OCT-DEC 2022
MUIC 360 Degrees
EDITORIAL
A Nurturing Institution
The word “incubator” has several meanings: an apparatus by which eggs are hatched artificially, an apparatus that is used to provide a controlled environmental conditions for the cultivation of organisms or the care and protection of sick or premature babies, and an organization that aids the development of new business ventures. It is in the spirit of these definitions that Mahidol University International College (MUIC) can also be called an incubator, that is, an institution that provides not only tertiary education but also a nurturing and caring environment so that its students may reach their full potential, be well-equipped to deal with the world outside and achieve success. This yearend edition highlights not only the achievements of MUIC students in 2022 but also the myriad activities where they gain maturity and grow in wisdom.
THE INCUBATOR
Dean’s Message
MUIC as Incubator for Students’ Success
In the post-pandemic world, VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) has become a common adjective. It describes the environment that surrounds a new generation of young people and serves to challenge us teachers to find increasingly better ways to deliver education. For our students, simply acquiring knowledge is no longer enough, and learning needs to be experienced.
As we emerge from this pandemic, MUIC seeks to deliver these experiences in ever more immersive ways. Students in practicum classes are given real-world problems to solve, service-learning courses are in touch with communities that are in need of practical solutions for their plight, and capstone projects allow students to work individually or as teams to bring valuable and innovative solutions to users. Other learning experiences outside of course work , such as business and innovation competitions, are also happening, demanding that students from diverse disciplines join hands and minds to form teams that create unique, novel solutions that are of value to the people and society and our environment.
These activities also require the involvement of outstanding individuals such as the faculty members featured in this issue of MUIC 360. Being equipped with the depth of knowledge on the subject, they are well trained in the skills of their discipline and out of the generosity of their heart and spirit they volunteer to act as facilitators, mentors and role models to our students. Also, in full support are staff members of MUIC who are always at hand to help deliver the physical experiences in and out of the classrooms, bringing to fruition meaningful student journeys through their tireless coordination efforts.
In doing so, MUIC is able to help transform the VUCA world that is volatile and bewildering to one, full of vision, understanding, clarity and adaptability for our students. Such an environment of care, stewardship and empowerment allows for resilience, growth and creativity. And, as far as I am concerned, that is the best description of an incubator.
TRIUMPH OF STUDENTS
IRGA Student’s Speech at UN General Assembly
A 3rd Year International Relations and Global Affairs (IRGA) student of Mahidol University International College (MUIC) was given the rare opportunity to represent Thailand at the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) on September 24 – October 13, 2022 in New York City, USA.
Ms. Pinda Viriyapongsri was selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be one of two Thai university students under its United Nations Youth Delegates of Thailand program to attend the 77th Session of the UNGA.
The highlight of her trip was her delivery of her speech at the UNGA’s Third Committee. Ms. Pinda said, “I delivered a speech to the Third Committee under the agenda item: Social Development. Essentially, I highlighted the importance of equitable access to education and the role of education in combating climate change.” The UN General Assembly’s Third Committee deals with human rights, humanitarian affairs and social matters.
Involvement with the UN is nothing new to Ms. Pinda. She has been through numerous Model United Nations (MUN) conferences and, in fact, is the current President of the MUIC MUN Club. She also volunteered to be a translator as part of the United Nations Volunteer Online Program. Aside from that, she has visited the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in Bangkok.
Media Comm Students Win Award in Thailand Film Fest
Mr. Napon Angsnaraks, the winning film’s director, scriptwriter and lead actor, and Mr. Wish Sutthatothon, its producer, both from Media and Communication Program, bagged the Best Thai Short Film Direction Award at the International Thai Film Festival (ITFF) 2022 for their film, “Strokes,” which was their senior thesis project.
Gold Prize for Food Science Student
Ms. Sopanant Datta, a senior Food Science and Technology student won the Gold Prize in the Young Rising Stars of Science Award 2022 for her undergraduate research project during the 48th International Congress on Science, Technology and Technology-based Innovation (STT48) held during November 29 – December 1, 2022 at the School of Science, Walailak University in Nakhon Sri Thammarat. It was organized by the Science Society of Thailand under the Patronage of His Majesty the King.
MUIC Team in APEC Food Contest’s Top 60
Ms. Panyawaree Saringkarnpoonperm, Ms. Kittiwadee Kittisuphat, Mr. Napasadol Tangsittichoke (all from Food Science and Technology Program) and Mr. Tanapat Wongcharoen (a chef from Tonklar Facai restaurant), reached the semi-final round in the “APEC 2022 Future Food for Sustainability: Plate to Planet” competition. Their team was among the 60 teams selected from 2,000+ teams that participated. Their faculty adviser was Ajarn Chutamas Jayuutdiskul.
