The Exercise and Sport Sciences Program, Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, led by Prof. Dr. Kiatichai Faksri, Acting Dean of the Graduate School, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kurusart Konharn, PT, Chair of the Exercise and Sport Sciences Program, moves forward to develop the potential of master's and doctoral students in Exercise and Sport Sciences. An intensive 3-day seminar was organized, aiming to enhance research skills, human research ethics, and basic life support, while building an academic network with leading sports science institutions in the Northeast and fostering engagement with alumni, pushing the curriculum towards international standards and Global Benchmarks.
In “The Exercise and Sport Sciences Student Potential Enhancement and Development Seminar 2026” held between August 14–16, 2026, at Khon Kaen University, Mahasarakham University, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, and Thailand National Sports University, Mahasarakham Campus. With more than 40 faculty members, staff, Thai and international graduate students, and alumni participated to elevate research skills, international publication, and establish academic and research collaboration networks.
For the first day's activities, the focus was on strengthening the research process and safety in human research data collection, with Asst. Prof. Dr. Uraiwon Chatchawan, PT, representative of the Human Research Ethics Committee, Khon Kaen University, as the guest speaker. This was accompanied by knowledge-sharing activities between seniors and juniors to develop guidelines towards Best Practice Proposals and writing articles for publication in high-quality Q1 and Q2 journals. In addition, a hands-on workshop on Basic Life Support and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) was organized to prepare for emergencies during human research data collection, which is another crucial component in elevating the standards and safety of the program's research. The workshop was honored to have the rescue team from the Faculty of Medicine as speakers.
The second and third days expanded the learning space to the network of sports science educational institutions, welcomed by executives, faculty members, and students from 3 institutions: Mahasarakham University, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, Thailand National Sports University Mahasarakham Campus, and Khon Kaen University. They joined to exchange knowledge and discuss guidelines for sharing resources to develop research, teaching, and learning, as well as developing support systems for international students. On this occasion, participants also visited sports science laboratories and physical fitness testing centers related to teaching, learning, and research for sports and health excellence. This was accompanied by a Comparative Analysis activity to seek future collaboration guidelines, as well as relationship-building activities among faculty, students, and alumni, including welcoming performances, a retirement and senior faculty appreciation ceremony, learning about research tools and sports science technology to develop research entrepreneurship skills, and multicultural and Buddy activities between Thai and international students to promote English communication and cross-cultural learning.
On the final day, activities focused on learning and exchanging concepts in studying and conducting research through the real experiences of exemplary alumni under the topic “How to Study Successfully with Life Balance in Graduate Studies towards Q1 Journal Publication,” with alumni from various organizations sharing their experiences. This was followed by a certificate presentation and outstanding alumni recognition ceremony, and gathering feedback from stakeholders through a Panel Discussion on the topic “What the Real Job Market Wants” to use the data to guide the development of the curriculum towards becoming a model curriculum and to analyze for creating a Global Benchmark.
The organization of this project reflects the approach of the Exercise and Sport Sciences Program in developing students to possess knowledge, research skills, operational safety, professional experience, and collaborative networks, ready to support changes in the exercise and sports industry driven by technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
On this occasion, we would like to express our gratitude to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raoyrin Chanavirut, PT, Project Chair, Ms. Peerada Sawatsala, Project Organizing Chair, faculty members, staff, alumni, students, and all participants who joined hands to make this event a great success.
News: Kurusart Konharn
Translation: Suchawalee Nitipot
Photos: Suchawalee Nitipot / Peerada Sawadsala / Homhual Nathamphech
