China’s “Panda Papa” Hu Jinchu Dies at 94

By

-

17 February 2023, 16:26

panda papa1 — FILE Hu Jinchu teaches in a class. (Photo provided to Xinhua)

CHENGDU, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) — China’s pioneer in ecological and biological research of giant pandas, Professor Hu Jinchu, also known affectionately as the “panda papa,” died of illness at 94 on Thursday night.

The revered zoologist passed away at a hospital in Nanchong City, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, according to China West Normal University.

Hu is internationally recognized as the founder of the ecological and biological research of giant pandas and is hailed as the “first man to study giant pandas in China.”

panda papa2 — British scientist Alice C. Hughes (L) and Xinhua correspondent Miao Xiaojuan (C) visit Hu Jinchu, renowned giant panda expert in Nanchong City, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, April 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Xu Yongzheng)

He was appointed by the forestry department of Sichuan as the lead expert of a survey team for precious animal resources in 1974.

Based on the field research and findings by Hu and his research team, Wolong National Nature Reserve was expanded from 20,000 hectares to 200,000 hectares. Several national nature reserves attained approval due to his efforts.

According to Hu, each giant panda has different chewing habits, which means the length, thickness and chewing degree of bamboo residue vary accordingly. Therefore, researchers could obtain information on the number, age and activity range of giant pandas by comparing bamboo residue.

The method, which was named after Hu later, proved to be very helpful in studying the living situations of the wild giant panda.

In 1978, Hu Jinchu led the establishment of the world’s first field ecological observation station for giant pandas in Wolong National Nature Reserve.

panda papa3 — Photo taken in 1984 shows Hu Jinchu (M) offers training to local doctors based in 17 counties and districts in the habitat of giant pandas so that they can give first-aid to pandas in need. (Xinhua/Jin Xuqi)

In 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature downgraded the giant panda from “endangered” to “vulnerable” on the global list of species at risk of extinction thanks to China’s decades of efforts.

Currently, fewer than 2,000 pandas live in the wild, mostly in Sichuan and Shaanxi.

“Research on giant pandas is one mission that the era gifts. We should work hard on it,” Hu said.

In September 2019, Hu, along with three others, received lifetime achievement awards for their unrelenting efforts and outstanding achievements in the scientific research and conservation of giant pandas.

67951330 627254587761211 5357376071400423424 o — Photo taken on July 25, 2019 shows giant pandas at the “Giant Panda Kindergarten” in the Shenshuping base of China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas in Wolong, Southwest China’s Sichuan province. [Photo/Xinhua]

The award was launched by the Sichuan Provincial Bureau of Forestry and Grassland, the World Wide Fund for Nature as well as other institutions, as China marks the 150th anniversary of the scientific discovery of giant pandas.

“We believe that protecting pandas is protecting ourselves,” said Hu, who has spent 45 years on the research and conservation of giant pandas in China.

YouTube CEO Steps Down, Severing Longtime Ties to Google

By

Associated Press

-

17 February 2023, 14:23

Susan Wojcicki, a longtime Google executive who played a key role in the company’s creation, is stepping down as YouTube’s CEO after spending the past nine years running the video site that has reshaped entertainment, culture and politics.

In an email to YouTube employees that was shared publicly Thursday, the 54-year-old Wojcicki said she is leaving to “start a new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects I’m passionate about.” She didn’t elaborate on her plans.

Neal Mohan, who has worked closely with Wojcicki for years, will replace her as YouTube’s CEO.

Although she became one of the most respected female executives in the male-dominated tech industry, Wojcicki will also be remembered as Google’s first landlord.

Shortly after Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin incorporated their search engine into a business in 1998, Wojcicki rented the garage of her Menlo Park, California, home to them for $1,700 a month.

Page and Brin — both 25 at the time — continued to refine their search engine in Wojcicki’s garage for five months before moving Google into a more formal office and later persuaded their former landlord to come work for their company.

“It would be one of the best decisions of my life,” Wojcicki wrote in the announcement of her departure.

