Written by Chutipattana P. 60070175

Edited on 13 November, 2018

 

King’s Mongkut Institute of Technology Lardkrabang (KMITL) is a well-known public university located in Lardkrabang, Bangkok. There are many faculties and colleges, including the Faculty of Information Technology. More than thousands of people studied at the Faculty of IT to pursue their degrees. There are many reasons why freshmen in 2018 decided to study at the Faculty of IT. By interviewing  twelve freshmen selected randomly, some surprising results have been revealed in the study.

Found in 1994, the Faculty of Information Technology currently provides Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and Doctoral degree. There are three undergraduate majors: Information Technology (IT), Data Science and Business Analytics (DSBA) and Business Information Technology (BIT, an international program).

Information Technology is the oldest major at the faculty. It focuses on building strong fundamental Information Technology skills and deep insights in their chosen specialization. According to the latest curriculum, every Information Technology student will choose their specialization when they are in the first semester of their second year of study. There are three options: Network and System Technology (Network), Software Engineering (SoftEn) and Multimedia and Game Development (Multi). In the following semesters, their classes will be more specialized relating to the chosen field.

Data Science and Business Analytics (DSBA) and Business Information Technology (BIT) have just been opened recently. DSBA focuses on Data analytics and Business.

For BIT, an international program, all courses are taught in English. It has a small amount of students per class to support learning needs of individual students and create a dynamic learning environment. The program focuses more on business knowledge and English skills.

At the faculty, there are plenty of various technological facilities, e.g. IT Laboratories, Computer rooms, e-learning, etc. The Facilities are used to foster academic and professional development.

From the interviews, only half of the students decided to choose IT as their first priority. The others who wanted to study something else in college, somehow,  eventually made a decision to study at this faculty.

“I have always been interested in computers and this faculty at KMITL is quite famous in this field. I once went to ToBeIT event at the faculty. I felt like this place is right for me after seeing the classrooms and facilities. The IT college students I met were nice and I could feel that they welcomed me with warmth,” said Naruebes Lueangrungudom, a freshman IT student majoring in Information Technology. He also explained that both of his parents supported his college decision. They wish for their son to study what he wants so he would be happy.

Before enrolling at the faculty, about half of the interviewees wanted to study somewhere else. They explained that IT was out of their interests but they eventually chose this place. However, after studying IT for almost two months, they find it interesting and fun.

“I never imagined myself studying here because I graduated from a science-math program and I expected myself to go for Health Science studies such as Pharmacy. However, I found myself enjoying IT and I don’t regret choosing this place,” said Pakaporn Rattanasethyuth, a first year IT student majoring in Information Technology. She added that she was lucky enough that her parents let her choose her educational path.

Where and what the freshmen wanted to study at first before they enrolled for IT are diverse. Some students wanted to study at other universities such as Mae Fah Luang University, Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, Burapha University and others. A few students wanted to go to IT-related faculties such as Software Engineering at The International College of KMITL. Some were hesitant  because they had more than one choice in mind.

In the past, it was common in Thailand that parents had significant impact on their children’s decision especially for education. Contrastly, most of the students said they were able to choose what they desire for. Their parents support them and give them advice when necessary. This is a good sign that Thai culture has changed and Thai parents give more freedom to their children.

In conclusion, the study showed that the number of students who wanted to study IT at first and the number of students who wanted to study something else was approximately equal. Students who are interested in Technology and coding take IT at KMITL as their very first choice.  Those who had no interest in IT, later,  discovered their deep interests in it. Most students are fascinated by classes they are taking. They are getting new experiences and are happy with their college life academically and socially.

Written by Chutipattana, P. 60070175

Edited on 13th November, 2018

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From the 13th to 14th of September, 2018, all of my classmates and I went on a field trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by plane. It was a two-day trip. There were 16 of us including IT professors, postgraduate students and academic support staff. We were there to have a meeting with professors and students from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology at the University of Malaya. The main purpose of the Faculty of Information Technology at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Lardkrabang (KMITL) was to do collaboration with the University of Malaya. The University of Malaya is ranked the best university in Malaysia. The IT faculty supported all students’ expenses including round trip airline tickets, hotel rooms, transportation fees, 3 main meals and drinks each day. On the last day, they gave 25 Ringgits to buy ourselves dinner, apart from dinner on the airplane.

 

The flight was at 8.35 in the morning. My friends and I decided to meet at the faculty at 4.30 so we could drive to Don Mueang International Airport together. One of my friends’ parents drove us to the airport. We were in a bit hurry because we were late. I was super excited the day before the trip and I had a bad habit that I usually start packing only a few hours before the trip. Even for my trip to America for one year, I started packing the night before my flight.

On the night before the Kuala Lumpur trip, I went to bed at two and woke up at 4.30, the time I was supposed to show up at the Faculty building, when my friends tried to call me. I ran to the bathroom and made myself ready at 5. One of my close friends who lives just upstairs at the condominium where I live drove me and the other girl who went on this trip to the faculty building. We arrived at the airport at 6 and I walked straight to the currency exchange store. I was asking myself how much money I would need for this two-day trip. I ended up exchanging cash for only 500 Baht which I got 60 Ringgits back. It was the first time in my life I was going to spend a very small amount of money abroad. I wondered if I could handle this.

