On April 11, 2025, the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, held the “Muan Suen Songkran 2025” celebration under the theme: “Songkran in Medicine – Preserving Thai Traditions, United in Energy and Environmental Conservation.” The event was organized to celebrate the Songkran Festival and to promote Thai culture among faculty members, staff, and students.
A total of 11 exchange students from four partner universities abroad took part in the festivities, including: Wakayama Medical University (Japan), Fujita Health University School of Medicine (Japan), The University of Adelaide (Australia), and Imperial College London (United Kingdom).
The exchange students had the opportunity to join the Buddha image procession, perform the traditional water-pouring ceremony, receive New Year’s blessings, watch the Miss Songkran beauty pageant, and take part in traditional Thai games and activities. The event was filled with smiles, joy, and friendship.
This meaningful experience allowed the exchange students to gain a deeper understanding of Thai culture through hands-on participation, while also fostering a sense of connection with the Faculty of Medicine community.
The blend of Thai culture and international elements made this year’s Songkran celebration particularly special and memorable.
ภายในงานมีนักศึกษาแลกเปลี่ยนจำนวน 11 คนจากจาก 4 มหาวิทยาลัยในต่างประเทศเข้าร่วมกิจกรรม ได้แก่ Wakayama Medical University ประเทศญี่ปุ่น Fujita Health University School of Medicine ประเทศญี่ปุ่น The University of Adelaide ประเทศออสเตรเลียและ Imperial College London สหราชอาณาจักร
在活动中,共有来自4所外国大学的11名交换生参加了活动,分别来自日本和歌山县立医科大学(Wakayama Medical University)、藤田医科大学(Fujita Health University School of Medicine)、澳大利亚阿德莱德大学(The University of Adelaide)与英国帝国理工学院(Imperial College London) 。
On April 8, 2025, the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University organized a welcome event for exchange students from three countries: Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom. These students have come to further their studies and engage in knowledge exchange at the Faculty of Medicine from April 9th to May 8th. The exchange students participating in the program are as follows:
Exchange students from Wakayama Medical University, Japan:
Mr. Maya Seki,5th-year student in Radiology (Diagnosis) and Emergency Medicine
Mr. Yusuke Kojima, 5th-year student in Radiology (Therapy) and Emergency Medicine
Ms. Ayaka Miyama, 5th-year student in General Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ms. Moe Otori, 5th-year student in Plastic Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynecology
Exchange students fromFujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan:
Mr. Akitoshi Miyajima, 5th-year student in Rehabilitation Medicine and Forensic Medicine
Ms. Yurika Funakoshi, 5th-year student in Pediatrics Surgery and Orthopedics
Ms. Tsukushi Suzuki, 5th-year student in Rehabilitation Medicine and Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
Mr. Yuki Marui, 5th-year student in Psychiatry and Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
Exchange students from the University of Adelaide, Australia:
Ms. Maia Alessandra Kat, 6th-year student in Emergency Medicine
Ms. Erica Barbara Turner, 6th-year student in Emergency Medicine
Exchange students from Imperial College London, UK:
Mr. Mahendra Kumar Keeran, a 6th-year student in Orthopedics and Plastic Surgery.
The reception of exchange students this time is a valuable opportunity to enhance mutual understanding and academic exchange between countries. The International Relations Office of the Faculty of Medicine organized an orientation session to provide the exchange students with important information about Khon Kaen University, as well as to prepare them for their life as exchange students in Thailand.
In the morning, an orientation session was held, which included an introduction to important locations both inside and outside of Khon Kaen University, as well as basic Thai language lessons to help students communicate more easily in daily life. In the afternoon, the exchange students participated in a campus tour of Khon Kaen University using the KKU Smart Transit service. They were also introduced to various important locations to ensure they had comprehensive information.
This exchange program not only promotes the exchange of academic knowledge in the field of medicine from various countries but also helps foster understanding of diverse cultures.
The Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, aims to ensure that each exchange program enhances the knowledge and potential of the institution through the exchange of new information and development, ultimately benefiting the field of medicine to its fullest.
