A quarterly newsletter of SIRINDHORN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Thammasat University, P.O. Box 22, Thammasat-Rangsit Post Office, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand Tel. +66 (0) 2986 9009, 2564 3221~9 Fax. +66 (0) 2986 9112~3, http://www.siit.tu.ac.th Vol. 6 No. 3 September 2001 Thammasat University Graduation Ceremony Academic Year 2000 His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn graciously presided over the Thammasat University Graduation Ceremony at Thammasat University, Tha-Prachan campus, on July 26, 2001. In this ceremony, 266 SIIT students received Bachelor s degrees (224 in Engineering and 42 in Science) and 7 graduates received the Master s Degree in Engineering. Since the establishment of SIIT in 1992, there have been 1050 Bachelor s Degree graduates and 20 Master s Degree graduates. Numbers of SIIT Graduates, Academic Years 1995-2000 Program Bachelor's Degree 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Total Civil Engineering 28 47 43 53 62 58 291 Electrical Engineering 25 41 48 49 64 64 291 Industrial Engineering 18 29 48 62 56 65 278 Mechanical Engineering - - 9 32 27 37 105 Information Technology - - - 16 27 42 85 Total 71 117 148 212 236 266 1050 Program Master's Degree* 1998 1999 2000 Total Civil Engineering** 3 9 5 17 Electrical Engineering - 1-1 Industrial Engineering - - 1 1 Mechanical Engineering - - 1 1 Total*** 3 10 7 20 *SIIT started graduate programs in 1996. **Joint program with TU Faculty of Engineering. ***As of 25 June 2001 Ambassadors of Bhutan Visit SIIT August 14, 2001: His Excellency Chenkyab Dorji (Bhutanese Ambassador to Thailand) and His Excellency Sonam T. Rabgye (Director of the Multilateral Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bhutan) visited SIIT to obtain first-hand information about SIIT and to meet Bhutanese students who are currently enrolled at SIIT. The ambassadors were welcomed by Professor Dr. Prida Wibulswas, the Director of SIIT, and senior executives of SIIT. After the meeting, Ambassador C. Dorji (white shirt with tie) and Ambassador S.T. Rabgye (blue shirt with tie) posed for a photo with the Bhutanese students. Five students from Bhutan have recently graduated from SIIT. At present, 16 Bhutanese students are studying at SIIT 5 in Civil Engineering, 4 in Electrical Engineering, 3 in Environmental Technology, and 4 in Information Technology programs. Eight of these students receive scholarships from the Government of Thailand and four students receive scholarships from the Royal Government of Bhutan.
SIIT News, September 2001 2 Civil Engineering Program Electrical Engineering Program Industrial Engineering Program Information Technology Program Mechanical Engineering Program
SIIT News, September 2001 3 SIIT Graduates Receive Scholarships for Further Study Abroad Anandamahidol Scholarship The Anandamahidol Foundation has awarded a scholarship to Ms. Surapa Thiemjarus to study for the Master of Science Degree in Advanced Computing at the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, starting October 2001. The Anandamahidol Scholarship will continue to support Ms. Surapa for a doctoral degree upon her completion of the master s degree. Ms. Surapa recently graduated from the SIIT Information Technology Program and received a B.Sc. (First-class Honors) in Information Technology with a cumulative GPA of 3.95. During her four years of studying at SIIT, Ms. Surapa received a number of scholarships and awards for her outstanding academic performance. Fulbright Scholarship Mr. Thanat Atchatavivan received a Fulbright Scholarship to study for a Master s Degree in Industrial & Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, starting this Fall semester. Mr. Thanat graduated from the SIIT Industrial Engineering Program in 2000 with a B.Eng. (Honors) in Industrial Engineering. The Fulbright Program was established in the United States in 1946, aiming to strengthen the understanding and communication between the United States and other nations through educational exchanges. The Fulbright Program was initiated in Thailand in 1950. This year, there are 9 grantees from Thailand for the master s degree level and 3 grantees for the Ph.D. level. Eiffel Scholarships This year, two SIIT graduates, Mr. Pruet Sitthithanakul and Mr. Jeerasak Pitakarnnop, received the Eiffel Scholarships to study at the National Institute for Applied Science (INSA) in Toulouse, France. Sponsored by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the "Eiffel" Scholarships are awarded to students who are interested in pursuing studies in France in the disciplines of business/management, law/political sciences/administration, and science/engineering. Mr. Pruet Sitthithanakul graduated from the SIIT Industrial Engineering Program in 2000 and Mr. Jeerasak Pitakarnnop graduated from the SIIT Mechanical Engineering Program in 2001. Japanese Government Scholarship Mr. Thanyapat Sakunkonchak, who recently graduated from the SIIT Master s Degree Program, has been selected as a Japanese Government Scholarship Student by the Ministry of Education (Monbu-Kagakusho) to study in Japan. He has been granted admission to the Course of Doctor of Engineering at the University of Tokyo. Mr. Thanyapat received his B.Eng. and M.Sc. degrees in Electrical Engineering from SIIT in 1997 and 2001, respectively. He will start his study at the University of Tokyo in October 2001. Scholarship for Further Study at Ritsumeikan University, Japan Ms. Oraya Sawettanusorn, a recent graduate of the SIIT Electrical Engineering Program, has been selected to receive a scholarship for the academic year 2001/2002 by the Japanese Government to study in the Master s Degree Program in International Technology and Management of the Ritsumeikan University, Japan. This scholarship is offered to students of Thammasat University as part of the academic cooperation program between Ritsumeikan University and Thammasat University. SIIT Student Receives Good Conduct Awards On 7 May 2001, Mr. Suriya Jirasatitsin, a fourth-year student of the Electrical Engineering Program, received a good conduct award from the Buddhist Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage. He also received from Thammasat University (TU) a good conduct award which was presented to him by the Rector of TU, Associate Professor Dr. Naris Chaiyasoot, in the Waikru ceremony held at the Rangsit Campus, on 12 July 2001. This year, Ms. Patlapa Petpapop and Mr. Mongkoltat Ratisukpimol represented SIIT students in the Waikru ceremony. SIIT students won the third prize for the floral arrangement in the Beauty Category. From left: Mr. Mongkoltat Ratisukpimol, Mr. Suriya Jirasatitsin and Ms. Patlapa Petpapop.
