Mahidol University of Choice is the title of a special press interview we organized on 1 September 2010 for Clin. Prof. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, M.D., president of Mahidol University to talk about the university?s vision to become a world-class university of choice for all Thai students. ?The special interview is the highlight of the communication program we design to position the university on the top of mind of Thai students.
A video presentation “A Day in Life at Mahidol Salaya”, specially produced for high-school students was also premiered at this event.
A World-Class Research University
Mahidol University is known for its quality of research and education, having ranked first in Thailand and 28th in Asia by the Quacquareli Symonds (QS) Asian University Rankings 2010 (an improvement from its 30th ranking in 2009). Clin. Prof. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, M.D. said that, We have had the vision to establish the university as a world-class university since 1980 by building on our strengths in medical, health sciences and technological research. “Mahidol University has always had a very strong research culture.”
University of Choice for Thai Students
Clin. Prof. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, M.D. outlined his vision in a bid to develop Mahidol University to become the university of choice for all Thai students. His vision for a university of choice is based on four key elements, which are unique to the university:
- an inquisitive mind and research culture to push the boundaries of knowledge in science, technology, humanities and its applications
- academic excellence in all areas of teachings
- a college experience like no other
- a philosophy of education that encourages commitment to society and measures its success on the application of knowledge for the benefit of mankind.
This special video presentation produced by Siamentis could be found on YouTube.
One week after the press conference, the video has attracted more than 10,000 views
and has been shared by more than 10,000 times on Facebook.
Creative Campus Life
In order to offer a college experience like no other, Mahidol University has been investing to improve the physical environment of the Salaya campus to support a creative campus lifestyle.
The Salaya campus is situated on a total area of 1,240 rais. The university is committed to limiting the area occupied by buildings to 30 percent of the total area dedicating the rest of the land to green open space, a botanical garden, and fields of green foliage.
Mahidol University has carefully expanded and improved its campus to accommodate the nearly 5,000 incoming freshmen and to support student activities. Public bicycles and a tram service provide on-campus transportation and a students are able to commute to and from the inner city via the shuttle bus service, which links the Salaya campus with the Wongwian Yai BTS Station. Students living on campus can now concentrate on their studies and participate in on-campus activities without having to spend time commuting. Wireless high-speed internet also now covers a majority of the campus allowing students to work remotely anytime.
The Mahidol University, Salaya campus has number of student activities and traditions that make the university a distinct social hub for students. The university has continuously supported campus social activity and the management and operation of clubs by students. The clubs on campus cover a wide range of interests and many of them hold regular events to entertain the campus habitants. The College of Music, for example, adds vibrancy to the art scene of Salaya campus with regular concerts and student performances.
As part of its general education, Mahidol University requires students from different faculties to work together on projects. This enables students to make new friends outside their own academic discipline. Community development and volunteering are common themes for these projects students work on.
In 2011, Mahidol University, Salaya will open the new Mahidol Learning Center to accommodate its incoming freshmen. ?The new learning center will be have a total floor space of 18,000 square metres. This building was purposely built to facilitate learning and student activities. The university is also building its first auditorium, which will hold 2,500 seats and will house musical and theatrical productions. The stage and acoustic design will be state-of-the-art. By its completion, the new auditorium will rival the best concert halls in Asia.