In 2006, Google bought Wojcicki’s home to serve as a monument to the roots of a company now valued at $1.2 trillion. During Wojcicki’s career at Google, Brin became her brother-in-law when he married her sister, Anne, in 2007. Brin and Anne Wojcicki divorced in 2015.

Wojcicki’s departure comes at a time when YouTube is facing one of its most challenging periods since Google bought what was then a quirky video site facing widespread complaints about copyright infringement in 2006 for an announced price of $1.65 billion. The all-stock deal was valued at $1.76 billion by the time the transaction closed.

Although Google was initially derided for paying so much for a video service whose future appeared to be in doubt, it turned out to be a bargain. Besides becoming a cultural phenomenon that attracts billions of viewers, YouTube also has become a financial success with ad revenue totaling $29 billion last year. That was up from annual ad revenue of $8 billion in 2017 when Google’s corporate parent, Alphabet Inc., began to disclose YouTube’s financial revenue.

But YouTube’s ad revenue during the final six months of last year dropped 5% from the previous year — the first extended downturn that the video service has shown since Alphabet peeled back its financial curtain. Analysts are worried the slump will continue this year, one of the reasons Alphabet’s stock price has fallen 11% since it released its most recent quarterly report two weeks ago.

Wojcicki is also leaving just days before the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in a case threatening the freewheeling style that has long been one of YouTube’s biggest advantages.

The case stems from the 2015 death of an American woman killed in Paris during an attack by Islamic State in an incident that spurred the victim’s family to file a lawsuit alleging YouTube’s algorithms aided the terror group’s recruitment. If the court decides that tech companies can be held liable for material posted on their sites, experts say the effects could not only destroy YouTube but shake up the entire internet.

That’s because under the U.S. law, internet companies are generally exempt from liability for the material users post on their networks. Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act — itself part of a broader telecom law — provides a legal “safe harbor” for internet companies — a protection that YouTube co-founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen seized upon as an opportunity to launch as video site to “broadcast yourself.”

___

AP Technology Writer Barbara Ortutay and AP Business Writer Michelle Chapman contributed to this story.

Prayut Is Planning an Election After the General Debate

By

Khaosod English

-

17 February 2023, 14:06

After the final general debate, which looked like a no-confidence discussion for parliament, ended, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Thailand’s prime minister and defense minister, told reporters he had an election date in mind.

He said he had to think beforehand and wait for the final decision when everyone and every party were ready. He added that his party, the United Thai Nation, was prepared and only waiting for an official announcement.

“I want it to be a pure and creative election.” “I also want all those who will lead the country to value the country and the people the most to advance the nation and secure the future of your children,” Prayut said.

However, on February 17th, he declined to answer questions: will the parliament be dissolved near March 21st, which is his birthday, or not?

Grey Thai Corrupted

The general debate was held on February 15 and 16 to provide clarity and make proposals to the Cabinet. The opposing parties took aim at the government, particularly with regard to the economy, especially the rising debt and the obviously poor living conditions of the people.

They pointed to the scandalous corruption within government organizations and the army, which coincides with the corruption index on which Thailand has dropped 25 places.

The debate by Rangsiman Rome, a member of the Move Forward Party, on the “Grey Thailand,” which was a shadow story with the corrupt money of the Chinese, was the highlight.

He mentioned the Tuhao scandal and the case that a senator had a connection with Tun Min Latt, a businessman linked to the Myanmar military, who was charged with laundering money from illegal drugs. The court issued an arrest warrant for this senator but later revoked it because the senator had privilege protection.

This senator also owns a prime plot of land in the heart of Ari Soi 5, which was later built on. The building is now the United Thai Nation Party headquarters, Prayut’s new party.

“The most painful thing is that some of the accomplices who enable international criminals to succeed are Thai.” This is what the “Grey Thai” are doing. “[They are] opening up our country for criminals to rob us for the last 8 years,” said MP Rangsiman.

