Her Royal Highness Princess’ missions at KKU: the grand opening of Vidyavibhasa Building and Medical Excellent Center

On December 4, 2019, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn kindly chaired the grand opening of a new KKU science building called, “Vidyavibhasa”. Upon her arrival at the site, The Princess was welcomed by a group of distinguished hosts including; Dr. Somsak Jungtrakul, a governor of Khon Kaen, Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul (MD), an acting president of KKU, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Somkiart Srijaranai, a science dean. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was presented with flower garland, souvenirs and money, the latter would be deployed in accordance with Her Royal Highness Princess’ desire.  The Acting President of Khon Kaen University reported to the Princess about the construction. Then Her Royal Highness pressed an electronic button to uncover the building name prior to her visit to the exhibition presented at the site.  

Vidyavibhasais a five-story building with the usage area of 24,563 square meters. The building was built in place of the old and ruined building. The construction began in 2016 with a total budget of 495,661,000 Baht. The building was designed to poster good learning environment whose designed was based on the implication of science and technological knowledge. The building run mostly by natural power is exploited for science and technology instruction, research lab, and it is home for three major departments; Department of Physics, Department of Nano-Technology, and Department of Computer Sciences. The construction of Vidyavibhasa  Building began in December 14, 2015 following the installment of foundation stone which was kindly performed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.  The Princess named this building, “Vidyavibhasa”, meaning a building that is a hub of knowledge and civilization. On November 15, 2018, The Princess allowed her abbreviated designation, “So. To.” to be inscribed above the building’s name.

At 4 p.m., Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn processed to a ceremonial ground at Srinagarind Hospital to officially open the Medical Excellent Center.   She was greeted by KKU’s acting president, Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul (MD) who also provided the background information of the center and its construction to the Princess. Then Assoc. Prof. Songsak Kiatchoosakul (MD), an acting dean of medicine, presented the ceremonial line-ups. Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong (MD), a director of Srinagarind Hospital, presented local silk products from Chonabot District, and Asst. Prof. Dhanes Rangsrikajee (MD), an acting assistant dean for Finance, Materials and Procurement presented to the princess some money which would be exercised in accordance with Her Highness Princess’ preference.      

Srinagarind Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, has been a medical center for patients from around the northeastern region and the lower northern provinces of Thailand. Accordingly, there are a great number of patients to attain health and medical service from the hospital. It was estimated that, each year, Srinagarind Hospital has to care for over 1 million out-patients and fifty-two thousand of the admitted patients. With its attempt to cater for the increasing number of patients, the hospital expanded its capacity of up to 1400 bed.  The added beds had yet to satisfy the proliferating number of patients. To resolve this matter, the university council agreed on April 2, 2008, to let Faculty of Medicine to initiate a medical hub to foster sufficient and high standard health service in the Mekong Sub-region. The Medical Excellent Center is also a learning hub for medical and health related major students. It serves also as a center that promotes international medical research collaboration. 

The Medical Excellent Center and its compound buildings such as parking building and the house for the patients’ relatives has a total usage area of 197,424 square meters. The building was completed with the construction cost of 4,346,357,200 Baht. It is confident that the building will help raise medical practices in Thailand to international standard while gracefully reducing the hospital problem on limited patient holding capacity. The Medical Excellent Center is going to be a home for the production of medical and health care expert to serve the ever-increasing health demand of the country. The center should help gather more patient related data which is beneficial for the medical research advancement.  

News: Udomchai Supanawong (Thanks for information from: Communication Units of Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Sciences and Technology)  

[ Thai ]

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn kindly chaired the grand opening of a new KKU science building called, “Vidyavibhasa”.
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Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn processed to a ceremonial ground at Srinagarind Hospital to officially open the Medical Excellent Center.
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