When everybody came to the airport, we walked through the security and stopped by at Duty Free shops. There was so many attractive goods such as chocolate and cosmetics. I bravely walked pass all of those temptations without spending any money. For a while, we sat on the chairs waiting for the gate to open. Then, everyone got on the plane and I sat in the middle, on the left side of the plane. I was too tired due to lack of sleep. I napped the whole two-hour flight.

When we arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, I bought a sim card for 30 Ringgits. We walked through the Customs, met a tour guide and got on a bus. The bus is really cute. It is painted with sky blue color and has many Pokemon cartoon characters on both sides and at the back of the bus. I had lunch at a Chinese restaurant. It was two in the afternoon when we dined so there was only us in the big dining room.

After lunch, we visited Istana Negara, the Malaysian National Palace. We stopped by and took some pictures from the outside of the palace. The palace is spacious and very beautiful even though we could not get inside. Then, we visited the Cocoa Boutique. It is claimed to be the biggest chocolate factory in Malaysia. When I walked into the factory’s souvenir shop, I could smell the strong fragrance of chocolate all over the place. The chocolate seller gave me many pieces of different chocolate flavors. One of the sellers standing in the center of the shop explained to us that their chocolates are so special and they could not be broken. Nonetheless, I did not spend a sen at the chocolate shop.

After that, we moved on to Medaka Square. The Medaka square is considered as a Malaysian Independence Square. It could be compared to Thai royal turf or Sanam Luang. It took 20 minutes from the Square to the Petronas Towers. My friends and I were amazed by the two fascinating towers in front of us. There is a long horizontal tube in the middle of the two buildings. The tubes connect between the two towers making them even more attractive. We took some pictures at the towers. Then, we had two hours to walk around. My friends and I decided to walk into the Towers. Inside the giant tower is a shopping mall. I only walked around the first and the second floor because I was tired from a long journey. I bought a milk tea from a famous Hong Kong-style milk tea store named Kong Cha for 6 Ringgits. The tea was so great. The tapioca pearls in a long plastic container were delicious, the most delicious tapioca pearls I have ever had in my life. I spent the rest half an hour enjoying my drink on a seat near the glass elevator inside the mall. Later, we left the towers and had dinner. We headed to the hotel right after dinner. I took a shower and went to one of my friends’ room and we played many games until midnight.

I got up early the next day, took a shower, had light breakfast and got on the bus to the University of Malaya. We had a meeting with the professors from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology until 3 in the afternoon. I met quite a few college students there. They showed me their IT projects they are doing and I was so inspired and excited to start my own when I am a senior. Later, we went to another town called Putrajaya, the new capital city of Malaysia. It was raining, and I walked into one building that has restaurants inside. I ordered fried rice and a cone of soft ice cream for 6 Ringgits each. We left the town after spending an hour there doing nothing much due to the light rain. The bus took us to the airport. I walked into the check-in counter, had my baggage loaded and walked around the Duty-Free shops. I got a box of matcha chocolate for 30 Ringgits. That was all the Malaysian cash I had left. We had about an hour before the gate opened. My friends and I decided to have dinner at McDonald’s.

When we were in the front of the security line before getting into the gates, we found that our gate was the last one at the very end of the building. We decided to walk very fast because the Airport building is so huge that it took us for more than an hour to walk in the Duty-Free shops. We arrived at the gate but it was still closed. Actually, we were in a hurry for nothing. The gate was opened 20 minutes late. I got on the airplane and had steamed chicken with rice. The plane landed at Don Mueang International Airport at 10 in the evening. I waved goodbye to the professors and staff at the airport before running to the auto-door of the airport and  to one of my friends’ car. Her mother picked all 5 of us up and drove us home. It was midnight when I arrived at my condo. I took a quick shower and went to bed right after.

The only thing I can say about this trip is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! It was such a great opportunity to go abroad, learn new cultures and learn about IT studies in Malaysia. I got to spend more time with my classmates and we became even closer friends. The trip was marvelous, and Malaysia has many things to explore. I would love to go back there again soon. If possible, I might even consider studying in Malaysia for my master’s degree. And, this would not have happened without financial helps from the Faculty of IT, KMITL.

Written by Chutipattana, P.

60070175

On 21 September, 2018

King’s Mongkut Institute of Technology Lardkrabang or KMITL is a well-known public university located in Lardkrabang, Bangkok. There are many faculties and colleges, including The Faculty of Information Technology. More than thousands of people studied at the Faculty of IT to pursue their degrees. There are many reasons why freshmen in 2018 decided to study at the Faculty of IT. By interviewing  twelve freshmen selected randomly, some surprising results have been revealed in the study.

Found in 1994, the Faculty of Information Technology currently provides Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and Doctoral degree. There are three undergraduate majors: Information Technology (IT), Data Science and Business Analytics (DSBA) and Business Information Technology (BIT, an international program).

