Congratulating top achievers, commemorating four years of hard work, honoring consistent performers, reminiscing about the past, and looking ahead to the future were the hallmarks of a day of festivities, celebrations, and pageantry at the first BAScii Celebration Day 2023 organized on June 10, 2023 at Sala Prakeaw, Chulalongkorn University.

Four years after the pioneering batch of students entered the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation to pursue their Bachelor of Arts and Science in Integrated Innovation (BAScii) degree, this was a day for celebrations, and the School responded by hosting festivities under the theme \"The Future is Now,\" making it clear what the first graduating batch represents.

\"Four years ago, we were pondering the question: With a new world dawning, how can we ensure a seamless journey into the future?,\" Chulalongkorn University President Professor Bundhit Eua-arporn reminisced as he traced the genesis of how the foundation for future graduates was laid by the establishment of a new school, the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation, and the launch of its BAScii program. “The program is truly unique,” Prof. Bundhit remarked as he listed its defining characteristics: integrated education, diverse curriculum, hands-on learning, cutting-edge specializations, academic excellence, the intertwining of commercial and social aspects, and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. “Four years later, the school has proactively addressed a host of emerging challenges. Happy with its accomplishments, the Chulalongkorn University Council has announced that the school will now enjoy the status of a full-fledged faculty,” Prof. Bundhit added.

\"Our BAScii program was conceived as a radical response to the shifting paradigms of our era, and it charted a bold course, navigating the unexplored waters of academic innovation,\" revealed Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Executive Director of the School. \"Today, we gather to celebrate a series of significant milestones,\" he added as he enumerated the School\'s achievements. The School now enjoys the status of a full-fledged faculty within Chulalongkorn University. It is also unveiling its school colors: \"golden brown,\" a harmonious blend of gold and brown that symbolizes the confluence of prosperity and nature. The School has now finalized a brand refresh with the coining of a new acronym CSII, which stands for Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation. It is also celebrating the achievements of its 74 graduates, who have so far launched four startup companies and are in the process of launching four more. Furthermore, CSII students have already won prizes at 128 pitching competitions. Today, we also honor students with the Best Capstone Awards, the Executive Director\'s List Awards, and the CSII Ambassador Awards,\" Prof. Worsak added.

\"Today is indeed a day of celebration, a testament to our journey and the fruits of our collective efforts,\" Prof. Worsak declared, adding that as we humbly cherish today\'s achievements, we look ahead to a future rich with potential as we venture further along our pioneering path.

The celebratory note sounded by Prof. Bundhit and Prof. Worsak was exemplified by the awarding of the Best Capstone Awards. Napat Sienglue of S.O.Pet won First Prize, followed by Paemika Jomsiriwattana of M.AF.I.A. and Phobpakorn Nanthamanop of Brain for Green Buoy – three projects that made waves both within and outside the School. The three winners also led a panel discussion in which they highlighted their journey of innovative project experiences.

Next was the Executive Director\'s List, with students from each of the four BAScii batches being honored with inclusion in the prestigious list. While final-year students were selected based on their capstone projects, winners from the first three years were chosen based on their academic performance.

Among fourth-year students, Napat Sienglue, Pusin Puriwatthanapong, and Paemika Jomsiriwattana topped the list, followed by Phobpakorn Nanthamano and Kophong Ruangwattanakul. Third-year students who made it onto the Executive Director\'s List are Gaysornthip Manajira, Gene Koshpasharin, Jenjira Kitwakin, Yanin Gasemsin, Yanisa Iamjarern, Thanyanan Vivattanaprasert, Napasorn Lertmeemongkhonchai, Pemika Boontaveekit, Pongsatorn Pichayakorn, Pasit Kongkathip, Pawarun Kangvanwanich, Sirada Boonsitanon, Sivaratn Wongcharoensin, Sorawich Vachirathanusorn, Siriprapakorn Sanworanart, Sukkasem Thanarungrak, and Akaranan Suppipat. Second-year recipients are Keeratiya Lekchaoom, Chaianun Uaramnueyporn, Panipark Suwannakij, Vorapon Kachapornkul, Chinnakrit Aroontheerapoj, Phimraphat Soonjun, Natnicha Chunhachai, Nitcha Kulvanich, Panchaya Kittiratanawiwat, and Donlaya Suhatthaporn. Finally, first-year awardees are Tachanon Sujjapong, Li Ling Chan, Nutpatchaporn Thippayajindakul, William O\'Connell, Neen Rungsmaithong, Pinchanok Piyavongwanich, Parima Praditvongsin, Ramida Tingthanathikul, Chatchon Jirawanstit, and Niti Nititham.

No celebration in a university is complete without student performances, and it was time for BAScii students to regale the audience with their talent. A trio band, \"Sahm Nhor Prajonpai,\" performed with Tanyaporn Kijrungviroj, Tham Thammanoonkul, and Athipu Sawasdeepon showcasing their musical gifts. A solo performance by singer Sala Wiangkao followed.

Narrating \"The BAScii Story\" in the form of a video were six shortlisted teams, with students artfully presenting their four-year journey in the School. Three teams received honors: Pusin Puriwatthanapong and Paemika Jomsiriwattana, Prim Hutchesson and Voraporn Thirapatarapong, and Chawin Viriyasopon, Napat Sienglue, and Jiratchaya Nimitpanya. Awarding the prizes was Prof. Kaywalee Chatdarong, Chulalongkorn Vice President for Strategic Planning, Innovation, and Global Engagement.

Each BAScii student is required to spend a semester abroad at an international university, and narrating their experiences were Napatsakorn Sae-heng (Kyushu University, Japan), Thanathep Preedawiphat (UC Berkeley and National University of Singapore), Jidapa Jiajirakul (University of the Arts London), Chosiya Losuwonkul (Kyushu University, Japan, and University of Turku, Finland), and Pannathorn Hanmatheekuna (University of Melbourne).

Encouraging students to participate in co-curricular activities, exhibit leadership and social responsibility, and represent the School at prominent forums is a highlight of the BAScii experience. Students who excel at these activities are honored with BAScii Ambassador awards. Awardees are selected from four categories: Community Service, Innovation, Leadership, and Sports and Hobbies. Chawisa Charoensiri, Pusadee Prasertwit, and Atamfon Udofia won the award in the community service category, while Chawin Viriyasopon, Benedict Boisclair, Ramita Kanawaree, Suwapat Kongchan, Pawares Thewahasakulthong, Unna Harncharnchai, and Tanyaporn Uaprasertjit won in the innovation category. Winners in the leadership category were Nattaporn Trithepchulyakul, Vorapon Kachapornkul, and Kawinna Chinprasithchai, while Chinnakrit Aroontheerapoj and Panitpicha Anonglekha won in the Sports and Hobbies category.

As the event unfolded, an interlude beckoned. This consisted of a flashback into the past when the pioneering batch of students embarked on this transformative odyssey. Each student was asked to pen a thought about their future, which was then encapsulated, only to be opened four years later. As the time capsule was unfurled and students claimed their personalized capsules, they reminisced about what they had written, but many were also surprised at the swiftness at which time had slipped. The journey that commenced with those humble notes was now drawing to a poignant close. 

As the School\'s Executive Director often says, \"We are now entering an era of lifelong learning.\" The degree may be completed, but the journey of lifelong learning has just begun!

The Photogallery from the event is available for download at these links

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUBAScii/posts/pfbid02eBdZp4dtzdYcRBytmSGpFXpz2MCo4BVdye77R3JTmCh5DU9BZANci7Mk6yC2wg2Al
• Google Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PX7MKghPy9RnaP9U7