Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarintip Tantanee, President of �鶹����Ƶ (NU), extended her warm welcome to distinguished delegates from Embassy of Hungary in Bangkok led by H.E. Dr. Sandor Sipos, Ambassador of Hungary to the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. Varodom Pitakanonda, Honorary Consul of Hungary in Chiang Mai and high office staff members from Semmelweis University, Hungary led by Prof. Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector of the university.�� This important visit stemmed from close cooperation between Embassy of Hungary and NU where H.E. Sipos spent recent visits to the university in January and February 2025 to discuss collaborative activities and how the embassy could help assist NU in strengthening linkages with Hungarian universities, particularly Semmelweis University where an international tie with NU was established in 2016.

The visit focused on the Inauguration Ceremony of Ignaz Semmelweis Statue located at Faculty of Medical Science courtyard.�� Ignaz Semmelweis, a renowned Hungarian physician, is known for his discovery of the cause of puerperal fever and his introduction of antiseptic practices in medical care revolutionizes hygiene in medicine, saving million of lives.�� After the unveiling ceremony of the statue, H.E. Sipos bestowed a memorial coin to president Tantanee as a symbol of untiring efforts of NU to push cooperation with Hungarian universities forward.

Rector of Semmelweis University also gave a talk on “Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Heart Failure: The Results of the Budapest CRT Trial” at the faculty for interested staff members and researchers, primarily the health sciences cluster. The embassy team and Semmelweis delegates spent late afternoon for discussion session with NU involving faculties, emphasizing likely future of academic and research collaboration between the two universities.

The courtesy meeting with President of �鶹����Ƶ took place at Supan Kanlaya Room, Office of the President and Unveiling Ceremony of Ignaz Semmelweis; a special lecture by Rector of Semmelweis University; and a collaborative discussion between the two universities were arranged at Faculty of Medical Science on Thursday, 13 March 2025.

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His Majesty the King has graciously designated Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to represent Him in presiding over the commencement ceremony for graduates of �鶹����Ƶ for the academic year 2023. The ceremony takes place from March 11 to 12, 2025, at the Maharaj Auditorium, located in the Somdet Phra Naresuan Maharaj Park Building, �鶹����Ƶ, Phitsanulok Province.

On March 12, 2025, Emeritus Professor Dr. Prasit Watanapa, President of the �鶹����Ƶ Council, along with Associate Professor Sarintip Tantanee, Acting President of �鶹����Ƶ, university executives, faculty members, and students, will be present to welcome Her Royal Highness at the Somdet Phra Naresuan Maharaj Park Building, �鶹����Ƶ.

On the second day of the ceremony, a total of 2,524 graduates will receive their degrees. These graduates come from eight faculties:

• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Business Administration, Economics, and Communications
• Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Logistics and Digital Supply Chain

As part of its mission to be a University for Entrepreneurial Society, �鶹����Ƶ is committed to fostering a knowledge-driven economy, employment, and global market competitiveness. The university places great emphasis on developing highly competent individuals who are well-prepared to enter the international workforce.

As a Global and Frontier Research University, �鶹����Ƶ plays a crucial role in creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem by cultivating a knowledge-rich society through research, supporting prototype innovations, and generating research that adds economic value. The university also disseminates knowledge, innovations, research findings, and technology to society through academic services, thereby contributing to economic impact. Furthermore, it nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset among students, equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.

In addition to fostering entrepreneurship, the university is deeply committed to instilling a sense of social responsibility in its graduates. This principle encourages students to use their knowledge and abilities for the greater good, promoting generosity, inclusivity, and unity beyond racial, religious, and national boundaries. It serves as the foundation for graduates to step confidently into the global community.

During the farewell tribute to Her Royal Highness, �鶹����Ƶ students performed a special musical medley to honor and express their admiration for Her Royal Highness. The performance featured three traditional instruments – the flute, the saw u (a Thai bowed string instrument), and the keyboard – and included the following songs:

1. “Rak Oei” (Oh, Love) – symbolizing the love and respect that the �鶹����Ƶ community holds for Her Royal Highness.
2. “Kliat Hong Ber Ha” (Hate Room Number Five) – a favorite song of Her Royal Highness, which she frequently requested on the radio under the pseudonym Pa Chang (Auntie Elephant).
3. “Som Tam” – a song composed by Her Royal Highness herself during her early secondary school years at Chitralada School.

