The Gazette of Chulalongkorn University # Vol.5 Issue1

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Vol. 5 Issue 1 January - March 2014

THE GAZETTE OF CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY

P. 3// CU Student Athletes’ Achievements in 27th SEA Games

P. 4-7// 56 GOLDS CU Student Athlete Team Wins the 41st Thailand National University Games Championship

P. 12// A Chat with Marc Dimitrov: ‘Rugby is One, but Not the Only Part of Life’

THE GAZETTE OF CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 JANUARY - MARCH 2014

Vol. 5 Issue 1 January - March 2014

News Update

//ADVISORY BOARD// PRESIDENT Prof. Pirom Kamolratanakul, M.D.

VICE PRESIDENT Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sittichai Tudsri, D.D.S., M.D. Assist. Prof. Dr. M.R. Kalaya Tingsabadh

th

The 97 Anniversary

of the Establishment of Chulalongkorn University

ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anongnat Thakoengwit Assist. Prof. Kriengkrai Boonlert-U-Thai, Ph.D.

//EDITORIAL BOARD// EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Assoc. Prof. Dr. Worawan Ongkrutraksa News Editors Jutapan Siripan Robert Bruce Halliday Editorial Coordinator Cattleya Tanthmanatham News Writers Pimchanok Sirichatchaikul Supachai Thonghong Watanya Somphongs Graphic Designer Anakkhawee Srisombutphaibun The Gazette of Chulalongkorn University is produced by Chula International Communication Center (CICC). Please send comments and ideas to improve the publication to: Chula International Communication Center (CICC), Chulalongkorn University 254 Phayathai Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand 10330 Tel : +66 2218 3280 Fax : +66 2218 3281 E-mail : cicc@chula.ac.th Website : www.chula.ac.th www.cicc.chula.ac.th Facebook : www.facebook.com/ ChulalongkornUniversity For international relations enquiries, please contact: ĶōğźŊŌźŖōźİŕśŌřŕňśŐŖŕňœźĨōōňŐřŚ Tel : +66 2218 3331-5 Fax : +66 2216 1299 E-mail : int.off@chula.ac.th Website : www.inter.chula.ac.th The Gazette of Chulalongkorn University can be read online at http://www.chula.ac.th/blog/cover/ periodicals/cugazette/ COPYRIGHT 2014 CHULA INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION CENTER (CICC) ĨźŔňŎŕŐğźŊŌŕśźŚŏŖśźōřŖŔźňźřŜŎʼnŠźŔňśŊŏźŐŕźź the 41st Thailand University Games. Photo Credit: Wiwat Somsawat

CU Auditorium

March 26, 2014 marked the 97th anniversary of the establishment of Chulalongkorn University. As śŏŌźğźřŚśźŐশնŜśŐŖŕźŖōźŏŐŎŏŌřźŌŋŜŊňśŐŖŕźŐŕźĻŏňŐœňŕŋűźśŏŌź university has continually produced graduates with the highest quality. These graduated possess knowledge and skills in the arts and sciences along with the ethical awareness that ensures the integrity of an individual in society. In addition, the university stands ňŚźňźŗŐœœňřźŋŜřŐŕŎźŕňśŐŖŕňœźŋŐōğźŊŜœśŐŌŚźʼnŠźŖōōŌřŐŕŎźŎŜŐŋňŕŊŌź and supports to resolve problematical situations.

ź ĨŚź śŏŌź ğźřŚśź ŊŌŕśŜřŠź ŚŐŕŊŌź ŐśŚź ŌŚśňʼnœŐŚŏŔŌŕś approaches completion, Chulalongkorn University ňŐŔŚźśŖźřŌňŊŏźňźœŌŝŌœźŖōźŌşŊŌœœŌŕŊŌźśŏňśźŘŜňœŐğźŌŚźŐś to rank among the world’s leading universities. The university now places emphasis on the development and improvement of academic and research standards to the highest international level of excellence, so that CU’s intellectual community can continue to serve Thai society as a Pillar of the Kingdom.

The Role of Chulalongkorn University in Solving the Nation’s Political Crisis

CU’s President (center) and lecturers at the press conference on “Chulalongkorn University Academics’ Proposal for the reform of Thailand”

On 25 February 2014, Chulalongkorn University held a press conference on “Chulalongkorn University Academics’ Proposal for the reform of Thailand”. The talk was led by Professor Pirom Kamolratanakul, M.D., CU’s President and other lecturers from various ğźŌœŋŚźŖōźŚśŜŋŠźřŌŗřŌŚŌŕśŌŋźňźŊŖŔʼnŐŕŌŋźŌōōŖřśźśŖźğźŕŋź possible solutions to the current political situation. Chulalongkorn University has formed an ad-hoc research committee consisting of lecturers, researchers,

alumni and specialists from faculties and institutes as well as CU related networks. Its major objective is to study and analyze urgent issues such as political corruption, the rice-pledging scheme, energy reform, political violence and hate speech. In addition, Chulalongkorn University has set up a coalition center called “Thai Violence Watch” in order to keep track of information about the ways in which communication can lead to the violence and raise awareness of this danger. The center makes this compiled information available and collaborates with those who are involved in the conflict as a measure to reduce violence. Chulalongkorn University’s purpose in these ňŊśŐŝŐśŐŌŚźŐŚźśŖźřŌğźŕŌźŒŕŖŞœŌŋŎŌźŖōźřŌōŖřŔźŐŚŚŜŌŚźňŕŋź devise an alternative approach to the national reform through application of systematic academic knowledge and to ease the current national crisis. In the long term, the committee’s study will focus on corruption, economic disparity, social inequality, the election process, the relationship between politics and administration, decentralization, the role of the mass media, education and strength of public participation.

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CU Highlight

CU Student Athletes’ Achievements in th

27 SEA Games

With the outstanding achievements by Thai athletes at the 27th SEA Games, held in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw from 11 through 22 December 2013, Thailand came out on top with 107 gold, 94 silver and 81 bronze medals.

