Mahidol University International College (MUIC) announced on January 24, 2025 that it will switch to online classes from January 25 to 31, 2025 due to the high level of PM2.5 in Nakhon Pathom province where its campus is located.
In a Town Hall Session held at the Spectrum Screening Space (A556) in Aditayathorn Building (both on-site and online), MUIC executives led by Prof. Chulathida Chomchai, MD, MUIC Dean, announced the decision to shift to online classes, explaining that their top priorities are ensuring that the college delivers quality education and also providing a safe and healthy environment to the MUIC community.
According to IQAir (www.iqair.com ), the air quality in Salaya, Nakhon Pathom province as of 1:00 pm of January 24, 2025, is 185 (Unhealthy). Air quality has been at a similar level in the past week.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Chompunuch Pongjit, Associate Dean for Educational Affairs, said that faculty members can use either of the three online platforms: Webex, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.
Preparation Center for Languages and Mathematics (PC) classes along with Creative Technology classes handled by faculty members from the College of Music and Faculty of Engineering will also be moved to online platforms.
All extracurricular activities in and off-campus have also been postponed until further notice, according to Ms. Wimonsiri Hemtanon, Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
Dean Chulathida said students can still come to the campus and use its facilities like classrooms, library, and co-working space to attend their online classes, conduct research or meet with their classmates for their group activities The Dean gave assurance that the PM2.5 levels in MUIC’s classrooms are much lower thanks to the college’s air filtration system and standalone air filters in the classrooms and offices. Faculty members are also welcome to come to the campus to conduct their online classes. The Dean reminded both the students and faculty members to make sure they wear PM2.5-resistant masks like N95 whenever they are outdoors.
Dr. Laddawan Jianvittayakit, Associate Dean for Environment and Sustainable Development, announced that MUIC is providing PM2.5-proof masks, adding that they can be claimed at the Student Affairs Office in Building 1 and at the Office of Academic Affairs in Aditayathorn Building.
Dr. Chompunuch said that air quality would be continuously monitored and evaluated and that the executives will announce on the afternoon of January 31 if the online classes would be extended or if in-person sessions will resume the following week.