SIIT News, September 2001 4 Siam Cement Public Co., Ltd. Awards Scholarships to SIIT Students Each year, the Siam Cement Public Co., Ltd. provides a number of scholarships to students with excellent academic potential. This year, on August 30, the company presented scholarships to 8 SIIT fourth-year students who were ranked first and second in the Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering programs. These students were (standing, from left) Mr. Itthisek Nilkhamhang, Mr. Thiti Mahaboonpachai, Ms. Wilawan Rookkapibal, Ms. Peerawan Wiwattananon, Ms. Alisara Chatsirivichaikul, Ms. Nutsupak Chovichien, Mr. Boonsarn Pitakdumrongkija, and Mr. Chunyakom Sivaleepunth. Mr. Chumpol Nalamlieng, the President of the Siam Cement Public Co., Ltd. (front row, center), presided over the scholarship presentation ceremony. Other representatives from the company were Mr. Manoon Sunkunakorn, the Corporate Human Resources Division Manager (front row, second from right), and Ms. Mattana Leongnarktongdee, the Public Relations Manager (front row, right). The representatives from SIIT were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweep Chaisomphob, the Assistant Director for Student Affairs (front row, second from left), and Ms. Wanna Boonkokuae, the Chief of Academic Services and Student Affairs Division (front row, left). The Sanwa Bank Foundation Presents Scholarships to SIIT Students The Sanwa Bank Foundation has been granting scholarships annually to SIIT students since 1996. On August 11, 2001, Mr. Shinya Endo, the Executive Director of the Sanwa Bank Foundation, Japan, visited SIIT and presented a total of 108,000 Baht in scholarships to three SIIT students who have good academic performance and could benefit from partial financial support. Each recipient was presented a scholarship of 36,000 Baht. From left: Ms. Suda Khunsawad, the scholarship recipient from the Mechanical Engineering Program; Mr. Sirisak Wongsura, the scholarship recipient from the Electrical Engineering Program; Mr. Shinya Endo, the Executive Director of The Sanwa Bank Foundation, Japan; and Ms. Kanlaya Sookkij, the scholarship recipient from the Civil Engineering Program. Scholarship from Bank of Ayudhya Public Co. Ltd. On July 18, 2001, Bank of Ayudhya Public Co., Ltd. represented by Area Manager Mr. Waris Akanich, presented a donation of 36,000 Baht to SIIT to support the Institute s Living Expenses Scholarship Program. Scholarships under this program are granted to SIIT students who could benefit from financial support. Distribution of the scholarships is considered by the Institute with recommendations from the SIIT Scholarships Committee. From left: Ms. Wanna Boonkokuae, Chief of Academic Services and Student Affairs Division, SIIT; Prof. Dr. Sawasd Tantaratana, Deputy Director of SIIT; Prof. Dr. Prida Wibulswas, Director of SIIT; Mr. Waris Akanich, Area Manager, Bank of Ayudhya; Mr. Chalermpon Punyo, Branch Manager; Ms. Sirinthorn Thangtham, Assistant Branch Manager; Ms. Rattana Intaranongphi, Officer; and Ms. Prawee Anuchon, Officer, Bank of Ayudhya. New Faculty Member Dr. Chalie Charoenlarpnopparut joined the Electrical Engineering Program of SIIT in August 2001 as a full-time assistant professor. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA. Dr. Chalie s research areas include: multidimensional systems and signal processing, robust control, image processing, minimax controller design, wavelet and filter bank. Before joining SIIT, he was an assistant professor in the Electrical Engineering Department, Pennsylvania State University, USA.
