KKU assures freshmen’s safety with special accommodating unit that monitors students’ safety and works with student volunteers for closer observation
Asst. Prof. Dr. Somphong Sithiprom, Assistant to the President for Campus Security Affairs, revealed that at the beginning of the semester, Khon Kaen Univresity focused more on security and traffic because there are many students and parents coming to the university. In this semester there are 8,200 freshmen, so KKU needed to assure them with convenience and best security.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Somphong Sithiprom said that Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul (MD), President of Khon KAen University mentioned the policy for the 56th freshmen’s, “KKU staff please facilitate and give advice to our freshmen because they are not familiar with university student life that is different from when they are high school students taken care closely by their parents. They need to adjust themselves to life at university. Students’ parents trust our university and left their children with us, so we need to assure them with convenience and safety so that our students can feel secured and study with worry free.” As a result, Campus Security Affairs assigned Security and Traffic Division handle with this issue. Mr. Kasem Puthanma, Director of the division, increased more 50 staff – both in uniform and plain-clothes – to patrol around the university. The division also collaborated with police officers at KKU police station 24/7. Since July 17, 2019 which was the first day that freshmen and their parents came to the university, staff and officers had patrolled to observe places having welcoming activities for freshmen and around the university. Security observation would continue throughout this month because there were a lot of traffic and an increased in number of motorcycles that freshmen used. Moreover, freshmen needed to be advised about unfamiliar directions and traffic safety to avoid accident.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Somphong Sithiprom emphasized the proper approaches when monitoring security and said that staff should be polite and friendly. Students were like our family members, so we should support them. Moreover, we had training session for student volunteers who applied for Tactic of Special Investigation (TSI) of Khon Kaen University before working with the staff. The students would learn to work as a volunteer and be able to closely take care of freshmen’s security because they were familiar with each other and security monitoring could be more efficient.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Somphong Sithiprom continued that before the semester started on July 22, there was no problem with students’ security and university traffic in general. Assistant to the President for Campus Security Affairs had also given a talk and provided some necessary information to freshmen at the orientation. However, freshmen still needed to be reminded that they should pay full attention to their belongings, especially their motorcycle keys left unattended in the keyhole. If the staff found that, they would lock those motorcycles and keep the keys. Students could contact security guards to receive their keys. If students were sick or needed other assistance, they could contact security guard at their dormitory or call at 043-202191. For emergency case, they could call special rescue unit of Srinagarind Hospital at 043-363191.
“We also use technology to monitor security of the university like CCTV surveillance camera at university dormitories and other location in the university. Our staff that are in charge of security at news center will monitor 24/7. Moreover, we have AI system that can help us detect the face of suspects who are believed to have committed crime. This information connects to that of the police. We are convinced that KKU has complete security preparation with the use of technology, an increase in number of staff and participation from all sectors for convenience and best security of our staff and students,” Asst. Prof. Dr. Somphong said at the end.
News: Udomchai Supanavong
Photos: Security and Traffic Division
[ Thai ]