The performers were students from various university music and cultural clubs, including NU BAND, the Lanna Cultural Preservation Club, the Hmong Cultural Heritage Club, and the Thai Classical Music Club. These students, representing diverse ethnic backgrounds such as Hmong, Tai Lue, Tai Yai, Vietnamese Thai, and Tai Khün, showcased their talents in a tribute that highlighted the rich cultural heritage of �鶹����Ƶ.

“The Naresuan artists, with devoted hearts,

Unite their voices in song,

Offering melodies dear to Her Royal Highness,

A tribute of love and loyalty.

Oh, Love, an affection held high,

Room Number Five, a tale of cherished memories,

Som Tam, with its bold flavors,

Offered with deep devotion and heartfelt reverence.”

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Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the Royal Degree Conferral Ceremony on behalf of His Majesty the King, granting degrees to graduates of �鶹����Ƶ for the academic year 2023.

March 11, 2025

His Majesty the King graciously appointed Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to represent Him in conferring degrees upon graduates of �鶹����Ƶ for the academic year 2023. The ceremony took place from March 11 to 12, 2025, at the Maharaj Auditorium, King Naresuan the Great Building, �鶹����Ƶ, Phitsanulok Province.

On March 11, 2025, Emeritus Professor Dr. Prasit Watanapa, President of the �鶹����Ƶ Council, Associate Professor Sarintip Tantanee, Acting President of �鶹����Ƶ, along with university executives, faculty members, and students, had the honor of welcoming Her Royal Highness at the King Naresuan the Great Building.

On this occasion, honorary doctoral degrees for the academic year 2023 were conferred upon:

Emeritus Professor Somjit Nucharoenkul, Doctor of Philosophy (Honorary) in Nursing Science

Mrs. Cynthiakah, Doctor of Philosophy (Honorary) in ASEAN Studies

A total of 2,352 graduates from nine faculties and two colleges received their degrees on the first day of the ceremony, covering doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s levels. The participating faculties and colleges were as follows:

• Graduate School
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Nursing
• Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Medical Science
• Faculty of Architecture, Art, and Design
• Faculty of Allied Health Sciences
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Public Health
• International College

On this esteemed occasion, Her Royal Highness delivered a Royal Address, stating:

“Upon graduating and entering the professional world, individuals will encounter diverse people, necessitating adaptability for effective collaboration. A fundamental virtue that fosters positive relationships is humility. Those who possess humility recognize their own limitations and acknowledge the need for continual learning from others to enhance themselves. Consequently, individuals with humility exhibit respect and courtesy, refraining from arrogance or disparagement of others. Such demeanor earns them goodwill, cooperation, and genuine support from all sectors. Therefore, I urge graduates to cultivate humility as an inherent trait. Beyond fostering harmonious interpersonal relationships, humility contributes to societal cohesion, mitigating conflicts that may arise and ultimately benefiting both professional endeavors and national development.”

With the objective of becoming a University for Entrepreneurial Society, �鶹����Ƶ is committed to fostering a knowledge-driven economy, employment, and global market competitiveness. The university emphasizes the development of highly competent human resources, equipping graduates for integration into the international workforce by instilling an entrepreneurial mindset. Furthermore, �鶹����Ƶ provides students with cross-cultural learning experiences through exchange programs and international networking. In the academic year 2023, a total of 336 students engaged in collaborative development initiatives across 26 countries worldwide.

Additionally, �鶹����Ƶ prioritizes enhancing the competitiveness of local entrepreneurs. Between 2023 and 2024, 95 entrepreneurs participated in incubation programs facilitated by the university through collaborative networks. The university has also established cultural promotion platforms, utilizing Soft Power to integrate scientific, technological, and innovative knowledge for the advancement of local products in the global marketplace.

A distinctive highlight of this year’s Royal Degree Conferral Ceremony was the application of Soft Power in designing the stage and the degree conferral platform. The concept, rooted in Glocal (Global + Local) principles, merges regional craftsmanship and cultural identity with contemporary global aesthetics. The design incorporates elements of Cultural Heritage, Contemporary Culture, and Innovation, showcased under the theme “Naresuan Vichalai: Enlightenment from Ignorance.” This theme reflects the university’s mission to cultivate knowledge and intellectual awakening among its graduates.