SIIT News, September 2001 5 Faculty Promotions Assistant Professor Dr. Bundit Limmeechokchai and Assistant Professor Dr. Thananchai Leephakpreeda were promoted to the academic rank of associate professor in May and July 2001, respectively. Associate Professor Dr. Bundit Limmeechokchai joined SIIT in 1996 and now is the Deputy Chairperson of the Energy Technology Program. Dr. Bundit received his B.Eng. Degree (1 st class honors) in Mechanical Engineering from King Mongkut s Institute of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand, in 1987. He received his M.Eng. Degree in Energy Technology and D.Eng. Degree in Energy Economics and Planning from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in 1989 and 1996, respectively. Prior to joining SIIT he was the Chairperson of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Sripathum University, from 1994-1996. Dr. Bundit has published a number of technical and energy policy papers in international journals and conferences, and national journals based on his research work. During 1997-2000, he received four Royal Golden Jubilee Scholarships from Thailand Research Fund. His main research areas are: cool storage air-conditioning, energy conservation and management, demand-side management, integrated resource planning, energy and environment system modeling, and greenhouse gas emissions. Associate Professor Dr. Thananchai Leephakpreeda joined SIIT in 1997. Presently, he is the Assistant Director for Graduate Studies and Research and a faculty member of the Mechanical Engineering Program. Dr. Thananchai received his B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, in 1992; M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Akron, USA, in 1993 and 1996, respectively. His research interest is mechatronics in application oriented control. Dr. Thananchai has published a number of technical papers in reputable international and national Journals, and conferences. He also published a mathematical book (in Thai) on Optimization: Principles and Algorithms. His research has been carried out with financial support from various funding agencies such as the National Science and Technology Development Agency of Thailand and Thailand Research Fund (Royal Golden Jubilee Scholarship). Special Lectures July 17, 2001: Professor Koichi Maekawa from the University of Tokyo, Japan, gave a presentation on Non-linear Analysis of Reinforced Concrete to SIIT faculty members and students. Faculty members from the Asian Institute of Technology, Chulalongkorn University, and the Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, also attended this special lecture. August 15, 2001: Professor Chitoshi Miki from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, gave a special lecture on Overview of Steel Bridges to SIIT faculty members and students. Study Visit to Bangkhen Water Treatment Plant and Chong Nonsi Water Environment Control Plant On August 15, 2001, the Environmental Technology (EV) Program organized a study visit to Bangkhen Water Treatment Plant and Chong Nonsi Water Environment Control Plant. Bangkhen Water Treatment Plant is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) whereas Chong Nonsi Water Environment Control Plant belongs to the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The study visit was a part of educational activities of the course on Environmental Chemistry Laboratory. There were twenty-eight students and staff members of the EV Program, including Assistant Professor Dr. Sandhya Babel and Assistant Professor Dr. Pichaya Rachdawong, participating in this study visit.
SIIT News, September 2001 6 Study Visit to Mitsubishi Sittipol Co., Ltd., Chonburi A group of 90 junior and senior undergraduate students of the Industrial Engineering Program visited Mitsubishi Sittipol Co., Ltd. in Chonburi on August 22, 2001. They were accompanied by Asst. Prof. Dr. Navee Chiadamrong and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ruengsak Kawtummachai. The students were given a tour of the car assembly lines of Mitsubishi L 200 Strada. This field trip enhanced the students understanding of factory automation and control methods, which they studied in their class. Introduction to Graduate Education in France and Germany August 23, 2001: Mr. Etienne Cazin, Head of the EduFrance Desk of the French Embassy, made a presentation on graduate education in France. The presentation was very informative to students interested in furthering their education in France and in Europe. IAESTE Students Attend Technical Training at SIIT September 4, 2001: Professor Dr. Hubert Roth from the University of Siegen, Germany, made a presentation on mechatronics and graduate programs at the University of Siegen. The audience included some faculty members and senior students from the Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programs. Two students from Germany, Mr. Tobias Engel and Mr. Axel Friedenauer, are attending a technical training program during August to October, 2001, at SIIT under the sponsorship of the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) and co-sponsored by SIIT. Mr. Tobias Engel is a fifth-year student of the Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus, Germany. His specialization is in production management and his technical training at SIIT is organized and supervised by the Industrial Engineering Program. Mr. Axel Friedenauer is attending the technical training program at the SIIT Electrical Engineering Program. He is a fourth-year physics student of the Heidelberg University, Germany. The exchange student training program is beneficial to the students of the participating institutes. They gain not only technical knowledge, but also knowledge of different customs and cultures. The SIIT News is published quarterly by SIIT. For additional information about SIIT please contact: Executive Editor: Editors: Editorial Assistants: Prof. Dr. Prida Wibulswas Ms. On-Anong Suraniranat Mr. Paul V. Neilson Mr. Terry Avon Ms. Mo Mo Tin Ms. Ornanong Choosuwan Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology Thammasat University P.O. Box 22, Thammasat-Rangsit Post Office Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2986 9009, 2564 3221~9, Fax: +66 (0) 2986 9112~3 http://www.siit.tu.ac.th/