Two tragedies inside the army

The question left unanswered by the government is about the tragedy of the sinking warship HTMS Sukhothai, which had to do with corruption leading to unready conditions such as the protective gate against the water being inoperable and the gate seal being worn out.

pijarn — Phicharn Chaowapatanawong, a Move Forward Party MP, questioned the corruption in the repair of the ship.

padipat — Padipat Suntiphada, a Move Forward Party MP, exposed the path of corruption in a housing project for the military.

Another tragedy occurred in 2020 when a mass shooting occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima, killing 30 people and injuring 58, by a frenzied soldier who became agitated after being cheated in an army housing project.

The army attempted to cover up the story and never admitted to an internal culture of corruption that is typically passed down from generation to generation, with the actual perpetrators never punished and no justice served.

Quote of the day

The highlighted quote from General Prayut in this general debate is from his response on water management. He said, “There is flooding because there is rain.” If there is no rain, there are no floods… “Why you all laughing?”

Bruce Willis Has Frontotemporal Dementia, Condition Worsens

By

Associated Press

-

17 February 2023, 12:53

NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly a year after Bruce Willis’ family announced that he would step away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, his family says his “condition has progressed.”

In a statement posted Thursday, the 67-year-old actor’s family said Willis has a more specific diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.

“While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” the statement read. “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone.”

Last March, Willis’ family said his aphasia had affected his cognitive abilities. The condition causes loss of the ability to understand or express speech.

In Thursday’s statement, his family said communication challenges were just one symptom of frontotemporal dementia.

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration describes FTD as a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain that affects behavior, language and movement.

Aphasia can be a symptom of it. The association describes frontotemporal degeneration as “an inevitable decline in functioning,” with an average life expectancy of seven to 13 years after the onset of symptoms.

AP23047733323942 — Bruce Willis attends a movie premiere in New York, Oct 11, 2019. (CHARLES SYKES / FILE / INVISION / AP)

“Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead,” the family’s statement read, adding that it can take years to get a proper diagnosis. “As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.”

The statement was posted on the website for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration and signed by Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, his ex-wife Demi Moore, and his five children, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.

Over a four-decade career, Willis’ movies had earned more than $5 billion at the worldwide box office. While beloved for hits like “Die Hard” and “The Sixth Sense,” the prolific actor had in recent years primarily featured in direct-to-video thrillers.

“Bruce has always found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the same,” the family said Thursday. “It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”

GULF’s core profit surges 37% YoY to all-time high of 12 billion in 2022

By

Contributor

-

17 February 2023, 11:42

Gulf Energy Development Plc. (GULF) reported the financial results for Q4/22 with a core profit of THB 3,593 million, an increase of THB 865 million or 32% Year-over-Year (YoY). The growth was primarily driven by Gulf Sriracha’s (GSRC) IPP power project units 3-4, which began commercial operation in March and October 2022, respectively, with a total installed power generation capacity of 1,325 MW. Consequently, all four units of GSRC are now fully operational. A further attribution to Q4/22’s core profit is the THB 1,085 million share of core profit from INTUCH. In addition, in December 2022, GULF divested its 50.01% equity stake in BKR2 Holding, a holding company for the Borkum Riffgrund 2 (BKR2) offshore wind power project in Germany, to Keppel Group, resulting in a THB 381 million gain on the sale. The net profit for Q4/22 amounted to THB 5,406 million, a 78% YoY increase from THB 3,043 million in Q4/21.