The design drew inspiration from Ayutthaya-era martial arts and artistic traditions associated with King Naresuan the Great. The focal point of the stage design was the Royal Throne, modeled after Phuttan Kachathan or Sapkhap Throne, historically used by monarchs during military expeditions. Additional decorative motifs included Makara or Lion Faces, prevalent in Ayutthaya-era weaponry influenced by Chinese artistry. References were drawn from various artistic relics, such as guardian sculptures from the outer walls of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat and a lectern from Wat Mai Aphaiyaram, both representative of mid-Ayutthaya art found in Phitsanulok Province.

This holistic design approach underscores �鶹����Ƶ’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage while fostering innovation and global integration, thereby reinforcing its role as a leading academic institution in Thailand and beyond.

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Prof. Dr. Christian Hicks from Newcastle University was received by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarintip Tantanee, President of �鶹����Ƶ during his official visit to the Centre for Operation Research and Industrial Applications (CORIA), Faculty of Engineering between 17 February to 15 March 2025. ��Prof. Dr. Hicks is developing a joint research project with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pupong Pongcharoen, a staff member of Faculty of Engineering and also serves as a co-advisor for students’ theses, not to mention his role as a guest lecturer in academic courses and workshop during which time. ��President Tantanee explained Prof. Dr. Hicks towards NU current directions of research and development of staff members. ��Currently, there are grants for Staff Development Program for academic staff to conduct one year postdoctoral programs overseas and up to 3 month training at overseas institutions. ��For supporting staff, the university focuses on trainings for English language development for up to 3 months at international institutions, which each supporting staff member is also expected to learn operation and management at the institution where he/she is studying to apply to his/her currently employed position.

Prof. Dr. Hicks suggested NU consider Newcastle University branch campuses located in Singapore (field of expertise is Engineering) and Malaysia (field of expertise is Medicine) as alternatives for NU lecturers who plan to join Staff Development Program. ��A joint research proposal with Newcastle University was also mentioned; President Tantanee responded that this should be initially implemented within �鶹����Ƶ first, and the focus area would be Mapping of Primary Healthcare in Thailand which Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Business, Economics and Communications and Regional Center of Geo-Informatics and Space Technology (GISTNU) could get involved in.

The meeting took place on Friday, 7 March 2025 at 1.30 at Supan Kanlaya Room, Office of the President.

President Tantanee gave the group background information and future directions of NU towards ‘Golden Agro,’ which incorporated high value agriculture products, green technology, health and medicine, logistics and soft power. ��Strengthened by a number of CoEs and Science Park, the university also focused on grooming new entrepreneurs through start-ups with strong connections with the industry, and the visit from TUCN guests could help broaden collaboration to other areas of research expertise and mobility of staff and students. ��Located in the city of Cluj-Napoca, TUCN is a leading hub on technology and innovations and produces 10% of workforce for IT industry in the city. ��

Sharing quite a similar figures of students with NU, TUCN drives its master’s programs to correspond with the needs of Romanian companies and associates every academic program with socio-economic environment approach. ��It is proposed that TUCN and NU engage in more collaborative research projects and exchange of students/academic staff members and renew the soon-to-expire MOU/MOA between the two universities.

��The meeting took place on Friday, 28 February 2025 at 13.40 at Naresuan 304 Meeting Room, 3rd floor, Office of the President.

��

A group of senior executives from Shinshu University, Japan led by Prof. Dr. Mizue Kayama, Dean of Faculty of Engineering was warmly welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarintip Tantanee, President of �鶹����Ƶ during their official visit to the university.

President Tantanee greeted the team and thanked Shinshu University, serving as one of the most active Japanese partners, for their involvement and dedication in the past 10 years for a series of collaborative projects with �鶹����Ƶ since the MOU, initiated by both Faculties of Engineering, was signed in 2014. ��Dr. Phisut Apichayakul, Vice President for International Relations and Technology Transfer gave the Shinshu team background information and research directions of �鶹����Ƶ; he also indicated that Japan held the highest number of cooperative universities with �鶹����Ƶ.

Prof. Mizue encouraged that both universities should increase not only the number of exchange students but exchange of researchers due to shared interests in the fields of Engineering, Carbon Nanotube and Science, specifically Data Science.

