MUIC news & updates

Picture: Noppamast Sae-Tang, Joachim Karnasuta, Chananthorn Thiusathien, Nandini Bhatia and Jagruti Sampat with friends.

Six MUIC students minoring in French took advantage of the summer break by enrolling in a special program at the International Summer University of Nice, France, from July 31 to August 27.

Apart from intensive classes in French every weekday morning, the group participated in a number of afternoon workshops which included theatre, business, oral and written French and international relations; the choice of workshop depended on their level of language proficiency.

The month-long experience, however, wasn’t exclusively academic. The students were assigned to host families, an arrangement which provided an ideal opportunity not only to improve their speaking skills but also to gain insight into the French lifestyle and culture. The group also explored local tourist attractions such as Le Chateau de Nice and a number of museums, along with excursions to Cannes, St. Tropez, Grasse and Monaco.

Picture: The winning team of the MUIC Business Competition.

The Business Administration (BBA) Division conducted the MUIC 20th Anniversary Year Business Competition 2006 on August 4 and 5 in the Seminar Room. Unlike others years, all MUIC students were eligible to participate, a concession in honor of this landmark year. Nineteen teams, consisting of four members each, participated in the competition and were required to employ their analytical and strategic skills in determining how the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) should effectively allocate an extraordinary budget of 50 million Baht and further transform the BMTA into a self-reliant organization over the next 10 years.

All of the teams battled their way into contention during the first day until there were only five teams eligible for the second and final round on August 5. After each presentation, the teams were questioned by a panel of judges consisting of executives from ExxonMobil, which co-funded the event, the Thai Farmers Bank, L’Oreal and Trinity Finance, as well as Director Chariya Brockelman, Dr. Yaowalark Sukthana and BBA lecturers.

The winning team was impressive as much by its presentational skills as by its diversity: Mr. Courtney James Patrick O’Connor (Computer Science), Ms. Khasarin Vachirayakorn (Travel Industry Management), Ms. Sailee Sarangdhar (Business Administration) and Ms. Amanda Charoenlertdajkul (Biological Science).

Candidates from the five winning teams were selected to represent MUIC at the Thammasat University Business Case Competition on August 16-19 at the Amari Watergate Hotel in Bangkok. Team members consisted of three BBA majors,
Mr. Yosaphol Wattanavekin, Ms. Jiraporn Pinyocheep and Ms. Sailee Srangdhar, and Ms. Khasarin Vachirayakorn, a TIM major. While they were pitted against formidable teams from the United States, Canada, Spain and other Asian countries and did not survive the initial rounds, the team welcomed the opportunity.

Picture: Impression from the Entertainment Media stand by Kantana at Open House 2006.

Given the significance of MUIC’s landmark 20th anniversary year, there was a concerted effort to ensure that this year’s Open House would be the most successful yet.

And it was. Approximately 2,800 students, teachers and parents from 56 participating public and private schools, along with friends of the college and members of the general public, attended the fourth annual Open House.

The day’s activities included the promotion of MUIC’s academic programs and student activities. Apart from the displays and exhibitions at the MUIC complex, visitors also had an opportunity to tour the Salaya campus.

Picture: Representative members of the MUIC community.

On the evening of July 29, MUIC hosted a gala dinner at the Dusit Thani Hotel in honor of its 20th anniversary. The 550 guests included representative members of the MUIC and Mahidol University communities along with alumni and friends.

Director Chariya Brockelman welcomed the guests; Mahidol University President, Dr. Pornchai Matangkasonbut, delivered an address and toasted the college on its accomplishments over the past 20 years. Entertainment was provided by Mahidol University’s College of Music Orchestra and the celebrated Thai singer, Rudklao Amaradit.

Each of the guests received a special souvenir, a book of remembrance highlighting MUIC’s 20-year history.

The MUIC Student Association, under the supervision of the Office of Student Affairs, conducted its annual Training and Evaluation Campo at the Juladish Resport and Spa in Khao Yai from July 24 to 26.

The purpose of the three-day session was to evaluate the past year’s performance of the Student Association and MUIC clubs as well as to strategize and plan activities for the coming academic year.