In 2022, GULF’s total revenue was THB 101,397 million, a 92% increase from THB 52,870 million in 2021, and core profit was THB 12,098 million, a 37% increase from THB 8,812 million in 2021. The growth was driven by the commercial operation commencement of GSRC power project units 3-4, totaling 1,325 MW, in March and October 2022, as well as the commercial operation commencement of an additional 155 MW of the gas-fired power project DIPWP in Oman, bringing the total to 195 MW. Another factor is the improved performance of the BKR2 offshore wind power project in Germany as a result of rising average electricity selling prices, which nearly doubled from €184/MWh to €352/MWh in Q3/22, as well as an increase in the average wind speed from 8.5 m/s in 2021 to 9.1 m/s in 2022. Additionally, in 2022, GULF also recognized share of core profit of THB 324 million from three wind power plant projects under Gulf Gunkul Corporation, in which GULF made an investment in July 2022. Furthermore, GULF recognized share of core profit from INTUCH and profit from the acquisition of THCOM totaling THB 4,656 million.

The gross profit margin for 2022 was 20.6%, a decrease from 27.6% in 2021, due to the spike in average natural gas costs by 86% YoY, from 266.02 THB/MMBTU in 2021 to 494.78 THB/MMBTU in 2022, while the average Ft rate rose by a mere 0.5518 THB/kWh (from -0.1532 THB/kWh in 2021 to an average of 0.3986 THB/kWh in 2022). However, since 86% of GULF’s electricity is sold to Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and passes on the natural gas costs to EGAT, while only 14% of GULF’s electricity is being sold to industrial users, the impact of the sharp rise in the natural gas costs is limited.

Net profit attributable to the parent company in 2022, which takes into account the impact from FX rate, was THB 11,418 million, as a result of the Thai Baht depreciating against the US Dollar from 33.59 THB/USD at the end of 2021 to 34.73 THB/USD at the end of 2022. Nonetheless, the recording of such transaction is an accounting transaction, which does not impact the cash flow and performance of the Company.

GULF had a net interest-bearing debt to equity ratio of 1.56 times as of December 31, 2022, a decrease from 1.77 times as of December 31, 2021, due to GULF’s improved performance, which is reflected in the shareholders’ equity. GULF also received €305 million from the divestment of BKR2 Holding’s equity stake in December 2022.

Ms. Yupapin Wangviwat, Chief Financial Officer, GULF, revealed, “In 2023, the total revenue is anticipated to increase approximately 50%, which will be driven by the projects that are scheduled for commercial operation in 2023, mainly the commercial operation of the second IPP project under IPD, namely, Gulf Pluak Daeng (GPD) IPP power project units 1-2, totaling 1,325 MW, and the 1,200-MW Jackson Generation power project in the United States. Moving forward, GULF will focus on the investment of renewable energy businesses in order to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions with the aim to increase the proportion of renewable energy from 9% currently to 40% within the next 10 years through the development of hydropower projects, domestic renewable energy projects, solar rooftop projects, together with the investment in solar farms and wind farms overseas including England, other European countries, and the United States. Regarding the Pak Beng and Pak Lay hydropower projects, the power purchase agreement with EGAT is expected to be signed within Q1/23.”

“For the digital asset exchange business in Thailand in which GULF and Binance has a joint investment, we have applied for the digital asset exchange license and the securities brokerage license with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The licenses are expected to be granted within Q1/23. As for the data center business that GULF jointly develops with Singtel and AIS, construction is scheduled to start in mid-2023, with commercial operations commencing in 2025. Moreover, GULF is exploring the virtual banking business to expand the digital infrastructure business. In December 2022, GULF acquired a 41.13% stake in THCOM from INTUCH, as we foresee an opportunity to expand the satellite business into the era of the New Space Economy, namely, the use of information from satellite images for natural resource management, or the assessment of carbon storage and carbon credits in community forests, as well as the low earth orbit satellite,” Ms. Yupapin added.

In January 2023, TRIS Rating Co., Ltd. upgraded the company rating on GULF to “A+” from “A” and upgraded the rating on GULF’s debentures to “A” from “A-” rating. In Q1/23, GULF plans to issue additional debentures of approximately THB 15,000-20,000 million to repay existing loans, support business expansion, and for working capital.

