On July 19, Associate Professor Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, welcomed Associate Professor Tomohisa Uchida, a distinguished pathologist from the Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Japan. The meeting marked a significant step forward in fostering international academic partnerships.

Joined by Associate Professor Warachaya Phanphruk, Assistant Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, and Mrs. Duangkamol Srisawasdi, Head of the International Relations Office, the discussion delved into various opportunities for collaboration between the two esteemed institutions.

Associate Professor Uchida, who manages Oita University’s Bangkok office, plays a pivotal role in facilitating student exchanges and overseeing research collaborations. “I am delighted to explore opportunities to enhance our partnership with Khon Kaen University,” he remarked. He expressed gratitude for Khon Kaen University’s initiative to send medical students to Oita University, emphasizing that the existing MOU between the two universities would streamline the process of launching a student exchange program.

This year, Oita University’s Faculty of Medicine has already welcomed 10 students from Thailand: three from Siriraj Hospital, four from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mahasarakham University, and three from the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University. These students have been engaged in various basic medical fields, including immunology and physiology, enriching their academic experience and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

In an exciting development, Associate Professor Uchida announced that Khon Kaen University will send Dr. Thanatat Panitphong to observe Gastroenterological Surgery at Oita University in September. This initiative is expected to further strengthen the ties between the two institutions and provide valuable learning opportunities for Dr. Panitphong.

The meeting concluded on a high note, with both parties expressing optimism about the future of their collaboration. The potential for academic excellence and mutual growth through these partnerships promises to benefit students and faculty alike.