Environmental Science & Technology
By Suwan Sonkprasha

Laxamee Levin

Environmental Science & Technology of the Association of Thai Professionals in America and Canada (ATPAC) is often called the ATPAC NY/ENVI TEAM. There are currently twenty-nine environmental team members who actively participate in ATPAC’s mission and objectives. This participation includes training, curriculum development, research, development and demonstrations. Counterparts in Thailand include public universities ands the Pollution Control Department.

The ATPAC Environmental Team took a proactive approach through contacting its counterparts in Thailand for any prospective projects. Last July an Environmental Management Consortium was held between ATPAC and the Ministry of University Affairs (MUA). A long-term collaborative effort and projects were identified. An environmental training program was outlined for fiscal years 1998 and 1999.

July 1-4, 1998 Khun Osoth Jamjun and Khun Nopadon Sundarabhaya will conduct a seminar entitled "Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Training" for the Prince of Songkla University (PSU) staff. The seminar is a collaborative effort among ATPAC, PSU and MUA.

July 6-8, 1998 Khun Suwan Sonkprasha and Mr. Michael Yoshinaga will conduct a seminar entitled "Effective Minimization and Management of Hazardous Waste/Materials in Universities and Research Centers". Mr. Yoshinaga is a guest speaker and is a health and safety coordinator for California State University Long Beach. The seminar is a collaborative effort between ATPAC and the Industry University Cooperative Research Center (sor-kor-wor).

Dr. Sumana and Professor Tim Keener of the University of Cincinnati Environmental Training Institute, Cincinnati will conduct a seminar entitled "Air Pollution Control and Monitoring" at Burapa University on July 13-15 and Chiangmai University on July 20-22, 1998. The Keeners have expertise in the areas of air pollution control and air quality management. The seminar is a collaborative effort between ATPAC and the universities, funded by MUA.

July 13-28, 1998 Dr. Vipawan Laiteerapong (Cindy Wong) will conduct an environmental chemistry seminar at Naresuan University. Dr. Vipawan directs the San Francisco Water Department Laboratory and stresses the importance of quality control and quality assurance programs in laboratories.

August 6-8, 1998 dr. Narong Na Nakorn of PSU will visit the Honolulu Community College to observe environmental training classes. PSU is looking to establish an in-service training and certification program on Occupational/ Environmental Health and Safety Management and hazardous Waste Operator Training. PSU is hoping that the program will get support from area industries and the private sector.

October 1998 Khun Osoth Jamjun and Khun Nopadon Sundarabhaya will conduct a weeklong training class on wastewater treatment during the International Training in Water and Wastewater treatment Technology and Management Conference. Khun Osoth is a senior superintendent for the Calumet Water Reclamation/Wastewater Plant in Chicago. The Calumet plant is one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the United States. Chaingmai University and PSU, supported by international organizations, are organizing the conference.

The center for Industrial and Environmental Training (CIET), Burapa University and Thailand Department of Health have attempted to partner with Dr. Chulaporn of ATPAC to set up a Geographic Information System (GIS) Application on Environmental Health Problem related to Rivers Derived Water Supply. The CIET and the Department of Health have procured funding to proceed with the project.