Additionally, the Board of Directors has resolved to propose to the 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to consider and approve the dividend payment from the Company’s operating results for the year ended December 31, 2022, to shareholders at the rate of THB 0.60/share or equivalent to the dividend payout ratio of 151%. The date to determine the names of the shareholders who would be entitled to the dividend (Record Date) is on March 2, 2023, with the dividend payment date on April 27, 2023. The ex-dividend date (XD) is on March 1, 2023, while the 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders is to be held on April 5, 2023.

Archaeologists Report New Finds at Kiln Site in Northwest China

By

Xinhua News Agency

-

16 February 2023, 23:58

YINCHUAN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) — Archaeologists exploring a porcelain kiln site that dates back to the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227) have made major progress, including new finds, in Helan Mountain, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, said the regional institute of archaeological research.

xia dinasty — The photo shows a whiteware artifact from a porcelain kiln site that dates back to the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227), in Helan Mountain, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Provided by the institute of archaeological research of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region)

Discovered in 2017, the site covers around 40,000 square meters with 13 kilns. Archaeologists have evacuated 1,000 square meters and found a large batch of fine whiteware artifacts in two well-preserved kilns, mostly consisting of household objects such as bowls, plates, cups and dishes.

The unearthed whiteware ceramics feature delicate textures, warm glaze, and glittering and translucent effects, indicating a unique and superior type of ceramic craftsmanship, said Chai Pingping with the regional institute.

xia dynasty2 — White porcelain bowls unearthed from the Suyukou Porcelain Kiln Site in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Photo: Courtesy of the National Cultural Heritage Administration

The site is believed to be the earliest kiln site of the Western Xia Dynasty found so far in China, integrating technologies from both the north and the south, said Chai, adding that it provides strong evidence of the ethnic and cultural exchanges, interactions and mingling at that time.

The excavation and research will continue at the site to further interpret its cultural and historical value while preserving the original appearance.

It Was ‘Haunting’: Ballard Recalls Mission to Titanic Site

By

Associated Press

-

16 February 2023, 16:48

FALMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — The sheer size of the vessel and the shoes were what struck Robert Ballard when he descended to the wreckage of the RMS Titanic in 1986, the year after he and his crew from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution helped find the ocean liner that struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic in 1912.

“The first thing I saw coming out of the gloom at 30 feet was this wall, this giant wall of riveted steel that rose over 100 and some feet above us,” he said in an interview from Connecticut on Wednesday, the same day the WHOI released on 80 minutes of never before publicly seen underwater video of the expedition to the wreckage.

“I never looked down at the Titanic. I looked up at the Titanic. Nothing was small,” he said.

The crew of Alvin, the three-person submersible he was in, headed to the surface when it started taking water into its batteries, and as it rose Ballard saw the Titanic’s portholes.

“It was like people looking back at us. It was pretty haunting actually,” he said.

There were no human flesh or bones left, but he saw shoes, including the footwear of what appeared to be a mother and a baby, that looked like tombstones marking the spot where some of the roughly 1,500 people who perished came to rest on the ocean floor.

“After the Titanic sank, those that went into the water that didn’t have lifejackets died of hypothermia and their bodies came raining down,” he said.

The liner sank on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City after hitting an iceberg in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912.

The WHOI team, in partnership with the French oceanographic exploration organization Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer, discovered the final resting place of the ship in 12,400 feet (3,780 meters) of water on Sept. 1, 1985, using a towed underwater camera.

The newly released footage was from a return expedition the following year.

AP23045836475111 — The bow of the Titanic 12,500 feet (3.8 kilometers) below the surface of the ocean, 400 miles (640 kilometers) off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada in 1986. Rare and in some cases never before publicly seen video of the dive is being released on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution via AP)

There had been prior efforts to find the wreck. But the 1985 discovery and the 1986 trip were made possible by sophisticated underwater vehicles that could withstand the unforgiving conditions, said WHOI engineer Andy Bowen, who helped develop them.

“The water is near freezing temperatures and probably the biggest challenge is the remoteness of the location, and in particular the harsh environment with regard to the pressure our equipment is exposed to,” he said.

