The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Chennai in collaboration with AVIT, Vinayaka Missions University, Tamil Nadu State, organized the Student Exchange Program for 10 days during 13-22 September 2015.  The program will allow the Thai students to visit many colleges of Vinayaka Missions University in the field of medical, science and environment and to visit Indian private sector and many historic and cultural places. The Thai students would also have opportunity to join the Environmental and Renewable Energy research projects of the university and introduce Thailand to Indian students.

The lecturer and students of five people from School of Renewable Energy Technology, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand, joined the program. Those included: Dr. Chatchai Sirisamphanwong, Lecturers, and four students namely: Mr. Kongrit Mansiri, Ms.Warisa Wamae, Mr.Maruphong Konyu and Mr.Prakarn Suwancharoen.

The students expressed their impression and opinion after the program ended by expressing gratitude and appreciation to the Royal Thai Consulate-General, AVIT and  everybody involved in the program. Saying that the program is very beneficial for them in gaining life experience, and in opening their new perspective about India, people, culture and history of India that linked and rooted Thai culture, as well as the friendliness of Indian people, the Thai student group expressed their intention to be a part to enhance the relationship between Thailand and India in the future.

The following is the students expression after the trip.

1. Dr. Chatchai Sirisamphanwong

Visit to AVIT, Chanai, India
Dr. Chhatchai Sirisamphanwong,
Lecturer at School of Renewable Energy Technology (SERT)
I travelled with students from (SERT) to participate in a study program from September 13 – 22, 2015 at Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology (AVIT), Vinayaka Missions University (VMU). The weather conditions in Chanai were almost similar to Thailand, mild hot and humid, so was very comfortable to adjust.

The program was arranged very well and everything needed as per schedule was made available. The hospitability was remarkable having the true traditional Asian touch, which now is becoming scarce due to globalization of civilizations. The foods were very much different from Thai, but were delicious.

I would like to express my feelings about the culture, institute, cities, and nature there, but above all I would like to appreciate the Indian railway system. Our train travelling was long enough to have a comment on its services. The standard was not less than any developed country which I travelled before. I really enjoyed the train journey during my stay.

The Indian culture was not unknown to us in this globalized world but to feel it deep inside was something beautiful. The hospitality, simplicity and kindness were unforgettable. The academic atmosphere was very nice being far away from city center in natural surroundings. Though the markets were not around but our hosts made each and everything of our need available in such a location, which should be attributed to their hospitality and excellent management.

The courses selected were very useful and the field experiences added more value to understand. The accommodations were fine and the staff deployed was efficient. We visited many places of historical importance and got wonderful information about culture and religion. I have beautiful memories from this trip, provoking me to collect more in future.

I would like to pay my gratitude to the Principal of AVIT and his team for arranging such a memorable and smartly managed event. I appreciate the contributions of Thai consulate at Chennai for the event.

Thanks to all. Dr. Chhatchai Sirisamphanwong School of Renewable Energy and Technology Naresuan University Thailand

2. Mr. Kongrit Mansiri

My name is Kongrit Mansiri (Mr. K)
I am a Phd. Student at School of Renewable Energy Technology (SERT) I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and thank full to all sections involved with “Thailand Students Visit to VMU program on September 13 – 22, 2015 at Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology (AVIT) , Vinayaka Missions University (VMU)”

First, I would like to thank SERT, Thai Consul general in Chennai and Vinayaka Missions University, and Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology (AVIT) for support and facilitation. I have been to many countries since working at SERT including Germany, Japan, USA, Italy, Korea but the experience in India was completely different. I felt like home during stay in there, because all lecturers, staff and also students, they are very kind to us and the reception was very nice and warm. Infrastructure in India is not convenient as European countries or America but my feeling was not different from developed countries because AVIT and Thai Deputy consul general arranged everything well for us.

I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to Principal of AVIT for friendly welcome and the best arrangement in everything such as comfortable accommodations, tasty food, and especially lecturers at the university were kind and friendly at AVIT.

My personal appreciations are due to all professors in AVIT who taught me in Renewable Energy, Bio-technology and other new fields, we got not only academic knowledge but also some good new experiences after visiting many beautiful places such as the ancient historic town of Mahabalipurum, beach and temples.

I am grateful to Madam Giri and Madam Sheryl for their hospitality and warmth. I would like to thank the driver, a perfect cook and good friends at hostel where I lived during stay in AVIT.

I don’t know how to explain my wonderful feeling and my impressions in words all but one thing I could say “I deeply appreciate and thank you so much for everything that all of you have done for us”. I wish to see you again somewhere in the world or maybe in Thailand

I will keep these beautiful memories forever. Miss you and hope to see you again.

THANK YOU Mr. Kongrit Mansiri School of Renewable Energy and Technology Naresuan University Thailand

3. Ms.Warisa Wamae

This is my thank you to all sections involved with Thailand Students Visit to VMU program on September 13 – 22, 2015 at Vinayaka Missions University (VMU) together with a deputy director and other 4 students from School of Renewable Energy and Technology (SERT), Naresuan University, Thailand. I would like to say thank you so much to all.