IRGA Student in Doha Debates’ 2022 Ambassador Program
Ms. Pin-anong Weesapen (International Relations and Global Affairs Program) was accepted to the Doha Debates’ 2022 Ambassador Program, an exclusive and unique learning opportunity for 40 aspiring young leaders from all across the globe that will help them hone advanced intercultural discussion and negotiation skills. More than 300 young people worldwide applied in 2022.
MUIC Team Semi-finalist in Business Contest
A team (4 Forces Consulting) from Mahidol University International College (MUIC) made it to the semi-final round of the Thammasat Undergraduate Business Challenge (TUBC) on October 4-8, 2022. The team is composed of Ms. Kanya Sae-Liu (majoring in International Business), Ms. Krittaporn Sirichai (Economics), Mr. Sahil Nawalkha (Finance), and Mr. Songyot Sinthanaphontawan (Finance).
German Minor Students Receive Awards
Ms. Sathida Sethapram (Intercultural Studies and Languages Program) and Ms. Pinda Viriyapongsri (International Relations and Global Affairs Program) received awards for being “outstanding German language learners” during the TFG German event on September 23, 2022 at Goethe- Institut Bangkok. The event was organized by Thai Deutsche Gesellschaft TDG, with Dr. Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Thailand, handing out the awards to the students.
1st Runner-up in HSBC Business Case Competition
A team (4 Forces Consulting) from Mahidol University International College (MUIC) made it to the semi-final round of the Thammasat Undergraduate Business Challenge (TUBC) on October 4-8, 2022. The team is composed of Ms. Kanya Sae-Liu (majoring in International Business), Ms. Krittaporn Sirichai (Economics), Mr. Sahil Nawalkha (Finance), and Mr. Songyot Sinthanaphontawan (Finance).
CDP Students’ Artwork in Virtual Art Exhibition
The artworks of Ms. Bunrada Rungphanichkul and Ms. Sarisa Soonfueng, both Communication Design students, were included in GARIS Drawing Exhibition where exhibits are displayed online and can be viewed using Spatial online app.
MUIC Represented in “From Gen Z to be CEO”
A team (4 Forces Consulting) from Mahidol University International College (MUIC) made it to the semi-final round of the Thammasat Undergraduate Business Challenge (TUBC) on October 4-8, 2022. The team is composed of Ms. Kanya Sae-Liu (majoring in International Business), Ms. Krittaporn Sirichai (Economics), Mr. Sahil Nawalkha (Finance), and Mr. Songyot Sinthanaphontawan (Finance).
MUN Club President’s Speech in UN Event
Mr. Benjamin Wangcharoenwong, a Finance student and former president of MUN Club gave a speech on the topic of “We Will Fix Climate Change” during the event entitled “Thailand Youth Representatives Meet UN General Assembly President” on May 22, 2022 hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with H.E. Abdulla Shahid, President of the UN General Assembly, in the audience.
Honorable Mention in Essay Contest
Mr. Natthawat Sakthawisakul (International Relations and Global Affairs Program) receives honorable mention in Thailand’s House of Representatives’ essay contest on the topic of Covid-19 and democracy.
Invent for the Planet 2022 Finalist
Mr. Theeraphat Lohasongsang (Marketing Program) is a member of a team from Mahidol University that was selected as one of the seven finalist teams in the “Invent for The Planet 2022” competition hosted by Texas A&M University in the United States on April 5-7, 2022.
Bio Science Student Bags 1st Prize for Research Work
Ms. Jetiya Kongamornpinyo, a Biological Sciences senior student, wins 1st Prize for her research work during the Mahidol Dental Research Day 2022 academic conference.
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
Workshop on Social Venture
A social venture, also known as a social enterprise, is an undertaking to solve social or societal problems. Indeed there is a multitude of problems affecting our society today demanding solutions in a sustainable manner.
It is towards this goal that the MUIC Case Club hosted a “Designing Your Social Venture” hybrid workshop on October 1, 2022 at Charinyarasami Hall, Adityathorn Building. It was meant to help the participants in planning an impactful and feasible design for their planned social venture and build strong foundations on how to successfully launch their businesses.
Social venture experts taught participants the fundamentals and also encouraged them to systematically work through their problems along with receiving feedback on their social venture business canvas that will help them refine their ideas further in the future.
The guest speakers and resource persons were very impressed by the performance of the participants. One of the speakers, Ms. Jirasuta Boonjue, Co-founder of Learn Lab, commented, “Having run many workshops on this subject, domestically and internationally, I was very impressed by how creative, confident, and dedicated the Mahidol students were. It’s challenging to come up with a social venture idea and design its structure within a few hours, yet the students did it professionally. With continued support, I am confident that we can expect something great from them in the future, and hopefully on the global stage as well.”
