Volume 15 Number 1 - Mahidol University

Activities
Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2008
Mobile Dental Unit in Chiang Rai
• Picture at the opening
ceremony, Clinical Professor
Teerawat Kulthanan (first left),
Dean of Faculty of Medicine
Siriraj Hospital, Dr. Prat
Boonyavongvirot (second
right), Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Public Health.
H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided
over the opening ceremony of the Prince Mahidol Award
Conference 2008 under the main topic: Three Decades of
Primary Health Care: Reviewing the Past and Defining
the Future on 31 January at the Dusit Thani Hotel.
The conference was co-hosted by the Prince Mahidol Award
Foundation, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Mahidol University, the World Health
Organization, and the World Bank. Participating in the
conference were 400 academics, researchers, and public
health leaders from various countries worldwide.
World University Ranking Staff
Seminar Held
In order to educate Mahidol University administrative
staff with regard to the World University Rankings and ranking
methodology and prepare them for the upcoming year’s
ranking, Mahidol University organized a half day consultative
seminar entitled ‘Preparation for World University Rankings’
on 25 February at the ASEAN Institute for Health
Development. The seminar was opened by Clin. Prof.
Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, President, which was followed
by a presentation by Prof. M.R. Jisnuson Savasti, President
of the Science Society of Thailand under the patronage of
H.M. the King. A panel discussion followed, which was
chaired by Assoc. Prof. Passiri Nisalak, Vice President for
Administration and University Council Secretary, and included
Prof. M.R. Jisnuson Svasti, Assoc. Prof. Churnrurthai
Kanchanachitra, Vice President for Collaboration and
Networking, Assoc. Prof. Soranit Siltharm, Vice President
for Policy and Informatics Technology, and Assoc. Prof.
Anuchat Poungsomlee, Vice President for Physical System
and Environment.
Assoc. Prof. Theeralaksna Suddhasthira, Dean,
Faculty of Dentistry welcomed H.R.H. Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn on 18 February, working together with
faculty dentists, dental assistants and staff to deliver dental
services at a rural school in Chiang Rai Province in Northern
Thailand.
Special Seminar on Mahatma Gandhi
On 4 February, the Institute of Language and Culture
for Rural Development, Mahidol University, in collaboration with
the Embassy of India, hosted a special seminar to commemorate
the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement
(justice through peace and non-violence) and to announce the
Institute’s launch of a Master of Indian Studies program, the
first of its kind in Thailand.
The Seminar featured a theme on H.M. the King
Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and
Mahatma Gandhi’s Self Sufficiency Concept and was
inaugurated by the Hon. Ambassador of India to Thailand Ms.
Latha Reddy (third right) and Clin. Prof. Piyasakol
Sakolsatayadorn, President of Mahidol University. Eminent
speakers included Prof. Dr. Seree Phongphit (second right),
Director of the Community Enterprise Institute and LIFE
University Project and famous Gandhian Mr. Narayanbhai M.
Desai (fourth right), the ‘adopted son’ of the Mahatma. He
has been recently popular in Thailand for his translated book on
his childhood spent with Gandhi, Phuan Chan Gandhi.
The one-day Seminar featured an interactive session
where leading Thai scholars, including Bhikkhuni Chatsumarn
Kabilsingh, Prof. Srisurang Poonsub, Assist. Prof. Chirapat
Prapandvidya, Assoc. Prof. Chuthatip Umawichanee and
Assoc. Prof. Amarjiva Lochan shared their views on the
sufficiency philosophies of both H.M. the King and Mahatma
Gandhi and their application in today’s life.
January - April 2008
SPECTRUM 7