With reference to the University’s appointment of the Khon Kaen University President Nomination Committee, as per Khon Kaen University Order No. 8846/2566, of September 14, 2023, the Nomination Committee had carried out this duty in accordance with the relevant regulations and announcements, and had taken under consideration the screening of three nominees who are suitable to be appointed as KKU President and proposed the list of the nominees to Khon Kaen University Council. The three nominees are, in the Thai alphabetical order: Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D.; Prof. Monchai Duanchinda, Ph.D.; and Prof. Apirat Siritarawat, Ph.D. Khon Kaen University Council then scheduled the selection agendum of Khon Kaen University President on the 1st meeting of 2024 on January 17, 2024 at Sarasin Room, Sirikunakorn Building. The steps and method of selection are as follows:
Step 1: Presentation of each nominee for 30 minutes, the order of which was obtained by drawing lots.
Step 2: Each University Council committee member voted, 1 member: 1 vote.
Step 3: Score counting and conclusion drawing.
The criteria follow Clause 18 of Khon Kaen University Regulations on Khon Kaen University President Selection of 2021 and the amendment, as follows:
Round 1 of resolution: the selected person as KKU President must receive over half of the total votes in the first round.
In case there is no one receiving over half of the total votes in the first round, there will be Round 2 of resolution to select between the first two nominees who receive the highest votes. The selected person must receive the highest votes, not lower than two thirds. If in the second round, the votes are still equal, then the Chairman of the University Council Meeting shall vote and the result is final.
Step 4: Announcement of the name of the selected person as the President of Khon Kaen University, and the University Council makes approval of this.
Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of Khon Kaen University said after the conclusion, “On behalf of Khon Kaen University, I now inform Khon Kaen University community about the nomination and selection of Khon Kaen University President, which has been carried out for over 4 months, following all of the regulations and orders, by the Nomination Committee. There was the application step and nomination based on the process set forth. The Nomination Committee made the conclusion and proposed 3 nominees, namely, Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D.; Prof. Monchai Duanchinda, Ph.D.; and Prof. Apirat Siritarawat, Ph.D.
After the list of nominees was proposed, each nominee made the presentation about what each wanted to happen in Khon Kaen University, what each would carry out and how, together with the strategies and the methods. Each nominee had 30 minutes for the presentation, which was very interesting. It is clearly seen that there is the future awaiting and there are things that should be done for the growth of Khon Kaen University.
After the presentations, the 25 University Council members then voted. The criteria have been set that if there is the nominee receiving more than half of the votes, voting will be for once and concluded. If there is no nominee receiving more than half the votes, then voting will be repeated for the second time.
After voting, 4 committee members counted the votes, and it turned out that Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., received more than half of the total votes. Thus, the resolution of Khon Kaen University Council is to appoint Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D. as Khon Kaen University President for another term.”
The atmosphere of the announcement was pleasant. The nominees and the University Council members and all attendants congratulated the newly selected President, who will guide Khon Kaen University towards being a world class research university. Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of Khon Kaen University then presented flower bouquets to the 3 nominees as the support for them to continue working for the university.
The next step is documentation and compilation of information to submit to the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation that will in turn, proceed with proposing the selected nominee for His Majesty the King’s appointment.
News: Jiraporn Pratomchai