Students Pitch Environmental Solutions
The Rakkaew Club organized a contest entitled “Find & Fix” on May 18-31, 2022 that was aimed at sustainably conserving the environment in Mahidol University’s Salaya campus. The contestants were required to look around the campus, identify an environmental problem and post on Instagram their proposed sustainable solutions.
Training for New Student Leaders
The Student Affairs Office conducted “MUICSA Training and Evaluation Camp 2022” on September 2-4, 2022 in Cha-am District, Phetchaburi province. The activities during the two-day event focused on team-building exercises to ensure that the new set of officers will perform well.
Seminar-Exhibition to Counter Bullying
The Rakkaew Club organized a contest entitled “Find & Fix” on May 18-31, 2022 that was aimed at sustainably conserving the environment in Mahidol University’s Salaya campus. The contestants were required to look around the campus, identify an environmental problem and post on Instagram their proposed sustainable solutions.
Volunteers Join “Chill-day Children”
The Student Affairs Office conducted “MUICSA Training and Evaluation Camp 2022” on September 2-4, 2022 in Cha-am District, Phetchaburi province. The activities during the two-day event focused on team-building exercises to ensure that the new set of officers will perform well.
Students Visit Rescued Dogs Sanctuary
Twenty-four students from the Animal Lovers Club visited “The Man that Rescues Dog” sanctuary on June 19, 2022 in Sri Racha, Chonburi province. Participants toured the sanctuary, cleaned up the shelter, and played with the dogs. They also visited the sanctuary’s clinic.
Blockchain Club’s Bitcoin Seminar
The Blockchain Club held an online seminar on the topic “What is Money & Why Bitcoin” on July 1, 2022 featuring Ajarn Piriya Sambandaraksa, Managing Director of CDC ChalokeDotCom and the translator of the bestselling book, “The Bitcoin Standard.” Around 200 participants logged in on both Zoom and Facebook Live to watch the seminar.
Student Association Organizes “IC Pride Month”
The Student Association organized “IC Pride Month” from June 10 to June 14 to give recognition to the LGBT+ community. There were 104 participants who attended the event, which also included a talk session entitled “Break Gender Wall.”
Science Society Club Launches Podcasts
The Science Society Club launched a series of podcasts that were aired biweekly during Term 2. The project was met with much enthusiasm with topics ranging from the multiverse, zombie apocalypse, the story behind Atlantis, to dealing with stress, among others.
Supporting School for the Deaf
The Sign Language Club raised a total of 5,000 Baht from a fundraising activity called “Happy Painting, Happy Hearing” held on May 9-12, 2002 at Aditayathorn Building. Fifty students participated in this activity by buying a set of craft materials for 129 Baht with the proceeds going to a school for the deaf in Nakhon Pathom province.
Siriraj Medical Museum Tour
A total of 20 students joined the Science Society Club’s tour of the Siriraj Medical Museum on May 6, 2022. A total of five museums were in the itinerary, giving the students an opportunity to learn much about science.
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS
Computer Science Alumnus is MEiD Hackathon Champion
It’s another feather in the cap of Mr. Phuwarat Norchoovech (Computer Science, Class of 2008) as he and his team UpPass won the 1st Place in MEiD Hackathon: Digital ID Solution for All in their innovative entry called “No-Code Verification Onboarding Platform” at the Auditorium, Knowledge Exchange for Innovation KX, Bangkok, on February 7, 2022.
Mr. Phuwarat and his team received a cash prize of 250,000 Baht with a plaque and a certificate. His team’s entry and platform will be built on Digital Service Sandbox by Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA).
Mr. Phuwarat is a Co-founder and Chief Product and Data Officer of Credit OK, a fintech startup that extends capital to micro-entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia. “We want to help small businesses who are the drivers of the Thai economy to be able to grow,” he said. “Credit OK wants to be one of the options that will help these businesses to grow through financial inclusion and technology.”
Chemistry Alumna Attends Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Chemistry alumna Ms. Wanutcha Lorpaiboon (Class of 2020) attended the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings (Chemistry) on June 26 to July 1, 2022 in Lindau, Germany. With several Nobel Prize Laureates gracing the occasion and engaging in talks with the participants, there were also lectures, roundtable discussions, master classes, and a tour of Baden-Wurttemberg state to survey graduate and post-graduate opportunities there.
THM Alumnus Receives Ministry of Education Award
Mr. Duke Intraprasert, a THM alumnus (Class of 2004), and Managing Director of Duke & Royce Co. Ltd., received the Best School Executive Award 2022 on February 13, 2022 from the Office of the Private Education Commission of Thailand and Non-Formal Private Education Association of Thailand.
