|
KKU Steps into its 47th Year as one of the World's Leading Universities(kku news 188) |
|
|
|
|
Written by phitsanu
|
Khon Kaen University Steps into its 47th Year as one of the World’s Leading Universities
His Majesty the King Bhumibol and Her Majesty the Queen Sirikit graciously opened Khon Kaen University on 20 December 1967. The King gave an auspicious speech to the audience: “To establish Khon Kaen University as another higher education institute in this region will greatly benefit the people of the Northeast, one of the most significant regions of the nation. The university will help in the development of the standard of living for people in the Northeast. The establishment of Khon Kaen University is a success which all people shall admire.”
The project of establishing Khon Kaen University was initiated in 1941, during the reign of King Rama VIII Ananda Mahidol. During the reign of King Rama IX Bhumibol, under the administration of Prime Minister Sarit Thanarat, the establishment of higher education in engineering and agriculture was approved to be located in the province of Khon Kaen. The university admitted its first group of students in the academic year of 1964. His Majesty the King approved the drafting of the KKU act, and announced this in the government’s gazette on 25 January 1966. The date is regarded to be the ‘birthday’ of the university, with 1964 deemed the founding year. Today KKU has 22 faculties that can be categorized into three main groups: science and technology, science and health, and humanities.
KKU President Honorable Professor Sumon Sakolchai, has said that KKU has implemented its development vision as one of ASEAN’s leading universities to become an institute of knowledge, research quality, national and community development, and good management. The development vision has been reflected through our syllabuses, research, academic services, cultural and art promotion and other KKU activities from the past to the present. All these efforts have allowed KKU to be proud of its varied successes, such as strength in research and research funding, 25 specific projects that cover a wide range of disciplines, research publications that are disseminated at international level, and strength in academic services for students and visiting scholars alike. KKU not only hosts international seminars, but also provides treatment to Thai citizens at Srinakarin Hospital. You will find top quality service at the dental centre, the animal hospital and several community pharmacies too. “Our academic strength is proven by around 90,000 graduates who have worked to serve communities around the country and who have contributed valuable work to Thailand as a whole.”
University evaluation and ranking by domestic and overseas institutes also give testimony to the university’s ambitious claims. The Office of the Higher Education Commission certified KKU as an outstanding university for teaching and research in 2006. The Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC), meanwhile, ranked KKU as its first university in 2006 and 2007. The OPDC also evaluated KKU with a high score for its service and principles. Furthermore, the Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA) rewarded its training for achieving outstanding scores in 2007. KKU was ranked 528th in the world and 21st in South East Asia by Times Higher Education in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, though, our website was ranked 160th in world list of most visited university websites – 24th in Asia and 2nd in Thailand – by the body ‘4 International Colleges & Universities’ (4icu.org). The Office of Higher Education Commission ranked KKU among its top eight in Thailand, and the ONESQA has given the university a best practice award in graduate quality development.
KKU researchers and staff have earned significant certificates from domestic and international institutes in recent years. Professor Aran Pattanotai was awarded a ‘Best Scientist’ award by the Foundation for the Promotion of Sciences and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King. Professor Metha Wannaphat, meanwhile, was awarded ‘Best National Sciences and Technology Teacher’ for 2008 by the Thai Faculty Senate, and received his prestigious award from PM Abhisit Vejjajiva. Associate Professor Santi Mansiri was awarded the Third World Academy of Sciences Prize for Young Scientist in Thailand in the discipline of physics in 2009. Associate Professor Chanaiporn Darnwirutai earned a shield of honor for ‘Best Science Teacher for Higher Education’ from HRH Princess Sirindhorn at Science Week 2009. Associate Professor Amornrat Romphruek won the gold medal in biotechnology at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition in 2009 for her research titled ‘Innov Gel Test’. She picked up the award at the Malaysian Invention and Design Society ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. KKU was selected as one of nine 2010 national research universities, who have been chosen to develop and improve their capacity in academia and research to reach international standards.
KKU’s continual development effort throughout its 46-year history has brought about numerous benefits for the country and for Thai society. This success demonstrates KKU’s vision that it is “the center of society thinking and intelligence and the Northeast’s education center. The university will strive to maintain its excellence in academia, knowledge and technology, exchange with international institutes and in leading academic performance in all disciplines.” Our university is proud to work with development communities, the surrounding region and the rest of the country as one of the world’s leading educational institutes.
Caption
1. The KKU symbol
2. HM the King and Queen presided over the opening of KKU on 20 December 1967
3. Former PM Sarit Thanarat
4. KKU president Honorable Professor Sumon Sakolchai
5. Bird’s eye view of KKU campus
6. University researchers
7. University students
8. Kallapapruek flower, the symbol of KKU
|
Search 