Shimane University visited Khon Kaen University

Professor Junji Suzumiya, Department Oncology-Hematology, Shimane University, Japan and other delegates visited Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University between 9 –13 February 2020 to give special lectures on pathology, adult and pediatric hematology, and pharmacology.

Associate Professor Supat Sinawat, Associate Dean for International Relations and Cooperation Strategies and Professor Yukifumi Nawa, Invited Professor and Consultant,
Tropical Diseases Research Centre welcomed and discussed with them about ongoing research collaboration and staff exchange program in pediatric hematology between the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University and Shimane University.

 

Delegates included:

  1. Professor Junji Suzumiya, Shimane University Hospital, Department Oncology-Hematology
  2. Professor Kazuo Oshimi, Kushiro Central Hospital
  3. Professor Takeshi Taketani, Department of Pediatrics, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine
  4. Dr. Ayako Muramatsu, Department of Hematology, Japan Red Cross, Kyoto Daiichi Hospital
  5. Dr. Chihiro Matama, Department of Pediatrics, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine
  6. Dr. Rika Kan, Shimane University Hospital, Department Oncology-Hematology
  7. Dr. Rikako Okamura, Department of Pediatrics, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine
  8. Dr. Sarasa Tahara, Department of Pediatrics, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine
  9. Dr. Toru Hayashi, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Breastopia Miyazaki Hospital

 

 

Reported by: Natakon Naowarojna, International Relations Officer

 

A Collaborative Project with Chulabhorn Royal Academy

 

On January 29, 2020, the agreement signing ceremony of the collaborative research project between Chulabhorn Royal Academy and Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University was held at Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University in order to research cancer treatment with heavy-particle and create treatment center. The agreement was signed by Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, Director, Srinagarind Hospital and Professor Bowornsilp Chowchuen, Vice Principal HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy.

On this occasion, Mr. Somsak Jangtrakul, Khon Kaen Province Governor; Associate Professor Songsak Kiatchoosakun, Acting Dean for the Faculty of Medicine; and Mrs. Duangporn Srijorn, Senior Honorary Consultant for Protocol, Culture, and International Relations were presented as the witness for the ceremony.  The collaborative research project was aimed to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost for treatment as well as to increase the human resource quality.

 

 

 

 

Reported by: Natakon Naowarojna, International Relations Officer

 

Negotiation for Cooperation in Emergency Medicine with University of Tsukuba and JICA, Japan

 

The delegates from University of Tsukuba and JICA, Japan visited the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University on January 17, 2020 in order to discuss about research collaboration and training program in emergency medicine for Laotian doctors and medical staff. The delegates included Mr. Akio Endo, Deputy Director, Partnership Program Division, JICA Tsukuba Center;  Dr. Takaaki Suzuki, Deputy Chief, International Medical Center, University of Tsukuba; Professor Ichikawa Masao, Department of Global Public Health, University of Tsukuba; and Professor Junji Nishida, President, Japan Research Institute for Social System.

In this occasion, Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, Director of the Srinagarind Hospital, Associate Professor Supat Sinawat, Associate Dean for International Relations and Cooperation Strategies; Dr. Pariwat Phungoen, Deputy Head, Department of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Kamonwon Ienghong, Department of Emergency Medicine; and Dr. Korakot Apiratwarakul, Department of Emergency Medicine, welcomed the delegates and joined the discussion.  During the discussion, Mr. Akio Endo presented the information of JICA partnership program and the Make SAFER project. The University of Tsukuba in cooperation with JICA aimed to send the Laos doctors and medical personal to be trained at the Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University in order to develop emergency medical care in Lao PDR

 

 

Reported by: Natakon Naowarojna, International Relations Officer

 

International Conference Regarding the Use of Cannabis for Medical Purpose

 

The Faculty of Medicine together with Palliative Care Center, Srinagarind Hospital, had held International Conference on “How to Set up Medical Cannabis Clinic within Supportive and Palliative Care Centers and Cannabis in Oncology and Palliative Care” at Science Museum Park, Khon Kaen.

Thailand had just released the bill that allows cannabis to be use for medical purpose together with Thai health department have issued a suggestion that every hospital should have a clinic that takes care of cannabis case. But soon, there is a shortage of human resources with enough knowledge to operate this clinic.

