A dynamic force for the Asia-Pacific region

A multi-campus university, PSU actively promotes unique educational and research opportunities and addresses technological needs. Our research ranges from AIDS and DNA issues to large-scale watershed management studies. PSU's research, often performed collaboratively with foreign institutions (for example, Australian and American), always seeks to create and implement solutions to problems of both local and global concern. Additionally, we conduct community-action research to improve agrarian and urban systems.

The preservation and sustainable management of tropical natural resources occupies a substantial portion of our Faculties of Natural Resources, Science, Environmental Management, Science and Technology as well as our Office of Research and Development and our Coastal Resources Institute. These work to understand, preserve and responsibly manage tropical ecosystems, the world's greatest sources of biodiversity.

• PSU conducts numerous research projects focusing on our coastal and wetland ecosystems. Studies on the Songkhla Lake Basin have ranged from those concerning ecology to the sustainability of artesanal fisheries. Remote sensing and GIS have been used to develop sound land-use plans for this area. We also conduct research to determine the ecological impact of mangrove and other habitats.

• Our research into aquaculture and fisheries has resulted in enhanced sustainability, better waste control and land reclamation programs, as well as increased knowledge concerning reproductive activities and diseases which affect marine animals.

• Tropical terrestrial ecosystems, the region's watersheds, terrain, flood plains and soil resources are widely researched to promote economically and environmentally sound agricultural systems.

• PSU's extensive research on goats has translated to increased production capabilities including several cross-breeding and artificial insemination programs. Modelling studies have also been conducted to improve village goat production.

• PSU is also actively researching biologically active natural products and the biochemistry and biotechnology of tropical natural resources. Tropical fruits are also extensively researched.

  Frequently, PSU research is in response to key regional industries like palm oil, rubber and seafood technology.

• Our extensive rubber and oil palm research has resulted in new or improved processes and products, as well as the use of genetic engineering and other biochemical and biotechnological techniques. Some of the research has received international acclaim, using marker enzymes to evaluate potential rubber production for example. Our oil palm research includes studies aimed to obtain basic data on raw materials, processing procedures, products, wastes and their utilization to address efficiency and waste control problems.

• PSU helps seafood processors to develop better products and implement quality control standards. Various studies on freezing and vacuum packaging methods for seafood have led to processes that enhance consumer acceptability and extend shelf-life. Other research has been conducted to develop value-added products from such items as small or broken shrimp.

• Additionally, our Faculties of Engineering and Science are improving various high-tech materials and processes with research into energy conservation, communications technology, plasma technology and superconducting materials.

  With a comprehensive teaching hospital and dental clinic, PSU's Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nursing have initiated biomedical engineering projects and many action-oriented research and educational outreach programs designed to upgrade the health of the people and quality of life in our region.

• In 1987, PSU established a thalassemia prenatal diagnosis laboratory based on DNA techniques. We are now collaborating with Thai and Japanese institutions on a community-based project to prevent and control this genetic disorder which puts 50,000 pregnancies at risk yearly.

• Our AIDS project team seeks to understand the actions and attitudes of various socio-economic groups to conduct effective public awareness and counseling programs.

• Technological inventions include the PSU Video-Cine Adaptor to use with operating microscopes and a Muscle Stimulator for corrective surgical use. Research is being conducted to develop an electro-swallography device and a sequential stimulator for use on dysphagic patients.

• Our Faculty of Dentistry is collaborating with Danish institutions to establish three pilot centers to improve delivery of rural oral health services, emphasizing prevention.

• PSU collects, cultivates and researches tropical plants for potential medical applications.

With five educational sites and facilities, PSU provides a variety of environments for research and support systems.

But PSU is not only science-oriented. Our Faculties of Management Sciences, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Office of Extension and Continuing Education, College of Islamic Studies and Institute of Art and Culture all participate in action-oriented research and community-development projects, such as outreach programs for small businesses and research on tourism and export industries and promoting home food industries and Thai language studies for Muslim villages. PSU is active in the translation of historical epics, pilot programs for women in development, Islam-based family care programs and even the excavation of ancient archeological sites.

PSU - a dynamic force devoting its resources to the sound development of the world's most dynamic growth region.

For further information, contact:

        President
        Prince of Songkla University
        P.O. Box 102
        Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110
        Thailand
        Fax: +66 74 212-828

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