CU student athletes in the National Sports Development Project of Chulalongkorn University, who were selected to be Thailand’s sports delegation, played a major part in the nation’s resounding triumph, with 6 of the 24 CU student athletes participating in 10 sports events winning golds, 8 taking silvers and 13 awarded bronzes. The successful CU student athletes are: Radomyos Matjiur, a graduate student of the Faculty of Sports Science, won 1 gold medal in the men’s100m breaststroke event, 1 silver medal in the 200m breaststroke event and 1 bronze medal in the 4x100m medley relay event. Witchuda Pichitkanjanakul, from the Faculty of Sports Science, won 1 gold medal in śŏŌźŞŖŔŌŕÜŚźd_ŔźřŐĠŌźŗřŖŕŌźŌŝŌŕśų Jenjira Srisa-ard, from the Faculty of Communication Arts, won 1 gold medal in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay event and 1 bronze medal in the 50m freestyle event. Benjaporn Sriphanomthorn, from the Faculty of Economics, won 2 gold medals in the 400m freestyle event and 4x100m freestyle relay and 2 silver medals in the freestyle 800m and 4x100m medley relay. Warote Kananub, from the Faculty of

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Law, won 1 gold medal in chess games (5minute fast chess). Pitchapa Thanacharoenpat, from the Faculty of Law, won 1 silver medal in the women’s Taekwondo Poomsae team event. Satawat Chomchuen, from the Faculty of Sports Science, won 1 silver medal in the mixed Taekwondo Poomsae team event. Supsiree Taerattanachai, from the Faculty of Communication Arts, won 1 silver medal in the mixed badminton team event and 1 bronze in the women’s badminton double. Pawinee Pojjanasenee, from the Faculty of Education, won 1 silver medal in the petong women’s shooting event. Kanokpan Suansan, from the Faculty of Political Science, won 1 silver medal in the rowing event (single 200m kayak) and 2 bronze medals

Pitchapa Thanacharoenpat (left) and Satawat Chomchuen (right) win silver medals in the mixed Taekwondo Poomsae team event. (Photo Credit: CU Athletes Fanpage)

in the women’s K-4 500m (kayak four) event. Supanut Wannakool, from the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, won 1 bronze medal in the jumping show of the horse riding event. Sorntham Wongpairoj, from the Faculty of Sports Science, won 1 bronze medal in the men’s water polo team event. Chonlawat Phoduang, a graduate student from the Faculty of Sports Science, won 2 bronze medals in the 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x100m medley relay event. Papungkorn Ingkanon, from the Faculty of Communication Arts, won 1 bronze medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay event. Kasipat Chokratin, from the Faculty of Economics, won 1 bronze medal in the 4x100m medley relay event. Sachitaporn Pratuengsukpong, from the Faculty of Economics, won 1 bronze medal in the women’s chess games. Ruja Pitchayarom, from the faculty of Communication Arts, won 1 bronze medal in the women’s chess games (25-minute fast game.) Moreover, 2 student athletes who have been accepted into the university in the academic year 2014 also received awards at the ceremony, as follows: Busanan Ongbumrungpan won 1 silver medal in the women’s single badminton and Siengsaw Lertratanachai won 1 bronze medal in the jumping show of team horse riding event. Chulalongkorn University is enormously proud of having contributed to Thailand’s victory at the 27th SEA Games.

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Cover Story

56 GOLDS

tears, blood, and sweat and restoring the university śŖźğźřŚśźŗœňŊŌųź Previous accomplishments by Chula athletes that received international recognition include Chanatip Sonkham taking the world championship at the 2013 World Taekwondo Championship for the women in the 49-kg division, held at Mexico. Another of our seniors, Sapsiree Taerattanachai, won a championship for her expertise at the Singles Badminton match at the 2013 Yonex/OCBC US Open Championship in the USA.

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“Pee Mor Din Daeng – Nong Kanlaprapruek”, the mascot of the 41st Thailand University Games.

ź Ĩŕŋź Őśź ŞňŚź ňź ʼnŌňŜśŐōŜœź ğźŕŐŚŏź śŖź śŏŌź c`st annual Thailand University Games, which recently took place during January 14-22, 2014. With the theme, “Mor Din Daeng, More Than Games”, the competition took place in the northeastern part of Thailand at Khon Kaen University. The underlying idea of the event is just as its theme stated: in addition to the goal of winning a title for their university, the athletes that the competition brought together were there to practice good sportsmanship and to build closer ties between themselves and their universities. Over the past two years, Chulalongkorn University lost the championship to the Institute of Physical Education, but this year the continuous hard work of our athletes has paid off and Chulalongkorn University was able to regain the title. Over the years, Chula has achieved a total of 11 ğźřŚśźŗœňŊŌźŞŐŕŚűźōŖŜřźŖōźśŏŌŔźŜŕŋŌřźśŏŌźňŋŔŐŕŐŚśřňŲ tion of Chulalongkorn University President, Prof. Pirom Kamolratanakul, M.D. Chulalongkorn University was undefeated for three consecutive years before placing second in both 2012 and 2013. Now, Chula’s athletes have successfully dedicated their time,

Sapsiree Taerattanachai

<< Chanatip Sonkham

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This seems to be a good year for our sport teams and athletes, as Chulalongkorn University has rounded up a total of 56 gold medals, 44 silver medals, and 53 bronze medals, totaling 153 medals - quite a big leap from the runner up university that came second with 132 total medals last year. The impressive 56 gold medals set a record for the university. The school also beat its previous championship record of 51 gold medals won at the 38th Thailand University Games, the “Chamchuri Games� which Chulalongkorn University hosted. The Institution of Physical Education raised the bar at the 40th Thailand University Games, dubbed the “Palabodee Games�, annihilating the competition by earning a record 52 gold medals.

Benjaporn Sriphanomthorn, newest member of the swim team, [HRLZ OVTL medals.

CU girls’ softball team (Photo Credit : Office of Student Affairs, Chulalongkorn University)

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This year, Chula athletes achieved special recognition in the categories where they excelled. Eight exceptional players were cited as Best Athletes and for Outstanding Athlete and Performance. All came from different faculties and backgrounds, which proves that anyone can be successful if they put their heart and mind into it!

Ĺş ÄžĹŒĹşĹ‹ĹŒÄ&#x;źŕĹ?Ĺ›ĹŒĹ“Ĺ ĹşĹŠĹˆĹ•Ĺ•Ĺ–Ĺ›ĹşĹ?Ĺ–Ĺ™ĹŽĹŒĹ›ĹşĹ›Ĺ–ĹşĹ—Ĺ™ĹˆĹ?ĹšĹŒĹşĹ–ĹœĹ™ĹşĹšĹžĹ?Ĺ”ĹşĹ›ĹŒĹˆĹ”ĹşĹžĹ?Ĺ›Ĺ?źśĹ?ĹŒĹ?řźŊŖŕŚĹ?ĹšĹ›ĹŒĹ•Ĺ›ĹşĹˆĹŠĹ?Ĺ?ĹŒĹ?ĹŒĹ”ĹŒĹ•Ĺ›ĹšĹşĹ?ŕźśĹ?Ĺ?ĹšĹşĹŠĹ–Ĺ”Ĺ—ĹŒĹ›Ĺ?Ĺ›Ĺ?Ĺ–Ĺ•ųźĜĹœĹ™ĹşĹ”Ĺ?ĹŽĹ?śŠźŚĹ?ĹˆĹ™Ĺ’ĹşĹ‰Ĺ–Ĺ ĹšĹşĹˆĹ•Ĺ‹ĹşĹ“Ĺ?Ĺ›Ĺ›Ĺ“ĹŒĹşĹ”ĹŒĹ™Ĺ”ĹˆĹ?Ĺ‹ĹšĹşĹžĹŒĹ™ĹŒĹş able to earn 27 gold medals for the team, which makes up nearly half of the gold medals for Chulalongkorn University this year. Special applause goes to our newest member, Benjaporn Sriphanomthorn from the Faculty of Economics, who alone won 11 gold medals both in the individual division and for the team. As for a sport rarely played in Thailand, softball, CU’s team was able to come away with two gold medals by both the male and female athletes.