NU proposed that opportunities for both the universities to strengthened international ties may include, but not limited to, co-research projects, co-advisors for graduate students, laboratory visits and trainings, dual degree programs, joint symposia and internship of Bachelor’s level students for one semester. ��This went in line well with policy of Japanese government in that it advises all Japanese higher education institutions to increase as many English instructed programs as possible for international students

Outputs of research should improve quality of life of people and increase economic standing, which NU saw high value agriculture as a priority. ��Besides, President Tantanee recommended NU Faculty of Engineering to come up with another joint project proposal with Shinshu University, in parallel with the other one already submitted for a grant from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and encouraged the faculty to utilize budget on co-funding basis with Shinshu University; Asst. Prof. Dr. Kumpon Subsomboon, Dean of Engineering welcomed this approach and would contribute 5,000 USD in the faculty budget plan.

The meeting was arranged on Friday, 7 March 2025 at 10.00 at Naresuan 304 Meeting Room, Office of the President.

The group, alongside with 11 dispatched students from the University of Shiga Prefecture, took part in learning and collaborative activities at the faculty, and the Shiga Prefecture students would also contribute to traditional Japanese performance with Thai students for the purpose of understanding of cultural diversity.

The meeting occurred on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 at 14.50 at Supan Kanlaya Room, Office of the President.

On February 27, 2025, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino of Japan was formally conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Animal Science by �鶹����Ƶ in recognition of his significant contributions to poultry research. The conferral ceremony took place at the King Naresuan Exhibition and Convention Center in Phitsanulok Province, with university executives, faculty members, and students in attendance.

Crown Prince Akishino is internationally renowned for his extensive research on poultry evolution, particularly the transition from wild jungle fowl to domesticated chickens. His fieldwork has taken him across Thailand and Southeast Asia, where he has conducted in-depth studies on the relationship between humans and chickens. His research has been widely published in prestigious international journals, further advancing the field of animal science.

Professor Emeritus Dr. Prasit Watanapa, President of the �鶹����Ƶ Council, and Associate Professor Dr. Sarintip Tantanee, Acting President of �鶹����Ƶ, led the ceremony in honoring His Imperial Highness’s academic achievements. The �鶹����Ƶ Council unanimously approved the conferral of the honorary degree, recognizing the Crown Prince’s scholarly contributions and their impact on global agricultural research.

This prestigious recognition highlights �鶹����Ƶ’s commitment to fostering international academic collaboration and honoring excellence in scientific research that benefits both Thailand and the global community.

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akiko Hirata, Supervisor, Department of International Communication, Aichi University, Japan brought a group of 11 Aichi students to meet with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarintip Tantanee, President of �鶹����Ƶ in occasion of their international fieldwork conducted in Phitsanulok area after its suspension for 20 years.�� Focusing on trash disposal system inline with SDGs, the team discussed waste management and recycling policy to help preserve nature and environment and learned that NU is committed to environmental conservation and issues, specifically for economic growth and people’s health and fully operated in waste sorting and separation for recycling process throughout the campus.�� Clean energy is also encouraged by providing electric shuttles and free bicycles for staff and students to use besides the gradual added-up of solar rooftops.�� The dispatched students, divided into 4 groups, took this opportunity to interview President Tantanee with regards to Buddhism practices to help preserve environment, social activities among students to increase interpersonal skills, and how government gets involved in community-based tourism in the country; pros and cons of such involvement to name just a few.

The meeting occurred on Thursday, 6 February 2025 at 10.40 at Supan Kanlaya Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Office of the President.

Later in the afternoon, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tantanee presided over the opening the 23rd Japan Education Fair, where booths from Fukui University of Technology, Kanazawa University, Kyoto University ASEAN Ceter, to name just a few, were exhibited for interested staff, university students and high school students to query about channels of studies, exchange opportunities and obtain necessary information for their future plan of study abroad in Japan, where a broad range of support such as the Japanese Government Scholarships (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) is available.

Arranged by Division of International Affairs and Language Development, the meeting took place at Naresuan Room 102, Office of the President, and the 23rd Japan Education Fair, accommodating some 140s attendants, was organized at Main Conference Meeting Room, Center for Information Technology and Communication Services on Wednesday, 22 January 2025.