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Shaiwatna Kupratakul

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Shaiwatna Kupratakul
File:Shaikuptt.jpg
Shaiwatna Kupratakul in 2003
Born(1940-09-20)20 September 1940
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
NationalityThai

Shaiwatna Kupratakul is a Thai theoretical physicist. He is known by profession and contribution as a scientist, educator, writer, translator, columnist, science communicator, producer and host of radio and television programmes. His lifelong dedication is on science communication and the popularization of science through writing, radio and television media and public speaking. Kupratakul was nominated twice for UNESCO's Kalinga Prize by UNESCO Thailand in 1981 and 2004.[1]

Biography

Shaiwatna Kupratakul was born to Sheng Hiang, an herb doctor, and Siew Tiang, at Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on 20 September 1940. He received his primary education (Prathom 1-Prathom 6 during 1949–1953) at Tesbaln 1 (Boorapa Vidhakorn) School and secondary education (Mathayom 1-Mathayom 8 during 1953–1961) at Ratchasima Vidhyalai School, both in Nakhon Ratchasima. He attended Chulalongkorn University at the Faculty of Science for one and a half-year, during 1961–1962. In 1962, he won a Columbo Plan scholarship, from Australian Government, to study physics in Australia. He graduated with a BSc (Honours) in Physics, from Monash University, in 1966, and a PhD (Physics), also from Monash University, in 1970.

After returning from Australia in 1970, with a PhD in physics from Monash University, Shaiwatna Kupratakul has committed himself continuously as a lecturer, university administrator, educational development project committee or leader, writing of non-fiction and fiction works (especially on science) with the major aim of arming the people with wisdom to fight scientific ignorance and superstition. His most cherished memories were the meetings with Isaac Asimov (at New York in November 1977) and Arthur C. Clarke (at Columbo, Sri Lanka, in February 1980). Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke are two of the three people which Shaiwatna Kupratakul wishes most to meet personally, the third person is Einstein. Shaiwatna Kupratakul did visit Princeton, Einstein's last residence, in 1977. His science writing were insprired by Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Jules Verne, H.C. Wells and Juntri Siriboonrod (จันตรี ศิริบุญรอด); the last of which was proclaimed "Father of Thai Science Fiction.”

Shaiwatna Kupratakul started his career as a lecturer at Khon Kaen University in 1970, moved to Srinakharinwirot University (Prasarnmit) in 1982. He early-retired from Srinakharinwirot University in 1999 but continues to give special lectures and talks at several universities, schools and for the public, write articles and science fiction (both short science stories and science novels), host radio and television programmes, serve as committee members of several academic and national Councils.

Shaiwatna Kupratakul married Shusri Chulusthira in 1968, having a son (Juckrich) and a daughter (Chollada). He remarried Sansiri Chairat in 1999.

File:Shaikubtt2.jpg
Shaiwatna Kupratakul in 1997

Professional appointments and activities

  • Executive board member, National Research Council of Thailand, since 2003.[2]
  • Chairman, Physical Science and Mathematical Branch, the Office of the National Research Council of Thailand, since 2003.[3]
  • committee member, Academic University Council, Rajabhat University Nakhon Ratchasima, During 2005–2008.[4]
File:Shaikubtt3.jpg
Shaiwatna Kupratakul

Awards and prizes

File:Shaikubtt4.jpg
Shaiwatna Kupratakul 2009
  • Shaiwatna Kupatakul's works on science Communication, translation, science fact and fiction writings have received severed awards and prizes with some examples given as follows:-
  • Outstanding Science Communicator Award for the year 1995 from the Science Society of Thailand Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King.[5]
  • “Surintaraja” Award for the year 2009 from the Translators and Interpreters Association of Thailand (TIAT). An award for outstanding senior translator.[6]
  • The book “Immortal Life” (ชีวิตอมตะ), winner of two consolation prizes for non-fiction book for young readers, National Book Fair (Thailand) and The National Youth Bureau (Thailand), both in 1982.[7][8]
    • The book “Laser” (เลเซอร์) winner of a consolation prize for non-fiction book for young readers, National Book Fair (Thailand), 1986.[9]
    • The book “Amazing Space” (อวกาศมหัศจรรย์), winner of a consolation prize for illustrated book for children, National Book Fair (Thailand), 1997.[10]
    • The book “Project X” (โปรเจกต์เอกซ์), winner of a consolation prize for novel, National Book Fair (Thailand), 2003.[11]

Honours and recognition

Shaiwatna Kupatakuln has received severed national and international honours and recognition, some of which are as follow:

  • Outstanding alumnus (ศิษย์เก่าดีเด่น) of Ratchasima Vidhayalai School as proclaimed in 1997[12][13]
    • Outstanding alumnus (ศิษย์เก่าดีเด่น) of Tesabaln 1 (Boorapa Vidhayalai) School as proclaimed in 2005.[14]
  • Presenter Of a TV spot promoting Thailand National Science Week Events of the year 2000 broadcast on several television channels during the month of August 2000.

References

  1. ^ The Thai National Commission for UNESCO, Ministry of Education. (http://WWW.BIC.MOE.GO.TH)
  2. ^ http://WWW.NRCT.NET
  3. ^ IBID.
  4. ^ http://WWW.NRRU.AC.TH
  5. ^ The Science Society of Thailand Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King. (http://WWW.SCISOC.OR.TH)
  6. ^ THE TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETER ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND (http://WWW.THAITIAT.COM)
  7. ^ National Committee for Book Development, Ministry of Education, Thailand, 1982. (http://WWW.MOE.GO.TH)
  8. ^ THE NATIONAL YOUTH BUREAU, THAILAND (NYB)
  9. ^ National Committee for Book Development, Ministry of Education, Thailand 1986. (http://WWW.MOC.CO.TH)
  10. ^ IBID., 1997.
  11. ^ IBID., 2003.
  12. ^ Ratchasima Vidhayalai School, Nakhonratschsima, Thiland. (http://WWW.RAJSIMA.AC.TH)
  13. ^ http://TH.WIKIPEDIA.ORG. (โรงเรียนราชสีมาวิทยาลัย)
  14. ^ http://WWW.BRK.AC.TH (โรงเรียนเทศบาล 1(บูรพาวิทยากร))

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