Ballard said he went through the gamut of emotions during the 1985 mission.

He was concerned that the public would figure out that he was a Naval intelligence officer who was on a top secret Cold War mission funded by the Navy to study the wrecks of two nuclear submarines that had also gone down in the North Atlantic. The search for the Titanic was a bit of an afterthought.

“I wasn’t a Titanic groupie,” he said. “I was heavily involved in my military program. So I wasn’t expecting to be affected by the discovery.”

AP23045836474304 — Deck of Titanic 12,500 feet (3.8 kilometers) below the surface of the ocean, 400 miles (640 kilometers) off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada in 1986.(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution via AP)

The ship sank at about 2:20 a.m. The 1985 discovery using the underwater camera occurred at about 2 a.m.

Ballard recalled one of the crew glancing at the clock and saying: “She sinks in 20 minutes.”

“We actually stopped the operation and raised the vehicle to gather my thoughts and I said, ‘I’m going to go outside and just get myself back together’ and everyone else followed,” he said. “We had a small memorial service for all those that had died. But we were there, we were at this spot.”

It was hallowed ground, like at the Gettysburg battlefield, he said.

The video, much of it haunting and grainy interiors of the ship taken by the remotely-operated underwater exploration vehicle Jason Jr., is being released in conjunction with the 25th anniversary release on Feb. 10 of the remastered version of the Academy Award-winning movie, “Titanic.”

AP23041528947244 — This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Leonardo DiCaprio, left, and Kate Winslet in a scene from “Titanic.” (Paramount Pictures via AP)

“More than a century after the loss of Titanic, the human stories embodied in the great ship continue to resonate,” James Cameron, the film’s director, said in a statement. “Like many, I was transfixed when Alvin and Jason Jr. ventured down to and inside the wreck. By releasing this footage, WHOI is helping tell an important part of a story that spans generations and circles the globe.”

The story of the Titanic fascinates people to this day for many reasons, Ballard said. It was at the time the world’s largest ocean liner and was supposed to be virtually unsinkable. Its passengers included some of the world’s most wealthy and famous. And in the aftermath, the world heard remarkable stories of heroism and bravery by the crew and passengers.

He said: “I think everyone wonders in their own mind ‘If I were there, what would I have done?'”

___

By RODRIQUE NGOWI and MARK PRATT Associated Press

Associated Press writer Mark Pratt reported from Boston.

How do Nasal sprays help ensure efficacy for common cold

By

Contributor

-

16 February 2023, 16:39

P&G Health supports innovative research with the Chulalongkorn University Drug and Health Products Innovation Promotion Center, CU-D-HIP to test the efficacy and quality of nasal spray.

P&G Health, P&G Healthcare Business Division, announced a collaboration with the Chulalongkorn University Drug and Health Products Innovation Promotion Center (CU-D-HIP) for an innovative research to develop analytical method to test the efficacy of nasal spray in terms of nasal distribution visualization and deposition to the nose including a qualitative assessment of the delivery device.

Many consumers in Thailand rely on Nasal Sprays for relief from common cold. There are many nasal spray products in the market which contain different ingredients, applications and delivery devices. This affects the technique of using to achieve consistent spray volume to patients when using in the real practice to obtain the efficacy regarding results of clinical studies and recover from the disease accordingly.

Fabio Ucchino, General manager, P&G Health Thailand stated “At P&G Health, we are committed to providing trusted and quality products to Thai people by combining breakthrough science with deep patient and consumer understanding. We continue to work on developing new and improved products fuelled by research to drive superior clinical outcomes. As a leader/or one of the leaders in the nasal spray category, we are excited about this research collaboration with the CU-D-HIP and look forward to contributing towards enhancing the knowledge and capability of Thai researchers and educational institutions”.

Assistant Professor Narueporn Sutanthavibul, RPh, PhD, Head of Chulalongkorn University Drug and Health Products Innovation Promotion Center, CU-D-HIP stated “Chulalongkorn University Drug and Health Products Innovation Promotion Center or CU-D-HIP has equipment, laboratory and research from instructors who have the potential to develop further to the industrial level. Systematic drive and coordination with the private sector such as this collaboration with P&G Health will help to apply the research for commercialisation and further benefit to consumers.