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Vol. 5 Issue 1 January - March 2014

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Cover Story

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Even sport teams that had never won any medals before, like the Thai Fencing Team, Ä&#x;Ĺ•Ĺ?ĹšĹ?ĹŒĹ‹Ĺş ĹžĹ?Ĺ›Ĺ?Ĺş śŞŖź ĹŽĹ–Ĺ“Ĺ‹Ĺş Ĺ”ĹŒĹ‹ĹˆĹ“ĹšŹź ĹˆĹ•Ĺ‹Ĺş Ĺ›Ĺ?ĹŒĹş ĚŖŞĹ?Ĺ•ĹŽĹş Team won two medals as well. The Petanque team came in with one gold medal. It is always a happy and gratifying experience for athletes to be a part of making school history. This year, even though the Boxing Team did not come home with a gold medal, they showed extraordinary progress during the competition and still came home with a silver and a bronze in the end. The Sepak Takraw Team also got one bronze medal each for the male and female teams, respectively. Although the Girls’ Basketball Team took home a bronze medal, they were only three points away from competing for the gold.

The success of the games this year would not have been possible if the teams who competed hadn’t received loving support from a wide range of fans, as well as close cooperation within the teams to create solid collaboration and an understanding by the coaches, advisors, staff, and university administration which support CU’s ĹˆĹ›Ĺ?Ĺ“ĹŒĹ›ĹŒĹšĹş śŖź Ĺ‹ĹŒĹ?ĹŒĹ“Ĺ–Ĺ—Ĺş ĹˆĹ•Ĺ‹Ĺş Ĺ™ĹŒÄ&#x;Ĺ•ĹŒĹş Ĺ›Ĺ?ĹŒĹ?řź ŚŒĹ?Ĺ“Ĺ“Ĺšųź ÄťĹ?ĹŒĹšĹŒĹş are the people who put in the extra hours to help shape the dreams of the school’s athletes and help them to become reality. Another important element in motivating the athletes to keep their heads up and fight for victory during crucial moments in the competition was CU’s President, Prof. Pirom Kamolratanakul, despite the work load that comes with being

Vice President for Student Affairs’s Response to the Success of CU Athletes In an interview, the Vice President for Student Affairs congratulated the athletes with a round of applause for the prestige they brought to the university. He said, “I would like to congratulate all the athletes who worked hard during practice and during the actual competition, leading to such a happy result in the end. Our teams never focused on being the champion with the most gold medals, but instead put the emphasis on cooperation and friendship during the games. But because the athletes worked so diligently towards their goal, the results were beyond expectations.

There were so many new faces on the teams, ĹˆĹ•Ĺ‹ĹşĹ›Ĺ?ĹŒĹ ĹşĹ‹ĹŒÄ&#x;Ĺ•Ĺ?Ĺ›ĹŒĹ“Ĺ ĹşĹžĹŒĹ™ĹŒĹşĹˆĹşĹ‰Ĺ?ĹŽĹşĹ—ĹˆĹ™Ĺ›ĹşĹ–Ĺ?źśĹ?Ĺ?ĹšźŠĹŒĹˆĹ™ĂœĹšĹş success. The energy and enthusiasm that all parties brought to the table were what made this year’s competition so thrilling. The close ties with the Institute of Physical Education, last year’s champions, motivated our athletes to work even harder.â€? On top of the excitement and pressures felt Ĺ–Ĺ•Ĺş Ĺ›Ĺ?ĹŒĹş Ä&#x;ĹŒĹ“Ĺ‹Ĺş ĹˆĹ•Ĺ‹Ĺş Ĺ–Ĺ•Ĺş Ĺ›Ĺ?ĹŒĹş ĹŠĹ–ĹœĹ™Ĺ›Źź ĹšĹœĹ—Ĺ—Ĺ–Ĺ™Ĺ›ĹŒĹ™ĹšĹş ĹžĹŒĹ™ĹŒĹş tense while waiting to see who would win the Championship title, since the race between the two universities was neck and neck. But in the

end, Chulalongkorn University came home with the honor this year. Even though some of our teams may not have brought back gold medals, every player contributes to making the Thailand University Games a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to excel, and an exciting high point in university life. The school is proud of each team’s hard work and appreciates the progress they have made in terms of skill and sportsmanship.

The Gazette of Chulalongkorn University

the university president, he made time to visit the athletes and staff who represented the university. He sees the importance of everyone’s role in the road to success and prefers to be there along the way. Prof. Pirom also appeared at the event and cheered for the Girls’ Table Tennis Team, which might have been the reason they won a gold medal. He was also asked to be the honorary guest to present the medals. Not only did he travel back and forth between the ongoing matches, but he also took time to visit the Rowing Team in Nong Kot lake, where the rowing match took place. Oh, and they also won a gold medal, creating a memorable record for the team.

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Kasertsart University will be the host of 42nd Thailand University Games – the“Nonsri Games�, which are scheduled to take place during January 15th – 24th, 2015.

