KKU, the institute for learning, gives a warm welcome to freshmen, educates them, and fosters their morality as well as intelligence with Education Transformation based on KKU Transformation
On Thursday 18 July 2019, it was an honored to have KKU Council Members, KKU Promotion Affairs Committee Members, Vice Presidents, Deans, Associate Deans, Assistants to the President, Directors of different offices: centers, institutes, and bureaus, and Chairman and Administrative Members of KKU Alumni Association. On this occasion, over 7,800 students attended the welcoming ceremony at Golden Jubilee Hall, Khon Kaen University.
It was also an honored to have Mom Rajawong Pridiyathorn Devakula, an Honorary Member and representative of Chairman of the University Council, lighting candles to pay homage to the Triple Gems. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul (MD), President of Khon Kaen University said congratulations and welcome all freshmen. Then M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula gave orientation address and a special talk on the topic of “Thai Students in the age of Smart Student.” After that freshmen were grated the 56th Kalapruek medal as a souvenir, and they made a vow to be KKU students. Then there were activities for developing a sense of pride and close relationship.
After welcoming ceremony, there was a special talk on “Creating Future Together at KKU with Digital Technology Transformation” by Dr. Thanachart Numnonda, an Honorary Member of KKU. The talk was followed by “Living a Digital Life in KKU” session by Digital University Development, “Preparing KKU Freshmen to Be Ready for Education” session hosted by Vice President for Education and co-hosted by Director of General Education Teaching Institute, Director of KKU Language Institute, and Director of Bureau of Academic Administration and Development.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul said, “On behalf Khon Kaen University, I would like to congratulate everyone on the first step of success and welcome you to KKU, a prestigious university which is the first university in the northeastern region. The orientation and Baisri Sukuan Ceremony for the 56th group of freshmen in academic year 2019 is considered as creative activities full of KKU pride and can develop close relationship to the university. Baisri Sukuan is the northeastern traditional ceremony held for good luck and to show the beauty of this tradition to students. It is a way that lecturers, alumni, and older students express love and kindness to freshmen. Therefore, if you received opportunity to study here, please be proud because you have great ability that brought you into this well-recognized university. After your student life has begun, please try your best.”
“You need to learn to adapt yourself to environment and the world that keep changing all the time. Studying at the university will be totally different. University students seem to have freedom with no rules restricted. Actually, what comes with freedom is discipline that all students must have and use to manage your life to achieve your ultimate goals based on your academic scope and within the specific period of time. You also need to apply knowledge you have acquired from the university for the best benefits of yours and society. Please spend time at the university efficiently on improving all of your potential including raising awareness of environment, moral, and ethic for becoming qualified and desirable graduates who are ready for work. You need to be prepared for the age of complete Education Transformation. Lastly, I wish everyone happiness, health, and knowledge, and success as you have expected,” Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul said at the end.
M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula remarked a preaching speech to all the 56th Kalapruek freshmen, “Today you have come to the new place, met new friends and lecturers, and seen different environment and educational system, so you need to adapt yourself. The duties of Khon Kaen University are to educate students, produce qualified graduates, develop body of knowledge, and utilize our expertise for the benefits of society. Therefore, our policies are student-oriented. That means they need to be provided basic knowledge, and their learning ability need to be developed so that they can develop what they have learned further to earn a living and have a good life. After graduating from Khon Kaen University, you have to be complete with academic knowledge, professional knowledge, and life knowledge. Student these days are in the age called Digital Age. The university’s policies aim to produce smart students who are ready for any challenges in the age of Disruptive Technology. Consequently, the university has prepared ecological environment with modern equipment, fostered sense of spiritual mindset like moral, ethic, and public consciousness, and trained people to apply more technology to education which will enable students to develop knowledge further positively. From these reasons, all freshmen need to be prepared for any changes, and be proud to move forward as a part of Khon Kaen University. I wish everyone enjoy university life, be healthy with strong mind and become the powerful force moving the country forward in the future.”
In the afternoon, Baisri Sukuan Ceremony of the academic year 2019 began. Khon Kaen Governor said congratulations and welcome all freshmen. Chairman of Alumni Association, Chairman of Student Union, and President of Student delivered welcoming speech to the new freshmen. Then freshmen were officially welcomed when KKU administrators and distinguished guests tied traditional cotton thread on one wrist of each freshman. That was heart-warming ceremony for freshmen stepping into KKU or Mor Din Dang.
Dr. Somsak Jangtrakul stated, “Welcome all freshmen who became Khon Kean citizen. Khon Kaen is one of major cities and have potential growth resulted from land as well as air transportation development such as Khon Kaen city bus, dual track railway, and light rail transit which will be the first light rail tram in Thailand. Meanwhile, Khon Kaen Airport is being expanded to upgrade as an international airport which will be ready for educational development and medical hub. Moreover, Khon Kaen has diversity of attractions – natura and historical sites showing tradition, culture, and way of life. There are also hotels, huge convention halls, restaurants, and shopping center. All of these can transform Khon Kaen into Smart City in the future.”
“As Khon Kaen Governor, I would like to welcome the 56th group of freshmen of academic year 2019 to Khon Kaen, the province that we are proud of. Throughout student life at KKU, please be diligent and obey regulations of university and the law. You will be the important force propelling our nation in the future. Now I wish everyone health, prosperity, and success in education.”
Mr. Somsak Taejaroenwiriyakul, Chairman of KKU Alumni Association, said “On behalf of KKU Alumni Association, I would like to say congratulations and welcome the 56th Kalapruek freshmen who come to study here. As Chairman of KKU Alumni Association and the 12th Kalapruek, I would like to support you to be qualified and desirable graduates being happy with good heart. The university has produced well-educated graduates having moral and ethic for all the time. Many alumni also achieved fame for the university. I hope everyone, the 56th Kalapruek, will see them as a role model and achieve fame for yourself and university in the future. For your prosperity, Baisri Sukuan Ceremony that shows the beauty of the northeastern tradition is held to warmly welcome and congratulate to all freshmen who are all united and gracefully became KKU students.
News: Wadchara Noichompoo
Photos: Attapol Hampong / Boripat Tasee
[ Thai ]