The first one is School of Renewable Energy and Technology and Naresuan University, for good opportunity that has been given me to get new experiences. Thank you Chennai consul general, all lecturers, students and staffs of Vinayaka Missions University, and Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology (AVIT) for warm welcome and very good taking care.

This was the first time for student exchange program for me. I have never been in India before, but I've had some impression about India. Many years ago I like to watch Indian movies, I really like Shahrukh Khan and Priety Zinta. In the number of Indian movies that I have watched, the most favorite one is “Kal Ho Naa Ho” and another thing I appreciate in India is Indian national badminton player, whether Saina Nehwal, Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa and others, they are the best in the world class. These are what I have known and admired India.

For the first day I arrived at India, I was excited about new country to visit, I was a little concerned about the food. So, I prepared some instant noodles from Thailand, but I did not need it during this trip, because your intentions in cooking for the best for us.

The first impression with warmly welcomed by 2 kind madams from AVIT (Madam Giri and Madam Sheryl) at the first day and many days throughout this trip. Thank you AVIT Principal for friendly welcome and the best preparing in everything as possible for us; comfortable accommodations, tasty food, very good taking care from everyone at the hostel, and especially lecturers at the university that made the entirety program.

I got a lot of new experience from this trip in many parts of the university management system, especially taking advantages of the topography of the area and apply for the benefit to organization, such as solar energy using to electricity and wind energy. In addition, I appreciate the system of drinking water production, waste water management, biogas producing from canteen, all laboratories in department of biotechnology, hydroponic farm, many amazing places you took us and really lovely person all.

These are just some of the impressions and knowledge that I got from this special trip, but I cannot describe in words all. I wish to invite you all to visit to Thailand, our university and our school, we will take care the best as well as possible. I will keep you all at Chennai in my memory forever. Miss you and hope to see you again.

THANK YOU Ms.Warisa Wamae (Fudai) School of Renewable Energy and Technology Naresuan University Thailand

4. Mr.Maruphong Konyu

My name is Maruphong Konyu. My nick name is Dear. I'm a Ph.D. student from School of Renewable Energy Technology (SERT), Naresuan University, Thailand. I'm very thank you to all sections involved with Thailand students Visit to VMU programs on September 13 – 22, 2015 at Vinayaka Missions University (VMU) together with a deputy director and other 4 students from School of Renewable Energy and Technology (SERT), Naresuan University, Thailand. I would like to say thank you so much to all. The first one is School of Renewable Energy Technology and Naresuan University, for good opportunity that has been given me to get new experiences. Thank you Chennai Deputy consul general, all professor, staffs and student of Vinayaka Missions University, and Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology (AVIT) for welcome and very good take care like a family.

First time I know, I will be go to India. I worry about food and many things. Because some people told me about Indian foods are fishy smell and distasteful. But when I went there everything I hear about India is not true. Indian foods are very tasty and healthy and India be livable.

Next when I visited there at Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology (AVIT). I think AVIT be provided with best Professor and best equipment for improve my knowledge. For example Photovoltaic laboratory have many equipment for learning and easy to understand about characteristic of PV module. Other example Biology laboratory have a experimentation. I got a lot of new experience such as solar energy and wind energy, system of drinking water production, waste water management, biogas producing, laboratories in department of biotechnology, hydroponic farm, it many interesting for me. I think the best to understand because I think when someone want to learn about something they can do and see experiment is better than only read from books.

Next impression is toured historic place. India is a country with a long history. So that there are many historic place to visited. Mahabalipuram is a popular ancient remains in India. When I Visited there, I sees the very beautiful ancient remains and Indian culture it look like Thailand culture. It make myself feeling as home.

I will keep you all in my memory forever. Miss you and hope to see you again in Thailand.
THANK YOU Mr.Maruphong Konyu (Dear) School of Renewable Energy Technology Naresuan University, Thailand

5. Mr.Prakarn Suwancharoen

My Impression of being Thailand Students Exchange
PROGRAMME- 13TH Sept - 22nd Sept 2015
Having a chance to go to Chennai, India this time, I found that India is a large country where its cities are various with cultures, foods, languages and different living. From the first day in Chennai, I participated many activities including visiting VMU to learn about teaching and studying, technologies and Indian cultures. I feel very impressed with this trip. Then, I divided the study trip into 3 parts as follow.

Firstly, the university has modern technology and various fields are provided such as photovoltaic rooftop plant, wind turbine biogas plant, bio technology which causes students and teachers have experimented from real tools. This makes them more skillful.

Secondly, the Indian cultures are various with dressing, food as well as religious faith. I found out that the culture remains which is different from some countries that their cultures will be losing.

Finally, I have stayed for 10 days. Then, I met a lot of people there and they are diligent, generous and friendly. Moreover, they cooked some delicious food for me. I feel thankful for having good and precious time to meet many kind people from this trip.
In conclusion, the activities are very useful for me in order to develop my knowledge and learn and exchange two different cultures.
I want to say thank you to the person who initiated the trip and my Indian friends who took care of us thoroughly. See you again.
Mr.Prakarn Suwancharoen