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Assoc. Prof. Tanit Tongthong, Ph.D., Vice president for Student Affairs CU’s rugby team

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Research & Technology

South Pole Research Mission

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suchana Chavanich (left) and her dive buddy ^VYR PU [OL ÄLSK K\YPUN [OLPY (U[HYJ[PJH YLZLHYJO TPZZPVU Photo Credit : Faculty of Science

After departing Thailand on January 1st, 2014, two female researchers, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suchana Chavanich and Assist. Prof. Dr. Onruthai Pinyakong, from the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, arrived safely on January 7th, 2014 at the Antarctic Great Wall Station, a Chinese research station on King George Island off the northern part of Antarctic Peninsula. The goal of this thrilling voyage is to explore the impact that climate change has caused to marine creatures and to the diversity and activities of microorganisms at the South Pole. This current exploration of Antarctica by the Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) has been the 30th expedition so far. The participating personnel comprise a total 256 explorers, only two of whom are overseas (Thai) researchers. This latest expedition marks the third time that Thai scientists have participated in an Antarctic research trip, and were granted support by the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration (CAA), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Chulalongkorn University, the Red Bull Beverage Co., Ltd and L’Oreal (Thailand) Ltd. The expedition also marks the beginning of the “Geographical Pole Research Project under Royal Initiative of H.R.H. Princess

Maha Chakri Sirindhorn”, another significant academic and research collaboration between the People’s Republic of China and Thailand. The two researchers spent about a month exploring and collecting samples from the Great Wall Station and the surrounding area. Activities ňœŚŖź ŐŕŊœŜŋŌź ŚŊŜʼnňź ŋŐŝŐŕŎűź ŞŏŐŊŏź ŞŐœœź ʼnŌź śŏŌź ğřŚśź ŚŊŐŌŕśŐğŊźŋŐŝŐŕŎźňśźśŏŐŚźŚśňśŐŖŕźŌŝŌřųźīřųźĺŜŊŏňŕňź Chavanich from Department of Marine Science stated that despite her great anxiety due to the hazards of diving in the close-to-zero temperature, research diving at the South Pole still greatly interests her and other marine biologists. “There are many more forms of marine life waiting to be discovered under the ice sheet that

covers this ocean,” Dr. Suchana explained. “The purpose of diving is to survey and to collect marine life samples to study their behavior, especially feeding behavior. If the types of food or their proportions in the samples’ abdomens changes, or if an increase in the proportion of parasite types is observed in the stomachs of samples thus obtained, it may be concluded that the South Pole is getting warmer. This is due to the fact that parasite prevalence is lower at low temperatures.” At the same time, Dr. Onruthai Pinyakong from Department of Microbiology started collecting samples of soil from around the Great Wall Station and other coastal areas. The objective is to study the diversity of microorganisms and bacteria living

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in different areas as these life forms are very resistant to the extremely cold weather. The studies ŞŐœœźʼnŌźŌşŗœŖŐśŌŋźōŜřśŏŌřźōŖřźśŏŌźʼnŌŕŌğśźŖōźŚŜʼnŚŌŘŜŌŕśź research. ź īřųź ĺŜŊŏňŕňź ŐŚź śŏŌź ğřŚśź ōŌŔňœŌź řŌŚŌňřŊŏŌřź to scuba dive in the Antarctic at the Great Wall Station, and the second Thai after Assoc. Prof. Dr. Woranop Wiyakarn, also from Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, who participated in the scientific diving off the coast of Japan’s Syowa Station during December 2004 – January 2005.

The team perform research on life forms collected in different areas to understand the effect of climate change on the ecological system of the South Pole.

Alzheimer’s disease prevention through lifestyle in the new era of Information Technology

Speakers and team behind the success of the symposium on Alzheimer’s disease prevention.

On Wednesday 27th November 2013, the Academic Conference Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, organized the second symposium on “Alzheimer’s disease prevention through lifestyle in the new era of Information Technology” in celebration of the 100thAnniversary of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The event was held in the Chalerm Prommard conference room, Or Por Ror building, at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The objective of this symposium is to disseminate knowledge and to enhance clear understanding of Alzheimer’s as well as to provide advice on how to reduce the risk of the disease in everyday life. The speakers on this occasion were Dr. Solaphat Hemrungrojn and Dr. Chavit Tunvirachaisakul from the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University; Asst. Prof. Dr. Setha Pan-ngum from

the Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University; and Dr. Pasin Israsena from National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC). Atthe event, Dr. Solaphat Hemrungrojn explained that the mental problems associated with Alzeimer’s disease are not limited only to memory loss but also include brain disorders such as lack of ŊŖŕŊŌŕśřňśŐŖŕűźŊŖŕōŜŚŐŖŕźňʼnŖŜśźœŖŊňśŐŖŕűźňŕŋźŌŝŌŕźŐŕňʼnŐœŐśŠźśŖźŜŚŌźŖřźğŕŋź the right words and phrases when speaking. She also pointed out the difference between the Alzheimer’s disease and age-related memory loss by citing some signs suggesting that one could be suffering from Alzheimer’s, such as placing a key in refrigerator, putting plate under his/her bed, or even forgetting having had a meal. In addition to forgetfulness, changes in personality or behavior, for example, people with the disease will become more aggressive and easily agitated, although normally they are polite and calm. Alzheimer’s disease takes gŲ`_źŠŌňřŚźʼnŌōŖřŌźśŏŌźğŕňœźŚśňŎŌźŖōźŚŠŔŗśŖŔŚűźŞŏŐŊŏźŐŕŊœŜŋŌŚźŐŕňʼnŐœŐśŠź to recall the names of family members or caregivers, loss of muscle control or even loss of self-awareness. Factors that can prevent the disease from developing include treatment of circulatory and cardiovascular disorders like hypertension. At present, there’s a research on vaccination but the side effect involves encephalitis. Moreover, lifestyle choices to protect your brain include healthy diet, active social interaction, playing games, and especially going to park or relaxing. Additionally, Asst. Prof. Dr. Setha Pan-ngum stated that technology can help us exercise our brains and make our routine life easier. For example, nowadays advanced technology can act as reminders to perform such activities as taking pills, radio wave detector and human-detecting sensor. Computer-based games such as yoga games, body balance games or calculation games can also help protect against the disease.

Vol. 5 Issue 1 January - March 2014

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Award & Honor

Silk Sericin Scaffold from Chula Wins Grand Prize from Asia’s Largest Invention Fair

(ZZVJ 7YVM 7VU HUVUN (YHT^P[ 7O + smiles proudly. Hard work certainly pays off!