Assistant Professor Varin Titapiwatanakunm RPh, PhD, Veerakiet Boonkanokwong RPh, PhD, Rutthapol Sritharadol RPh, PhD and Peerawut Korpongpanich Instructor department of pharmaceutics and industrial pharmacy, faculty of pharmaceutical science, Chulalongkorn University stated “The research team has developed and applied a pharmacy students’ project to find a suitable analytical method for proving the quality of a nasal spray product, which is dosage form requiring both formulations, delivery devices and spray techniques to get the right amount of ingredient for patients. The information obtained from this research will help to create further use instruction of the product to patients.

The example of research outcomes showed the consistency of spray delivered more than 99% at the beginning, middle and end by more than 265 sprays or equivalent to 17 days in average. Moreover, the laboratory results revealed the good nasal distribution and nasal adhesion etc.

For more information, please contact 1800-295-545

AIS Academy upskills Thai teachers in “THE EDUCATORS THAILAND” EP2 Building sustainability for Thailand’s educational sector post-COVID, with “Mission to drive digital society”

By

Contributor

-

16 February 2023, 15:20

A positive impact post-COVID is that digital has become an inescapable part of the social context. The challenge is to apply existing skills and augment them digitally, to solve issues efficiently, aligned with the altered situation.

This is how AIS Academy has taken on a role in the Thai educational sector by prioritizing people at the start of their journeys as professional teachers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and leading educators. Since 2021, it has developed a course for Thai teachers to augment their skills in designing educational material for the modern world, which is appropriate for education in the digital age. The course runs from setting out the course outline, teaching tools and media, to assessing the results on students, under the program, “THE EDUCATORS THAILAND”. This is now in its 2nd consecutive year and has seen over 800 applicants after the first class of teachers proved that digital skills are at the heart of developing curricula sustainably.

“THE EDUCATORS THAILAND” is the first program open to over 2,000 key personnel from both state and private sector education, including educators, instructors, educational staff of every affiliation and trainees to both unlearn and re-learn teaching skills. The course has been designed and developed by AIS Academy and the Ministry of Education, and other leading personalities in the world of education, and certified by the Secretariat Office of the Teachers Council of Thailand. This content will develop skills and teaching innovation to support transformation of the modern educational sector, and incubate students at the present time, which is the starting point for a new generation of nation builders. Finally, the program benefits from participants being role models in communicating teaching techniques that can be applied to education.

Kantima Lerlertyuttitham, Chief Human Resources Officer at AIS and the InTouch Group commented, “AIS Academy’s mission to ‘Think in Advance’ is still relevant in upgrading end-to-end learning. Today, we are proud that THE EDUCATORS THAILAND has fulfilled its mission to incubate and give Thai teachers opportunities to develop their teaching techniques and promote creative skills in preparing educational media under the concept of ‘More than just a teacher, innovating Thai teaching into the future.’ Performances seen in this competition are a good example to inspire confidence that in the big picture, Thai teachers are ready to give children the benefit of their knowledge in charming and unusual ways, by using the potential of digital, which has irreversibly transformed the sector.”

Each of the participating teachers agreed that the knowledge they had obtained from this program such as Storytelling would help them compile material that was easy to understand and interesting. As well as this, they obtained the skills to produce short 3-minute videos for use in online teaching. Skills included presentation, video editing and even using avatars which can help modern teaching to better reach their students. For instance, there is Ms. Suwannee Thammaratthara from Bangkok College of Business Administration and Tourism. Her entry to the competition is “Fun to think about commercial law with Teacher Ja, in depth look at independent contracts.” She said, “The content is highly academic which might be difficult to understand, so we have found ways to communicate to students for them to see the picture more clearly. I am very lucky to have joined with The Educators, which has enabled me to train in digital skills and adapt them with clear and easy content to explain the text in many different forms.”

