FRIENDS Teahouse at PSU, Thailand
Intercultural Passport Exploitation – Endorsement Letter on Institutional Level
FRIENDS Reunion at PSU, September 2021
On 21 September 2021, PSU successfully held a special event entitled FRIENDS Reunion at PSU: Expand Your Global Skills. The virtual gathering drew more than 300 PSU staff and students. The Vice President for International Affairs, Asst. Prof. Dr. Thakerng Wongsirichot gave a welcome speech, while Ms. Supitcha Ek-uru, Assistant President for Foreign Affairs Promotion gave a presentation on FRIENDS project’s outcomes and impact. Furthermore, one of PSU FRIENDS student representatives shared his significant insights gained from participating in project’s activities. Finally, motivational talks on the value of cultural dialogue and the importance of intercultural awareness and competence in terms of employability were well delivered by knowledgeable invited speakers. (FRIENDS Reunion Agenda, FRIENDS Reunion Description, Reunion Evaluation Summary, Event’s Video Recording)
FRIENDS International and Intercultural Festival at PSU, March 2021
PSU held the event “Virtual International and Intercultural Festival” on 9 and 11 March 2021, in appreciation of cultural diversity, and to foster a deeper understanding of the various unique national identities that make up the PSU international community.
The two-day festival broadcast live on zoom and social media, has attracted a total of 476 participants. The event was chaired by PSU President Asst. Prof. Dr. Niwat Keawpradub, and organised by GACC under Vice President for International Affairs Asst. Prof. Dr. Thakerng Wongsirichot. Following informative presentations of the Erasmus+ FRIENDS project by students selected to take part in the Student Boot Camp, PSU international faculty and students from ten countries presented unique aspects of their culture. Germany, Hungary, India, Nigeria, the Philippines were presented on the first day, with Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Romania on the second. Cultural performances, quiz activities and an English singing contest completed the event.
The festival was a much-welcomed break during the pandemic, and offered a good opportunity to foster a greater sense of international community among Thai and international students, staff, and members of the general public. The agenda of PSU’s Virtual International and Intercultural Festival is available here.
Event Calendar (version as of July 2022)
Event Calendar (version as of March 2021)
Official Opening Event at PSU, October 2020
On 27 October 2020, PSU International Affairs Office (IAO) arranged an opening ceremony to mark the establishment and launch of PSU FRIENDS Teahouse. Students from various faculties joined the event along with PSU staff and administrators. To nurture their global skills, participants joined and enjoyed playing various games arranged by the coordinating students under the supervision of PSU IAO staff. The three PSU students in charge of co-running the FRIENDS Teahouse at the University who will also take part in the FRIENDS project’s Student Boot Camp in 2021, shared their experiences and knowledge gained through the recent Online Introduction to the Student Boot Camp. They also presented the FRIENDS Teahouse’s initial agenda reflecting upcoming activities and initiatives. The PSU FRIENDS Teahouse’s missions are to create a social space for students and staff from different backgrounds, to develop a society of learning based on multicultural environment, and to promote tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding among students and staff across campus. The FRIENDS Teahouse is expected to quickly evolve into a lively student social hub to welcome and foster multiculturalism and diversity on campus.