(ZZVJ 7YVM 7VU HUVUN JLU[LY OVSKZ [OL .YHUK 7YPaL JLY[PĂ„JH[L HUK [YVWO` HTVUN V[OLY ^PUULYZ VM :LV\S 0U[LYUH[PVUHS 0U]LU[PVU -HPY

Congratulations to Assoc. Prof. Pon-anong Aramwit, Ph.D, for her success with the silk sericin scaffold, which promotes deep wound healing. Her achievement in advancing anti-bacterial medicine has won her a Grand Prize from the Korea Invention Promotion Association and a Special Award from the Taiwan Invention Association at the Seoul International Invention Fair 2013. The award that she brought back from Seoul is highly significant, as the Seoul International Invention Fair is the largest annual invention fair in Asia. This past year’s event was especially exciting Ĺ?Ŗřź ÄťĹ?ĹˆĹ?Ĺ“ĹˆĹ•Ĺ‹Źź ĹˆĹšĹş Ĺ?śź Ĺ”ĹˆĹ™Ĺ’ĹŒĹ‹Ĺş Ĺ›Ĺ?ĹŒĹş Ä&#x;řŚśź Ĺ›Ĺ?Ĺ”ĹŒĹş ĹŒĹ?ĹŒĹ™Ĺş Ĺ›Ĺ?ĹˆĹ› ĹˆźĝĹ?ĹˆĹ?ĹşĹ•ĹˆĹ›Ĺ?Ĺ–Ĺ•ĹˆĹ“ĹşĹ?ĹˆĹ‹ĹşĹžĹ–Ĺ•ĹşĹ›Ĺ?Ĺ?ŚźŗřĹ?ĹĄĹŒųźĊĹŒĹ?ŕŎźśĹ?ĹŒĹşÄ&#x;řŚś Thai women to win made it that much more gratifying for Assoc. Prof. Pon-anong Aramwit, Ph.D, who is a professor at the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University. The silk sericin scaffold consists of a piece of fabric that covers the wound in a 3D contour. The materials used to create the silk sericin comes from agricultural waste materials. This invention is capable of enhancing the healing process from deep wounds caused by burns or scalds. The secret behind this innovative product is its ability to activate collagen production, which is an important factor in healing wounds. In addition, it can ĹšĹœĹ—Ĺ—Ĺ™ĹŒĹšĹšĹşĹ?Ĺ•Ä ĹˆĹ”Ĺ”ĹˆĹ›Ĺ?Ĺ–Ĺ•ŲĹ™ĹŒĹ“ĹˆĹ›ĹŒĹ‹ĹşĹŠĹ Ĺ›Ĺ–Ĺ’Ĺ?Ĺ•ĹŒĹşĹšĹŒĹŠĹ™ĹŒĹ›Ĺ?Ĺ–Ĺ•Ĺş without sticking to the wound. As a result, patients are able to leave their wound untouched for 7 days using this silk sericin

scaffold. Patients also agree that the agricultural waste material reduced the pain of the wound during the healing process and when the scaffold was removed, demonstrating that this invention represents a highly functional result of research. Besides bringing new ideas into the world of science, it also allows the agricultural waste materials to be put to use. After receiving at least five awards and ĹŠĹŒĹ™Ĺ›Ĺ?Ä&#x;ĹŠĹˆĹ›ĹŒĹšŹź Ĺ›Ĺ?ĹŒĹş ĹšĹ?Ĺ“Ĺ’Ĺş ĹšĹŒĹ™Ĺ?ĹŠĹ?Ĺ•Ĺş ĹšĹŠĹˆĹ?Ĺ?Ĺ–Ĺ“Ĺ‹Ĺş Ĺ?Śź ĹˆĹş Ĺ—Ĺ™Ĺ–Ĺ‹ĹœĹŠĹ›Ĺş that will attract much admiring attention once it becomes available on the market. Besides the Grand Prize, Assoc. Prof. Ponanong Aramwit, Ph.D, also received a Silver Prize for her research on a “bio-cellulose mask for facial treatment after laser surgeryâ€?. Made from coconut water derived from agricultural waste material, this Ä ĹŒĹ&#x;Ĺ?Ĺ‰Ĺ“ĹŒĹşĹ”ĹˆĹšĹ’ŹźĹžĹ?Ĺ›Ĺ?ĹşĹ?śŚźśĹ?Ĺ™ĹŒĹŒŲĹ‹Ĺ?Ĺ”ĹŒĹ•ĹšĹ?Ĺ–Ĺ•ĹˆĹ“ĹşĹ•ĹŒĹ›ĹžĹ–Ĺ™Ĺ’Ĺş structure, has the valuable ability to stick to the skin while in use. It extracts harmful chemicals from inside the skin, and continues to perform this process for at least eight hours. It is an ideal product for people with sensitive skin and those who make frequent visits to the dermatologist for a facial laser treatment. Assoc. Prof. Pon-anong’s mind certainly has its creative side! Another big round of applause for one of Chula’s hard working professors. She has proven that hard work pays off. Every award she Ĺ?ĹˆĹšĹşĹ™ĹŒĹŠĹŒĹ?Ĺ?ĹŒĹ‹ĹşĹžĹˆĹšĹşĹ‹ĹŒÄ&#x;Ĺ•Ĺ?Ĺ›ĹŒĹ“Ĺ ĹşĹžĹŒĹ“Ĺ“ĹşĹ‹ĹŒĹšĹŒĹ™Ĺ?ĹŒĹ‹Ōźź

On January 9, 2014, The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) held “National Outstanding Researcher Awards Dayâ€? to honor researchers with outstanding academic work and ŗřŖĹ?ĹŒĹšĹšĹ?Ĺ–Ĺ•ĹˆĹ“ĹşĹŒĹ›Ĺ?Ĺ?ŊŚźĹ?ŕźŋĹ?Ĺ?ĹŒĹ™ĹšĹŒĹşÄ&#x;ĹŒĹ“Ĺ‹ĹšųźĨŚŚŖŊųźġřŖĹ?Ĺł Dr. Kris Angkanaporn, Assistant to the President of Chulalongkorn University participated in the event to congratulate CU awardees. This year Chulalongkorn University lecturers and researchers received a total of four National Outstanding Researcher Awards, four Thesis Awards and two Innovation Awards from the NRCT. National Outstanding Researcher Awards of 2013 1. Field of Medical Science: Prof. Pisit Tangkijvanich, M.D., Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine 2. Field of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences: Asst. Prof. Dr. Orawan Sanguaruang, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science 3. Field of Sociology: Prof. Dr. Surichai Wankaew, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Political Science 4. Field of Education: Prof. Emeritus Nongluk Wiratchai, Ph.D., Department of Research Methodology, Faculty of Education

The Gazette of Chulalongkorn University

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Prime Minister Road Safety Award 2013 Congratulations are in order for the Infrastructure Management Research Unit of Chulalongkorn University as they ended the year 2013 by winning the Prime Minister Road Safety Award in the Road Safety Management category. The award ceremony was held during the 11th Thailand Road Safety Seminar which took place between 11 – 12 December, 2013 at Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center, Bangna, Bangkok. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kasem Choocharukul as a representative of the Infrastructure Management Research Unit of CU attended the event and received the award. The Prime Minister Road Safety Award is presented to individuals, private agencies, or government agencies that have contributed to the remarkable success of road safety development in Thailand.