Information Technology is the oldest major at the faculty. It focuses on building strong fundamental Information Technology knowledge and deep knowledge of their chosen specialization. According to the latest curriculum, every Information Technology student will choose their specialization when they are in the first semester of their second year of study. There are three options: Network and System Technology (Network), Software Engineering (SoftEn) and Multimedia and Game Development (Multi). In the following semesters, their classes will be more specialised relating to the chosen field.

Data Science and Business Analytics (DSBA) and Business Information Technology (BIT) have just opened recently. DSBA focuses on Data analytics and Business.

For BIT, an international program, all courses are taught in English. It has a small amount of students per class  to support learning needs of individual student and create a dynamic learning environment. The program focuses more on business knowledge and English skills.

At the faculty, there are plenty of various technological facilities, e.g. IT Laboratories, Computer rooms, e-learning, to foster academic and professional development.

From the interviews, only half of the students decided to choose IT as their first priority. The others who wanted to study something else in college, somehow,  eventually made a decision to study at this faculty.

“I have always been interested in computers and this faculty at KMITL is quite famous in this field. I once went to ToBeIT event at the faculty. I felt like this place is right for me after seeing the classrooms and facilities. The IT college students I met were nice and I could feel that they welcomed me with warmth,” said Naruebes Lueangrungudom, a freshman IT student majoring in Information Technology. He also explained that both of his parents supported his college decision. They wish for their son to study what he wants so he would be happy.  

Before enrolling at the faculty, about half of the sample wanted to study somewhere else. They explained that IT was out of their interests but they eventually chose this place. However, after studying IT for almost two months, they find it interesting and fun.

“I never imagined myself studying here because I graduated from a science-math program and I expected myself to go for Health Science studies such as Pharmacy. However, I found myself enjoying IT and I don’t regret choosing this place,” said Pakaporn Rattanasethyuth, a first year IT student majoring in Information Technology. She added that she was lucky enough that her parents let her choose her educational path.

What freshmen wanted to study at first before they enrolled for IT are diverse. Some students wanted to study at other universities such as Mae Fah Luang University, Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, Burapha University and so on. A few students wanted to go to IT-related faculties such as Software Engineering at The International College of KMITL. Some were hesitant  because they had more than one choice in mind.

In the past, it was common in Thailand that parents had significant impact on their children’s decision especially education. In Contrast, most of the students said they were able to choose what they desire for. Their parents support them and give them advice when necessary. This is a good sign that Thai culture has changed and Thai parents give more freedom to their children.

In conclusion, the study showed that the number of students who wanted to study IT at first and the number of students who wanted to study something else was approximately equal. Students who are interested in Technology and coding take IT at KMITL as their very first choice.  Those who had no interest in IT, later, discovered their deep interests in it. Most students are fascinated by classes they are taking. They are getting new experiences and are happy with their college life academically and socially.

By Pathompong Subtechitmanee

Two third-year-college students shared their experiences about their first impression, what companies in real world look like, and what they gained from their internship.

I, Pathompong Subtechitmanee was asking Napasin Hongngern and Pornprom Kiawjak, the third-year students from the Faculty of Information Technology, some questions about their internship experiences.

Above picture is Pornprom

Above picture is Napasin

Pathompong: Please describe your first impression when you entered your internship.

Napasin: The atmosphere was good. The workplace seemed like a factory but comfortable.

Pornprom: I have got none of impression because I was assigned to do something that I will not do in the future.

Pathompong: What was the company where you were working for?

Napasin: It was the company that provides services about network installation.

Pornprom: It was the company about Machine Vision and the retailer of equipment on that side(Machine Vision).

Pathompong: What was your role in this company?

Napasin: Calibrating and fixing config file in routers.

Pornprom: I worked as a developer.

Pathompong: Did you know someone there before?

Napasin:  I knew a senior who invited me to sign-up for this company.

Pornprom: I knew no one.

Pathompong: Why did you chose this company?

Napasin: It matched with my interest.

Pornprom: Personal reason.

Pathompong: Please describe the environment in your workplace.

Napasin: We worked in a team of 6-8 people which had engineers and administrators. Our duties for each project were divided, and we sat at the same big table.

Pornprom: The department that I worked did not have a big role in the company because it was just a start-up, so I am not sure about the environment there.

Pathompong: What did you gain from this internship?

Napasin: Socializing, patience, problem-solving skills.

Pornprom: It made me realize that a company that just started to develop softwares is difficult if it does not really have commitment.

Pathompong: Did the internship improve your skills and knowledge?

Napasin: Just a little but it made me feel growing up. Also, I gained knowledge about adaptive programming for reducing time when working.

Pornprom: I have got a little bit of knowledge about front-end developing in IOS application.

One of the benefits for IT students is you will surely get some experiences and knowledge from doing internship. In addition, you will also get some new friends and relationships too. Each company may have different atmospheres and working style. Having a connection with someone in the company will help you apply for internship more easily and you can get some support and advice while working. So, you should prepare to make some connections with other people and also choose a company that you will do internship wisely. Research the work place environment and what the company does by visiting its website or talking to someone who work at that company. Also, make sure that it matches with your interest.