For this reason, Khon Kaen University and Srinagarind Hospital had to cooperate with Sante Cannabis and McGill University, Canada, to set up this international conference and invite nearby hospital personal to join.  Associate Professor Antonio Vigano, Department of Oncology and Medicine and Ms. Virginie Bacis, Nurse Coordinator Medical Cannabis Program, McGill University Health Centre, Canada who were well-known experts on medical cannabis were the speakers of the conference. Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University had presided over the opening ceremony and delivered a special lecture on KKU cannabis policy. The conference was a success with over 300 participants from various health organizations.

In addition, McGill University and Khon Kaen University agreed to work together in research projects and cannabis clinic establishment. Professor Srivieng Pairojkul, Head, Palliative Care Center, Srinagarind Hospital; Professor Pewpan Maleewong, Assistant to the President for Research and Academic Services and Professor Thidarut Boonmars, Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise were the main coordinator in developing academic and research collaboration with McGill University.

 

 

Reported by: Natakon Naowarojna, International Relations Officer

 

MOU Signing Ceremony with Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Japan

 

On December 18, 2019, Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Associate Dean for Hospital Affairs and Director, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University welcomed Professor Makoto Michikawa, MD, PhD, Dean, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Chairman of Department of Biochemistry, Nagoya City University, Japan and his colleagues: Professor Hideki Murakami, MD, PhD, Chairman of Orthopedics Surgery; and Dr. Masahiro Nozaki, MD, PhD, Department of Orthopedics Surgery, to the MOU Signing Ceremony between Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Japan and Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University at Blood Bank’s Meeting Room, 8th Floor, Galyani Vadhana Memorial Building, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

We would like to express our appreciation to coordinators of this linkage program, namely Associate Professor Supat Sinawat, MD, Associate Dean for International Relations and Cooperation Strategies; Associate Professor Winai Sirichativapee, Head, Department of Orthopedics; Associate Professor Poonsri Rangseekhajee, Head, Department of Psychiatry; Professor Yuichi Kasai, Visiting Professor; and staff of Department of Orthopedics: Associate Professor Taweechoke Wisanuyotin; Associate Professor Surachai Sae-jung; Associate Professor Kriangkrai Wittayapairoj; Dr. Permsak Paholpak; included a staff Department of Psychiatry Dr. Pongsatorn Paholpak, MD.

 

Khon Kaen University President and team visit Aichi Medical University, Japan

 

On Tuesday, 10 December 2019, Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, Acting President of Khon Kaen University and Associate Professor Patorn Piromchai, Assistant Dean for International Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University visited Aichi Medical University, Japan.

They met Professor Keiji SATO, President of Aichi Medical University, Prof. Akihiko WAKATSUKI, Dean of School of Medicine, Prof. Hiroyuki ISHIBASHI, Head, Academic Affairs Department and Prof. Hideto WATANABE, Director, Center for International Affairs to discuss the student exchange program with credit transfer system between Aichi Medical University and Khon Kaen University.

During the meeting at Aichi Medical University, Associate Professor Patorn Piromchai presented the information of exchange program at the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University and discussed with the students who were interested to visit Khon Kaen University.

Aichi Medical University and Khon Kaen University agreed to sign an MOU and have been working together as an academic partnership since 2011. The development of a student exchange program between the two institutions has been reciprocal and highly successful. Since 2011, there were over 80 students from two universities attending the student exchange program.

In March 2020, Aichi Medical University will send the first group of 10 medical students to be the credit transfer students for one month at Khon Kaen University.

 

KKU President was invited as a speaker in the 34th Congress of Japan Association for International Health, Japan

 

To focus on the development of human resources for global health in Japan, Mie University together with Japan Association for International Health, WHO Association of Japan, Mie International Exchange Foundation and Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development co-organized the 34th Congress of Japan Association for International Health at Mie University, Japan. The theme of this congress was “Fostering human resources for global health; from a local community to the world”. The congress was held on 7-8 December 2019, about 400 people attended, including students, doctors and professors.

Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, MD, Acting President of Khon Kaen University, was one of the four invited speakers who shared their experiences in the “Global Health Education” at the symposium entitled “Education on global health in universities; the views of foreign faculties”.

At the symposium, Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul presented the implementation of global health education in medical curriculum at Khon Kaen University and mentioned the student exchange program in overseas university as a key stepping stone that allows the medical students to learn how clinical learning practices, environmental factors affecting community health, and healthcare management systems differ from their home country and all together they can build a picture of the key issues the at heart of global health. He also shared his experiences on the current situation, problems, challenges and direction of global health education at medical universities.

 

Reported by Pawinee KHAMLAR