The Infrastructure Management Research Unit of Chulalongkorn University proudly presenting their award, led by representative, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kasem Choocharukul (center).

CU Researchers and Lecturers Win Outstanding Researcher and Research Awards from NRCT Thesis Awards for 2013 1. Field of Philosophy: “Building Siwilai: Transformation of Architecture and Architectural Practice in Siam during the Reign of Rama V, 1868 – 1910” by Asst. Prof. Pirasri Povatong, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture 2. Field of Philosophy: “The Phonology of Proto - Tai” by Dr. Pittayawat Pittayaporn, Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Arts 3. Field of Economics: “Innovation of Fraud Deterrence System in the Organization using Forensic Accounting and Data Mining Techniques” by Dr. Pornchai Naruedomkul, as the thesis for Doctor of Philosophy Program in Technopreneurship and Innovation Management, Graduate School of Chulalongkorn University 4. Field of Education: “Research and Development of Teachers’ Research Engagement using Empowerment Technique” by Dr. Ujsara Prasertsin, as the thesis for Doctor of Philosophy Program

in Educational Research Methodology, Faculty of Education Innovation Awards for 2014 1. Field of Medicine: Device for percutaneous closure of Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) by Prof. Ponthep Lertsapcharoen, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine

2

The Silk Sericin Scaffold for Promoting Deep Wound Healing by Assoc. Prof. Pon-anong Aramwit

2. Field of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences: Silk Sericin Scaffold for Promoting Deep Wound Healing by Assoc. Prof. Pon-anong Aramwit, Department of Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science

1

The device for percutaneous closure of Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) by Prof. Ponthep Lertsapcharoen, M.D.

Vol. 5 Issue 1 January - March 2014

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Life @CU

A Chat with Marc Dimitrov:

‘Rugby is one, but not the only part of life.’ At Chulalongkorn University, there is a variety of lifestyles for students to try out. You may choose to go for some totally new activity or, for those who have already bonded with their favorite hobby, look for a community of people to pass your free time with. Marc Dimitrov, a rugby player who won a second-runner up in the 41st University Games, is lucky enough to be able to do both.

How did it feel like to play with CU team in the 41st University Games? It was a good experience, but a tough one. We practice together a lot as a team. We play for both the University Games and Thailand University Rugby Championship. The University Games is more open because different players are given the chance to play. This year we won the secondĹ™ĹœĹ•Ĺ•ĹŒĹ™ĹşĹœĹ—ĹşĹ?ŖřźśĹ?ĹŒźğĹ•Ĺ?Ĺ?ĹŒĹ™ĹšĹ?Ĺ›ŠźĎĹˆĹ”ĹŒĹšĹşĹˆĹ•Ĺ‹ĹşĹ›Ĺ?ĹŒĹşÄ&#x;řŚśź place in the Championship. I’d say we really did Ĺ–ĹœĹ™ĹşĹ‰ĹŒĹšĹ›ĹşĹˆĹ›ĹşĹŒĹ?ĹŒĹ™Ĺ ĹşĹ”Ĺ–Ĺ”ĹŒĹ•Ĺ›ĹşĹ–Ĺ•ĹşĹ›Ĺ?ĹŒĹşÄ&#x;ĹŒĹ“Ĺ‹Ĺł

Do you also play for other teams? Marc Dimitrov

Marc Dimitrov, a rugby player ^OV ^VU [OL Ă„YZ[ WSHJL PU Thailand University Rugby Championship and a secondst runner up in the 41 University Games.

As a former student, I play for Vajiravudh Alumni Association. We compete with teams from other clubs, such as Royal Thai Army Club, Royal Thai Navy Club and the Southerners Sports Club.

Have you been playing for a long time? ÄşĹ?Ĺ•ĹŠĹŒĹşĹ”Ĺ ĹşÄ&#x;řŚśźŠĹŒĹˆĹ™ĹşĹˆĹ›źĽĹˆĹ‘Ĺ?Ĺ™ĹˆĹ?ĹœĹ‹Ĺ?źĪĹ–Ĺ“Ĺ“ĹŒĹŽĹŒųźĨĹ?Ĺ›ĹŒĹ™ that rugby became the major sport in my life. I love playing because it is like a part of me. Most of my

close friends are actually those who play rugby together. This is because we spend a lot of time on training. For example, we practiced every day before the University tournaments. Sometimes, it can get tiring when one tournament comes after another but it still feels good to play, otherwise I’d feel something is missing.

ÄŤĹ–źŠĹ–ĹœĹşÄ&#x;Ĺ•Ĺ‹ĹşĹ?śźĹ?ĹˆĹ™Ĺ‹ĹşĹ›Ĺ–ĹşĹ”ĹˆĹ•ĹˆĹŽĹŒĹşĹ›Ĺ?Ĺ”ĹŒÄŚ Actually I believe everything is manageable. I set priorities for different tournaments. Training is important but not always a must. It is true that Ĺ™ĹœĹŽĹ‰Ĺ ĹşĹ?ĹšĹşĹ–Ĺ•ĹŒĹşĹ–Ĺ?źŔŠźÄ&#x;řŚśźŗřĹ?Ĺ–Ĺ™Ĺ?Ĺ›Ĺ?ĹŒĹšŹźŠĹŒĹ›źİźĹšĹ—ĹˆĹ™ĹŒĹşĹ›Ĺ?Ĺ”ĹŒĹş for other things.

What are other activities that you have joined? I got a role in two thesis plays of my friends from the Faculty of Communication Arts last year. I also like helping people around with videos, movies, etc., when I can.

And, are you also a junior at the Faculty of Law? Ĺ€ĹŒĹšŹźİźĹŠĹ?Ĺ–ĹšĹŒĹşĹ›Ĺ–ĹşĹšĹ›ĹœĹ‹ŠźİĹ•Ĺ›ĹŒĹ™Ĺ•ĹˆĹ›Ĺ?Ĺ–Ĺ•ĹˆĹ“źijĹˆĹžųźİźÄ&#x;Ĺ•Ĺ‹Ĺş law interesting because there is a lot to learn. It needs plenty of time reading and revising. However, I don’t get anxious about the workloads. When it comes to studying, I prefer to deal with the task at hand rather than getting stressed out.

