Bangkok--31 Jul--KASIKORNBANK
Thailand's first university of art, Silpakorn University, has allied with KASIKORNBANK (KBank) in technology and innovation development toward devising services that cater to the demand of more than 25,000 students, lecturers and staff members of the university.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Wanchai Sutananta, President of Silpakorn University, said the university has been committed to enhancing creativity by leading a simpler life, so that students can have more time to create academic works and activities. The SU CHANGE Project has been initiated on a concept that creativity will occur with everyday-life inspiration. Students of the 21st Century have grown up with digital IT technology and communications; they need convenient, speedy and anywhere-anytime communications on mobile devices. Therefore, service platforms must become sophisticated enough to communication with this generation, and such new experience will inspire students' creativity, which will transform into new startup businesses that will advance alongside these students, making them ready for the Thailand 4.0 era.
"Regarding the development of curriculum or learning supporting medium, Silpakorn University has consistently introduced new learning programs to meet the lifestyle needs of the 21st century, namely the innovation and creative program for SMEs, as well as business innovation and data science programs. We are also ready to support the development of modern technologies and innovative teaching concurrently with offering services that meet the students' needs as part of our 'Student First' policy. This is seen in the introduction of co-learning space and co-working space for our students, not to mention the maker space for them to experiment their work in accordance with their own concepts via state-of-the art equipment, such as 3-D printer. We have also set up a number of learning centers, including the English Knowledge Development Center and Learning and Teaching Innovation Center", said Asst. Prof. Dr. Wanchai.
KBank President Kattiya Indaravijaya said that KBank has supported Silpakorn University's SU CHANGE Project in three areas.
The development of a mobile app, aimed at offering convenience for over 25,000 SU students and personnel. This app will enable students to register their courses, view course timetable, request various documents, receive SU news alerts, view their activity records, monitor the status of requested documents, request SOS, and view the electric train locations. It can also be used to make bill payments via QR Code at SU canteens and stores located around SU to promote a cashless society.
In addition, dormitory is one of the basic facilities that Silpakorn University has attached high importance to. Housing more than 1,300 dormitory rooms, the university has developed the dormitory system management into one of the features of the university's online applications. Students can check the status of dormitory, reserve the room, pay the rent, update the information and activities, check their rights to renew the lease, vote for the dormitory president and request a repair with attached image of broken equipment. The online service has boosted the efficiency of the university's facilities management. It is not only used for the students' dormitories but also the accommodations of the university's lecturers and staff at Sanam Chandra Palace Campus and Phetchaburi Information Technology Campus.The establishment of co-learning space for activities, providing an area for students to innovate and display their work. Small meeting rooms will also be available for students.Provision of business perspectives for students by guiding them to commercialize their designs so that they blossom in future career in their individual style.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Wanchai added that Silpakorn University is Thailand's first art university. Originally established as the School of Fine Arts under the Fine Arts Department, it was founded by Professor Silpa Bhirasri. The university is famed for art and design in line with its vision "Silpakorn University is a Leading Creative University". It is now a fully-fledged university under the international standard which offers degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels in all major fields of art and design, social sciences and humanities, science and technology and health science at three major campuses, i.e., Wang Tha Phra Campus, Sanam Chandra Palace Campus and Petchaburi Information Technology Campus. It also extended its capacity to establish the Demonstration School of Silpakorn University and Silpakorn University International College (SUIC). The university has more than 25,000 students, lecturers and staff members.