Mrs. Kannaree Thamkhonburee, a teacher from Pakkred Secondary School in Nonthaburi entered “Abnormalities in immune systems”. She said, “Biology is a subject that is close to us, but becomes difficult when it comes to things we cannot see or touch. Using digital to teach this topic helps students visualize pathogens, so it very much meets our needs. As a teacher, I have learned and become confident in experimenting with these technologies, which I had previously seen as difficult, and not accessible to my generation.”

Mr.Panuwit Sinmuk, a homeroom teacher at PSU.WITTAYANUSORN School in Songkhla teaching hygiene and physical education, entered “How to prevent Covid-19”. He said, “Children are familiar with online media and it has become a part of their lives. As teachers, we should integrate knowledge around us into formats with which they are familiar. Of course, this make children fully able to receive knowledge. Participation in The Educator was a lot of fun for developing our teaching skills, because we could arrange components of the training content in the right places and use it really well.”

Finally, Miss Nannicha Ditphanich, a teacher at Tessaban 1 (Khajornnetiyut) School in Pathum Thani and a teacher of the Thai language, entered “A vowel changes.” She found the event impressive. “Teaching small children is absolutely necessary, and we must use our imaginations to tell them stories about topics in a fun way, to enhance the imagination process. Digital technology and the principles of storytelling which I have learned will help me a lot. From now onwards, I can teach without limitations, which can be further passed on as inspiration for other teachers.”All of these inspiring works developing the future of teaching can be seen at https://learndi.aisacademy.com/ , which can be accessed by educators wanting to participate in THE EDUCATORS THAILAND. For more details see www.aisacademy.com/theeducatorsthailand

Locals Are Outraged After the Army Sent a Monk To Teach in a Muslim School

By

Khaosod English

-

16 February 2023, 12:12

Areas on Thailand’s southern borders came under heavy criticism after the peacekeeping army’s special unit brought a monk to a Muslim center, the Tadega Mosque, last weekend to teach nationalist themes about the development and origin of the Thai national flag.

The center aims to teach the ethics of Muslims and is located on the grounds of the mosque at Duku House, Moo.3, Ba-jor sub-district, Ba-jor district, Narathiwat province. The center is open at weekends as students go to regular school during the week.

Prof. Jehabdulloh Jehsorhoh of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Pattani University said it is the nature of man, irrespective of age, not to eat what is forced on him because it is not what he wants to eat unless he is hungry. People should start thinking that such behavior by the army indicates that it is trying to devour both the nation and the religion.

“The more force, the more discomfort.” The more uncomfortable they are, the more likely they are to break. Children have brains and faith. When you initiate policies, you have to be creative and respect others; otherwise, no one will respect you. “If you keep using these methods, you will only worsen and create more hatred,” said Prof. Jehabdulloh.

Prof. Jehabdulloh went on to say that Thailand’s southern borders have their own beauty in their multicultural society, which should not be infringed upon or disturbed in the name of harmonisation. In Tadega School, there are only children and no enemies of the army. The country will achieve peace if the soldiers continue to do their best.

Meanwhile, the Duku Youth Association issued a statement calling on officials to reconsider their inappropriate behavior towards Tadega. They announced the following demands:

The responsible body must rethink the problematic policy and urgently show responsibility in public.

Stop interfering and overlapping the weekend time when the local community tries to teach the children the Muslim principles or rules.

May all people, especially the youth, use all social media to express their opposition to the movement that may violate human rights and the right to assembly.

May all people, especially the youth, use all social media to express their views. They pointed out that the movement may violate human rights and the right to assembly.

Lieutenant General Santi Sakuntanark, the commander of the 4th Army Region, said this was a multicultural society, and he did not see any problems. He suggested that people should stop saying that it was not appropriate.

Grey Thai Corrupted

Two tragedies inside the army

Quote of the day

Hot News

LATEST NEWS