:VTL K`UHTPJ ZOV[Z VM 4HYJ PU [OL TH[JOLZ K\YPUN [OL st ;OHPSHUK <UP]LYZP[` .HTLZ

The Gazette of Chulalongkorn University

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Campus & Community

Mariners Unite

A group photo of the seminar participants

A shared love of marine science brought scientists and mariners from all over Southeast Asia to Thailand recently to share and discuss problematic marine science issues and possible ways to solve them. At the NRCT-JPSP A-Core Program Joint International Seminar on Coastal Marine Science in Southeast Asia 2013, researchers, scientists, and students interested in marine science came together to exchange knowledge and ideas with the goal of establishing a foundation for future research. The Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University had the ŗœŌňŚňŕśź ŖŗŗŖřśŜŕŐśŠź śŖź ŏŖŚśź śŏŐŚź ŚŊŐŌŕśŐğŊź ŚŌŔŐŕňř in Chiang Mai. The attending experts at the seminar came from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam. The NRCT- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Core University Program is itself an ongoing project that has been in existence for over 20 years with the support from the National Research Council of Thailand. Its main focus has always been the implementation of research projects between countries in the Southeast Asian region and to help maintain the integrity of the region’s coastal ecosystem. The seminar began with an opening speech by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thaithaworn Lirdwitayaprasit (Chairperson of Department of Marine Science,

Chulalongkorn University) who gave a brief account of the program’s background and welcomed the ŗňřśŐŊŐŗňඦźōřŖŔźśŏŌźğŝŌźŖśŏŌřźŗňřśŐŊŐŗňśŐŕŎźŊŖŜŕśřŐŌŚųź Speaking of the project, he said that its work has been a big success in terms of building and continuously developing our knowledge in marine science, developing human resources, and moreover, presenting each other with ideas and problems of the sea that lead to important research. The underlying concept is not to base activities and research on any one country, but cooperatively by all of the nations concerned, as a community. The research is based on seven topics of discussion

that include Physics Oceanography, Fish, Seaweed and Seagrass, Marine Benthos, Red Tides, Plankton, and Marine Pollution. The topics that were introduced and proposed by the participating scientists can serve as a basis ōŖřźğŕŋŐŕŎźŞňŠŚźŖōźŗřŌŝŌŕśŐŕŎźŌŊŖœŖŎŐŊňœźŋňŔňŎŌų ĻŏŌŚŌźŐŕŊœŜŋŌŋűźśŏŌźĠŖŞźŖōźœŖŞŲŚňœśźŞňśŌřźŋŜřŐŕŎ the 2012 flood in Thailand and the impact of freshwater to the ecosystem, the oil leak in the Philippines and Thailand and its impact on the ecosystem, coral transplantation, seagrass transplantation, and contamination by various chemicals or substances.

4HYPUL ZJPLU[PZ[Z NH[OLY [V ÄUK Z\Z[HPUHISL ways to protect marine from damage and pollution.

Vol. 5 Issue 1 January - March 2014

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Event

CU Tree Planting Campaign on the

Occasion of His Majesty the King’s 86th Birthday Chulalongkorn University joined hands with the CU Alumni Association, Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, Saraburi Province and Toyota Motor Thailand Limited to organize a tree-planting event on November 30, 2013 at Kaeng Khoi district, Saraburi Province. The activity welcomed Prof. Pirom Kamolratanakul, M.D., president of Chulalongkorn University, who gave the opening speech, and Dr. Sirin Kawla-ierd, Toyota’s forestry specialist, who provided useful guidance on tree planting. This tree planting project followed upon the success of the first tree planting activity in Saraburi Province, which was held collaboratively by Chulalongkorn University and Toyota Motor Thailand on the occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 84th birthday on January 7, 2012. This year over 28,600 seedlings of various

<< Prof. Lersom Sthapitanonda, Advisor to CU’s President

Representatives from participating organizations water seedlings to mark the opening of the CU Tree Planting Campaign.

CU students beam while helping create more greenness in the landscape of Saraburi Province.

indigenous species were planted by 2,000 participants, 1,500 of whom were from Chulalongkorn University. The project was an expression of the shared vision of people from different parts of society who are aware of their role in recreating more green space on our planet. “Tree planting in Saraburi helps revive the dry soil and reduce chances of forest fires,” explained Prof. Lersom Sthapitanonda, Advisor to CU president. “The trees we planted in December

2012 are now more than six meters tall. We truly appreciate the helping hands that make the landscape in CU’s property more pleasant while improving the ecology in and around the area over time.” The tree planting project marked another step toward CU becoming a green university. The activity provides a good example of putting academic research into practical use, and serves as a model for other projects of this kind in the future.

Seminar on “The Catastrophic Typhoon Haiyan” On 29th November, 2013, the Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI), focusing on the Global South and Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University jointly organized a seminar on “The Catastrophic Typhoon Haiyan: A Warning for Thais” at Room 202, Aroonsoratesana Building, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn university. The purpose of the seminar was to exchange knowledge and ideas on the recent effects of the catastrophe of typhoon Haiyan. The seminar also aimed, as its purposes, to analyze this natural disaster in the context of climate change and to prompt awareness of global environment change in Thai society. The seminar speakers included Dr. Saengchan Limjirakan, the director of Environmental, Development and Sustainability program, Chulalongkorn University; Dr. Úrsula Oswald Spring, Mexico’s Former Minister of Environment; Prof. Surichai Wun’gaeo, the director of the Center for Peace and ĪŖŕĠŐŊśźĺśŜŋŐŌŚűźĪŏŜœňœŖŕŎŒŖřŕźļŕŐŝŌřŚŐśŠĢźķřŖōųźīřų Supang Chantavanich, the director of the Asian Research Center for Migration, Chulalongkorn University; and Dr. Narumon Arunothai, the vice director

of CU Social Research Institute. The CU President, Prof. Pirom Kamolratanakul, M.D., also gave an opening speech for the event Dr. Úrsula Oswald Spring stated that, like the Philippines, Mexico had been hit by several very powerful storms. These disasters are caused by the accumulated global warming all over the earth’s land masses and oceans. Moreover, because of these rising temperatures it is highly likely that such catastrophic natural disasters will continue to occur in the future. Dr. Narumon Arunothai unveiled another vital aspect of the issue, which lies in disaster management.

<< Dr. Úrsula Oswald Spring, Mexico’s Former Minister VM ,U]PYVUTLU[

The artist presents the CU’s President with his own painting to appeal for donations to the victims.

A radical revision of disaster assistance management is badly needed. Events like this one help us to reshape out thinking regarding natural disasters, their causes, and the proper way to respond to them. They are especially valuable in light of the frequency with which such catastrophes have been striking in all parts of the world over recent years.

