Bangkok – Banpu Public Company Limited, a leading energy company in Asia, has announced its support to “ The Power Green Camp,” a new environmental science youth camp organized by the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University. The Power Green Camp focuses on encouraging and inspiring youngsters to improve their conceptual and problem-solving skills for environmental protection through real-life scientific experiments and activities. The 11th grade students from all over the country are encouraged to apply to join this camp to be organized on October 16-22, 2006 by sending an A4 one-page handwritten essay on the topic “Sufficient Life for Sustainable Energy”.

“The Power Green Camp” project has been initiated and developed by the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, with support from Banpu Public Company Limited, as an environmental science learning center for young people, providing hands-on practical experience through both theoretical learning and scientific activities. Students participating in the program will not only be encouraged to gain knowledge by conducting actual scientific experiments using high-technology equipment in real environmental science laboratories at Mahidol University, but will also go on escorted trips to observe the environment and valuable resource areas and meet with well-known environmental scientists. This reflects the concept of the camp: “Envi-Science Learning Through Actions.”

Associate Prof. Dr. Anuchat Poungsomlee, Dean of the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, said that integrated environmental science learning development for students is considered crucial for our world today. Although there are many similar programs open for students nowadays, these usually do not provide the experience of real experimentation that we wish to provide. The Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies has started “The Power Green Camp” project for the students who have environmental awareness and a science background with the aim of inspiring them to improve their conceptual and problem-solving skills.

These students will be encouraged to analyze and develop team projects before presenting them to the camp’s committee, environmental experts, and other camp members. The winning team with the best project will receive a prize.

“We believe that “The Power Green Camp” will be a base for generating future quality environmental preservation manpower in Thailand” and we would like to thank Banpu Public Company Limited for their support in the development of this program. This is a program that will be beneficial in enhancing future learning standards in environmental science in Thailand,” added Dr. Anuchat.

Mr. Chanin Vongkusolkit, Chief Executive Officer of Banpu Public Company Limited, said, “Banpu realizes the importance of enduring environmental protection and we are delighted to support “The Power Green Camp” project. We believe that young people should be influenced to develop consciousness of the need for environmental protection from an early age. According to our vision of simultaneously developing our business and improving the quality of community and environment, we believe that environmental science technology has become one of the best alternatives for sustainable environment development.”

“The Power Green Camp” is now open for students in 11th grade majoring in science and with a cumulative GPAX of over 2.75. Those qualified are invited to send an A4 one-page handwritten essay on the topic “Sufficient Life for Sustainable Energy” (This essay must not be copied from others or have received any previous awards). The Committee will select 70 candidates to join the camp, being held at the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Salaya, Nakornpathom, during the semester break from October 16-22, 2006. All documents, including the application form (which can be downloaded from http://www.en.mahidol.ac.th) need to be submitted to the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, 999 Phuttamonthon, Nakorn Pathom 73170, Tel: 02-441-5000 extension 119 or 127, or by email: enmst@mahidol.ac.th, before July 14, 2006. Applicants who have experience in environmental science and related competition projects or used to participate in environmental related activities, will be given a special consideration (Please attach relevant documentation or certificates).