Seventeen (17) DLSU civil engineering students took part in the 10-day Chulalongkorn University Student Exchange Program 2016 from August 31 to September 9 accompanied by DLSU civil engineering professors, Dr. Mario De Leon and Engr. Marcus Kyle Baron. The purpose of the program was to strengthen the bond between De La Salle University and Chulalongkorn University (CU) by giving the exchange students a chance to experience the life in each other’s campus and culture.
NAIA International Airport
Terminal 1
The students visited the CU Civil Engineering Building
to meet with some of its faculty and students. An orientation regarding ASEAN Scholarships
was held to expose the students to their opportunity in pursuing higher
studies.
DLSU
Students in the orientation about the AUN/SEED-NET
Afterwards, a research forum was conducted wherein
selected DLSU exchange students as well as CU students presented their thesis.
In this event, the students were given a chance to communicate with the CU
students intellectually by asking questions to the presenters.
DLSU
exchange student, Marvin Aguilar, presenting his group’s thesis entitled “The
Effect of Lane Changing Behavior on the Approach Ramp of a Road Overpass”
The students were then toured around the civil
engineering laboratory facilities who were guided by some of the CU professors.
Their laboratory facilities were fully equipped and have a conducive learning
environment. Also, the students had the chance to see an experiment going on in
their laboratory for testing materials. The CU civil engineering professors who
accommodated the tour in their laboratory facilities were very kind and
encouraged the students to ask questions. The CU students then continued the
tour by guiding the group around the campus and by sharing some historical and
cultural facts along the way which involved the visit to their museum and to
the statue of King Chulalongkorn and King Vajiravudh. Before parting ways, the
group showed their gratitude to the CU professors and students by giving them
tokens.
DLSU Students with
Dr. Mario De Leon, Engr. Marcus Kyle Baron, and CU Civil Engineering Associate
Professor Dr. Akhrawat Lenwari in front of the CU Civil Engineering Building
DLSU Students with
Dr. Mario De Leon, Engr. Marcus Kyle Baron, Engr. Jem Jayme, Ms. Joy
Jongruamklang, and CU Students in front of the statue of King Chulalongkorn and
King Vajiravudh in Chulalongkorn University
Two days were allocated for visits to cultural sites
of Thailand in which the trip to these sites requires long rides by bus. One of
the cultural sites that the students visited was the Damnoen Saduak Floating
Market where they had a boat ride paddled by a Thai person or operated by a
motor. The boat ride travelled a small canal with stalls at the sides selling
different goods and merchandise for tourists. The students were also able to
ride an old train that travels the Burma Railway (Death Railway) which was
constructed by the Japanese during the World War II. On the second cultural visit
day, the students went to Bang Pa-In Royal Palace which were used by Thai kings
before, Wat Yai Chai Mongkon which is a Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya with a big
lying Buddha, and Ayutthaya Historical Park where the old city of Ayutthaya was
located which is now full of its ruins. Despite the long travel time, the
visits were worth it as the students were able to have a glimpse of Thai
history and culture. Afterwards, the students had their
lunch in a cruise ship which traveled the Chao Phraya River, the major river in
Thailand, for around 2 hours. As the cruise traveled the river, the students
saw some of their remarkable bridges wherein their culture can even be seen in
their design.
DLSU Students roaming around the Bang Pa-In Royal
Palace
The
students also had the chance to visit the ongoing construction of G Tower, a
G-shaped building that will stand next to The Super Tower, the tallest ASEAN skyscraper
that the G Land developer plans to build. Afterwards, the students went to
visit the ongoing construction of Bang Sue – Rangsit Railway which is part of
the planned Mass Transit System Project that will be beneficial and strategic
for Bangkok’s transportation system.
DLSU Students with Dr. Mario De Leon, Engr. Marcus
Kyle Baron, and CU graduate students with Dr.Vachara Peansupap and Project
Engineers in the construction site visit in Bang Sue - Rangsit Railway
The
remaining days were used as free days for the students to roam around Bangkok
and experience its modern lifestyle. They were lucky to have a chance to shop
for pasalubongs in Chatuchak, a big
market full of different kinds of merchandise which is open only during
weekends. They also went to Siam Square where shopping malls are located and to
night markets to eat different Thai foods.
The
exchange program gave the students the chance to experience Thai culture and to
meet some of the professors and students of Chulalongkorn University which is
helpful in strengthening the bond between the two universities.
Prepared by:
DLSU Student Exchange Visit 2016 Participants
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