The Gazette of Chulalongkorn University

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Reaching the World 2013 ź İŕźĶŊśŖʼnŌřźŖōźœňŚśźŠŌňřźĻŏŌźĨŚŐňźķňŊŐğŊźľřŐśŌřŚź Association presented “Reaching the World 2013”, an international conference on creative writing and literary translation. The conference was sponsored by the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan ĨŋŔŐŕŐŚśřňśŐŖŕűźśŏŌźĨŚŐňźķňŊŐğŊźľřŐśŌřŚźūĻřňŕŚœňśŖřŚź (AP Writers) group, the Chula Global Network and the S.E.A. Writers Award in celebration of its 35th anniversary, as well as to mark Bangkok’s selection as UNESCO World Book Capital 2013. The event owed much of its success to Asst. Prof. Prapod Assavavirulhakarn, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, who served as advisor and to Assoc. Prof. Surapeepan Chatraporn, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts who, as its secretary, arranged the international conference and international literature festival. Both were key supporters in the conference. “Reaching the World 2013” was intended to open doors for writers and translators in Asia and śŏŌźĨŚŐňźķňŊŐğŊźřŌŎŐŖŕűźňŕŋźśŖźňœœŖŞźśŏŌŔźśŖźŔŌŌśź and exchange experiences and views related to literature. As an academic arena in which scholars and researchers could discuss their passion, it also drew broad attention that helped make Asian writers more visible in global literary community. Some of the activities at the conference included four days of special lectures by honorary guests, discussions among the attendees, creative writing workshops, and even the popular western practice of

>YP[LYZ HUK ZJOVSHYZ H[ [OL HJHKLTPJ ZLTPUHY OLSK H[ [OL -HJ\S[` VM (Y[Z

open mic readings for authors to share selections from their work. The conference itself was divided into three ŗňřśŚųźĻŏŌźğřŚśźŞňŚźňŕźňŊňŋŌŔŐŊźŚŌŔŐŕňřźŖōźŐŕśŌřnational writers and translators that took place from October 3rd – 5th, 2013 at the Mahachakri Sirindhorn Building, Chulalongkorn University. Prof. Pirom Kamolratanakul, M.D. CU’s President, gave the opening address and welcomed foreign participants. The second part was the Author Showcase Readings, at which famous Thai and international poets and prose writers took open mics reading from their work at various places in Bangkok. To complete the conference last year,

a Creative Writing Workshop was offered for writers, and those on the path to becoming writers, to learn techniques and practice their writing skills with award-winning professional writers. On October 6th,2013, a Literary Festival was held at which the public was invited to attend and enjoy free lectures by famous writers and scholars. As they strolled around the book fair, visitors could listen to well-known poets reading from their work through open mics. The primary goal of both the conference and the festival was to expand the experience of Thai people with literary writing and to broaden their knowledge of this enormously rich and diverse art.

Former NASA Astronauts’ Special Lecture

Dr. Matt Mountain (left) and Dr. John Grunsfeld (right) address students and staff at the Faculty of Science.

The Department of Physics of the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University held a special lecture entitled “Science@NASA” on Tuesday 12th November, 2013.

On this occasion Dr. John Grunsfeld, NASA Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate and former astronaut who went into space on a 58-day mission, and Dr. Matt Mountain, director of the Space Telescope Science Institute who is now responsible for the functioning of Hubble Space Telescope in the name of NASA, gave an inspiring and informative talk and shared their space experience and knowledge of astronomy with hundreds of CU students. Dr. Grunsfeld stressed the importance of astronomy as a tool essential for the understanding of all the natural phenomena and for helping to explore the origins and development of humans. He also described his hands-on experience before and during his trip into space, explaining that his shuttle mission was to carry out repairs and upgrades on the Hubble Space Telescope, an operation that took him 58 days to complete. After Dr. Grunsfeld had

completed his presentation from the perspective of an astronaut, Dr. Matt Mountain provided some ŚŗŌŊŐğŊźŐŕōŖřŔňśŐŖŕźŖŕźśŏŌźŖŗŌřňśŐŖŕźŖōźśŏŌźįŜʼnʼnœŌź Space Telescope. After their talk, the two guests invited the audience to exchange their ideas and to address questions to them. One of the topics discussed was how to survive in the space shuttle and how to combat the threat of orbital debris (as in the Oscar awards winner, Gravity). Both Dr. Grunsfeld and Dr. Mountain hoped that the event would arouse an interest in astronomy among Thai students, adding that the best way for the science astronomy to advance is through international cooperation.

Vol. 5 Issue 1 January - March 2014

16

Snapshots

The two professors are the only Thais in [OL th Chinese National Antarctic Research ,_WLKP[PVU */05(9,

Diving at the site in the Antarctic near coastal area of King Sejong Station is a new challenge to Dr. Suchana and her team.

Two Thai female scientists from Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suchana Chavanich and Assist. Prof. Dr. Onruthai Pinyakong, have started their mission in exploring the Antarctic, after safely arriving at Great Wall Station on January 1st, 2014 (Read full story on page 8). Special thanks to the Faculty of Science for these (super) cool snapshots!

Dr. Onruthai collects samples of sediment MYVT JVHZ[HS HYLHZ H[ *OPUHÂťZ .YLH[ >HSS Station for laboratory tests.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suchana Chavanich (right) and her Korean dive buddy

Photo Credit : Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University

Special Lecture on “Introduction of Disaster Management for Urban Cultural Heritage and Traditional Architecture in Kyoto�

Calendar

Date: 11 February 2014 Host : The Environment Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University and Ritsumeikan University Tel : (66) 2218 8821-8

The 4th Chulalongkorn University – Peking University Joint Symposium on “Advances in Medical Biotechnology� Date : 26 - 27 March 2014 Host : Chulalongkorn University and Peking University Contact : http://foreign.sc.chula.ac.th

The 1st International Graduate Research Congress Date: 3 - 4 April 2014 Host : Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University Tel: (66) 2256 4475 Contact : smedsuk@md.chula.ac.th

Academic Symposium on Connecting Knowledge: Library, News Media and Technology Date : 29 - 30 May 2014 įŖŚśźĥźĜĹ?Ä&#x;ĹŠĹŒĹşĹ–Ĺ?źĨĹŠĹˆĹ‹ĹŒĹ”Ĺ?ĹŠźĚĹŒĹšĹ–ĹœĹ™ĹŠĹŒĹšŹźĪĹ?ĹœĹ“ĹˆĹ“Ĺ–Ĺ•ĹŽĹ’Ĺ–Ĺ™Ĺ•źğĹ•Ĺ?Ĺ?ĹŒĹ™ĹšĹ?śŠTel : (66) 2218 2903 Contact : www.car.chula.ac.th/con2014

of Events

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