health of the people must come first. At the same time, KKU President emphasizes Telehealth or the use of information technology in medicine to be carried out through the telecommunication system in order to follow-up and carry out health care and treatment from home. An honorary KKU Council member emphasizes the creation of the country’s root from the One Tambon One University Project or From University to Sub-districts. The Vice Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation reveals the employment possibilities for 20 new graduates and local people in each of the over 3,000 sub-districts all over the country. The main aim is the reduce poverty. All are confident to pass this crisis together.
February 3, 2021 at 13:00 p.m. – Khon Kaen University Council, Members of the University Administration Committee participated in the Meeting the Challenges of 2021: Going Beyond the Cocoon of KKU Campus at Sirikunakorn 3, Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University.
The meeting between the University Council and the University Administration Committee was presided over by Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of the University Council, who gave a special talk on Meeting the Challenges of 2021: Going Beyond the Cocoon of KKU Campus. This was followed by more special talks by: Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University on development and trend of the COVID – 19 crisis and the role of Khon Kaen University in social assistance; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Weerapong Paesuwan, an honorary member of the University Council on the use of tech-based and human-based approaches for crisis management; and Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Vice Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation on expectation towards the university in assisting the people under crisis.
This meeting was aimed at promoting collaboration among all sections in Khon Kaen University and all sectors in the country under the crisis of COVID-19 that brings impact on academic institutions and the daily living of people, who should be acknowledged of the role and duties of Khon Kaen University in assisting students and staff members during the crisis. In addition, chances for assisting, developing and solving social problems are being sought for the future.
Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of the University Council said that the University Council wants to transparently collaborate with the University Administrators by holding a meeting like this at least once a year to operate the educational administration both at the individual level and at the economy level. The meeting topics will be changed according to the emerging situation. Participants can set the regulations and approaches of administration that have important effect on everyone.
“Technology will bring reality until the importance of beliefs decreases. We have the duty to create truth and to not be obsessed in beliefs. In such situation, taking care of oneself is important since there is the risk of contracting diseases. Health tech is therefore used to lessen the health risk. Thai people have different troubles, such as difference in occupation, income, and class of people. Health tech will replace the former style of work. The best way is to build a new information set with accuracy and clarity and also in real time. It is believed that data analysis will enable the government’s projects to solve the problems and needs of the people accurately. Similarly, KKU’s projects and measures, which depend on studies, analyses and research will have the same purposes. But it is important that the projects and measures must assist the people. What we do should truly assist the locals and sub–districts. It is hoped that people can take care of their health, have the occupational choices, and build social security after we have undergone this crisis together.”
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University explained about the situation of COVID-19 that there is the trend for the pandemic to decrease as the world is developing the vaccine. The vaccine to be imported into Thailand has been considered in terms of safety and storage at the suitable temperature. The President then revealed the role of Khon Kaen University under this situation in community service by Srinagarind Hospital that screens the patients and provides the frontline service. There is the use of technology for following up treatment such as the use of the telehealth system and medical information technology, digital technology and high-speed internet network in health care service for the people living far away from hospitals or clinics. The following up can be done at home so that everyone can have speed access to health service. For the students, there are measures to take care of the students such as allocation of monetary support, support of online learning, increase of employment opportunity, provision of tuition fee instalment payment.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Weerapong Paesuwan, an honorary member of the University Council explained about the importance in building community data into a big data under the One Tambon One University Project. This emphasizes development of a system that can connect and analyze data in order to upgrade the community development based on appropriate use of area innovation. Community development is viable through cooperation from all sectors, business, government, relevant organizations, that are all important components in development.
Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Vice Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation said, “The role of the Ministry can meet the crisis in many aspects, including medicine and public health, socio-economic restoration and human resource development during the COVID-19 crisis. The Ministry has the readiness to do this with the manpower, knowledge, technologies, innovations, and other resources including networks. Employment has been offered in two phases and the projects for upgrading integrated socio-economic situations in sub-districts have been initiated. There are 20 positions available for new graduates in each of the over 3,000 sub-districts all over the country. The goal is to decrease the poverty problem in communities.”
In the morning of the same day from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., the 2nd University Council Meeting of 2021 was held, the agendum of which included report of the university’s operation by the President. Then there was another meeting of the University Council and the University Administration Committee in the afternoon from 13:00 to 16:30 p.m.
On February 4, 2021, a small-group meeting was organized to brainstorm more ideas and the Chairman of KKU Council made a conclusion of the February 3rd Meeting. Participants were representatives from the Faculties of Health Science, Science and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences. Finally, the President thanked the participants at the meeting at the end.
If interested, please watch the meeting on Khon Kaen University Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/kkuthailand/videos/156280882817823
News: Jiraporn Prathomchai, Kamolchanok Chanthachot
Photos: Atthapon Hampong