Award from Federation of Accounting Professions
Mr. Kridsada Chutinaton (Computer Science, Class of 2006), Co-founder of FlowAccount Co., Ltd., received an honorable award from the Federation of Accounting Professions (FAC) on August 29, 2022 for its successful collaboration with seven other software providers in the “Cloud Accounting Software SMEs 2gether” training organized by FAC.
MUIC INITIATIVES
MUIC Partners with Healthy Food Restaurant
Tonklar Facai Restaurant, which offers vegetarian and nutritious food in its menu, opened a branch on campus in August 2022 as part of Mahidol University International College’s (MUIC) Food Innovation Center project.
Under this initiative, the restaurant and MUIC’s Office of Strategic Planning along with interested academic divisions, will collaborate in the areas of student training, food innovation, food production and food business.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanida Hansawasdi, Associate Dean for Research and Academic Services, said that under this collaboration, innovative food ingredients developed by students and faculty members of the Food Science and Technology program will be used by Tonklar Facai in coming up with new food entrees in their menu, taking care of mass production and marketing functions.
On the other hand, Asst. Prof. Dr. Patsarin Wongkamhang, Associate Dean for Strategic Planning and Quality Development, who heads MUIC’s Office of Strategic Planning, said other academic divisions can also participate in this initiative. She gave as examples the Business Administration’s faculty members and students taking charge of the business plan. Tourism and Hospitality Management Division’s students and their professors take care of food presentation, while Fine and Applied Arts Division’s contribution would be the project’s brand design.
Already this partnership has borne fruit when a team of three Food Science and Technology students, a chef from Tonklar Facai and their faculty adviser was among the Top 60 teams (from among 2000+ teams that participated) in the “APEC 2022 Future Food for Sustainability: Plate to Planet” competition in October 2022 (see related story).
As this project slowly takes form, it demonstrates the potential of the synergy between the academe and the business sector.
Accreditation of Computer Science, Communication Design and Chemistry Programs
In March 2022, the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) officially accredited two more academic programs of Mahidol University International College (MUIC), namely, Computer Science and Communication Design programs. Two months earlier, MUIC’s Chemistry Program achieved recognition from the American Chemical Society (ACS).
Renewal of THM’s UNWTO.TedQual Certification
Renewal of THM’s UNWTO.TedQual Certification
The Tourism and Hospitality Management (THM) Division’s Bachelor of Management in Travel and Service Business Entrepreneurship program has successfully obtained a renewal of its UNWTO.TedQual Certification recently. The program is the first and the only undergraduate program in Thailand that has been certified by UNWTO.TedQual, considered as an important certification for programs in tourism and related fields.
HLD Partners with University of London
The Humanities and Language Division (HLD) partnered in January 2022 with the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies’ The Global Council for Anthropological Linguistics (SOAS GLOCAL) in the area of linguistic and cultural anthropology. SOAS GLOCAL works with institutions globally on linguistic cultural anthropology, sociolinguistics, and language and society.
Dual Degree Program with HK Polytechnic University
Mahidol University International College’s (MUIC) Tourism and Hospitality Management Division (THM) signed a dual degree (2+2) agreement with the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of Hong Kong Polytechnic University on March 9, 2022, enabling MUIC-THM students to spend the last two years of their university studies at SHTM, including internship at Hotel ICON, SHTM’s teaching and research hotel. Upon completion of their academic requirements, students will be awarded undergraduate degrees from the two leading universities of Thailand and Hong Kong.
MUIC 2nd Runner-up in MU Green Ranking 2021
Mr. Duke Intraprasert, a THM alumnus (Class of 2004), and Managing Director of Duke & Royce Co. Ltd., received the Best School Executive Award 2022 on February 13, 2022 from the Office of the Private Education Commission of Thailand and Non-Formal Private Education Association of Thailand.
180 Exchange and Visiting Students in Term 1
Mahidol University International College (MUIC) welcomed 180 inbound exchange and visiting students who enrolled in Term 1, AY 2022-2023 in an orientation held on September 7-8, 2022, at the Auditorium, signaling the full reopening of the campus to inbound students after a long lockdown period caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
MUIC-St. George University’s Medical Pathway Program
Ties between Mahidol University International College (MUIC) and St. George University (SGU) remain strong—with representatives from SGU visiting MUIC on June 10, 2022 to meet with executives and faculty members of the Biological Sciences Program at Aditayathorn Building to promote anew the partner institution’s MUIC-SGU Medical Pathway program.
Dual Degree Program with HK Polytechnic University
Ties between Mahidol University International College (MUIC) and St. George University (SGU) remain strong—with representatives from SGU visiting MUIC on June 10, 2022 to meet with executives and faculty members of the Biological Sciences Program at Aditayathorn Building to promote anew the partner institution’s MUIC-SGU Medical Pathway program.