เมื่อวันที่ 8 เมษายนที่ผ่านมา คณะแพทยศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น ได้จัดกิจกรรมต้อนรับนักศึกษาแลกเปลี่ยนจาก 3 ประเทศ จาก Wakayama Medical University ประเทศญี่ปุ่น Fujita Health University School of Medicine ประเทศญี่ปุ่น The University of Adelaide ออสเตรเลีย และ Imperial College London สหราชอาณาจักร ซึ่งมาเพื่อศึกษาต่อยอดและแลกเปลี่ยนความรู้ในคณะแพทยศาสตร์ในช่วงระหว่างวันที่ 9 เมษายน – 8 พฤษภาคม โดยนักศึกษาแลกเปลี่ยนที่เข้าร่วมโครงการมีดังนี้
นักศึกษาแลกเปลี่ยน จากมหาวิทยาลัย Wakayama Medical Universityประเทศญี่ปุ่น
Mr. Maya Seki ชั้นปีที่ 5 ณ สาขาวิชารังสีวิทยา และเวชศาสตร์ฉุกเฉิน
Mr. Yusuke kojima ชั้นปีที่ 5 ณ สาขาวิชารังสีวิทยา และเวชศาสตร์ฉุกเฉิ น
4月8日,孔敬大学医学院举行了欢迎来自三个国家的交换生活动。参与此次交流的学生分别来自以下大学:和歌山县立医科大学(Wakayama Medical University)、藤田医科大学(Fujita Health University School of Medicine)、阿德莱德大学(The University of Adelaide)以及帝国理工学院(Imperial College London)。
本次交流活动旨在促进医学领域的进修与知识交流,活动时间为2025年4月9日至5月8日。以下是参与此次交流项目的学生名单:
“Joining the ENT Department in Slovakia was more than just a clinical rotation—it was a journey of personal growth, cultural discovery, and academic enrichment that broadened my perspective as a future doctor.”
“As a KKU medical student, stepping into the operating theatre at Changi General Hospital was like stepping into the future of surgery. The opportunity to observe and learn from highly experienced orthopedic surgeons, combined with exposure to robotic-assisted procedures, has greatly expanded my perspective on surgical innovations and their impact on patient care.”
Sixteen Japanese medical and radiological technology students from four of Japan’s leading medical universities have embarked on an intensive four-week Clinical Elective Program at Khon Kaen University (KKU), offering them a rare and profound window into the world of tropical medicine and Thailand’s public healthcare system.
The program, held from 3–28 March 2025 at KKU’s Faculty of Medicine, welcomed students from Aichi Medical University, Fujita Health University, Wakayama Medical University, and Gifu University. It offered a hands-on learning experience across a broad range of disciplines — from general surgery, pediatric surgery, family medicine, and community medicine to emergency medicine, rehabilitation, and radiological techniques.
Through daily clinical rotations at Srinagarind Hospital and outreach in surrounding communities, the visiting students observed surgeries, joined ward rounds, assisted in outpatient clinics, and participated in home visits, gaining insight into Thailand’s tiered public health infrastructure — from primary to tertiary care.
But the program wasn’t only about clinical training. Culture took center stage as well — in between scalpels and stethoscopes, the students folded delicate flowers from pandan leaves alongside their Thai peers, learning the symbolism of fragrance and mindfulness in Thai tradition. In return, they shared the Japanese art of origami, crafting intricate paper shapes that filled the room with laughter and admiration.
These quiet moments of cultural exchange brought warmth and perspective to a rigorous academic journey.
The elective reflects Thailand’s growing role as a regional hub for global medical exchange and its commitment to academic diplomacy. For the Japanese students, many of whom will return to high-tech medical institutions in their homeland, the experience has offered a unique perspective on resourceful, community-driven healthcare models.
As the final week approaches, friendships have flourished, futures have been reshaped, and the seeds of long-term collaboration between Thailand and Japan have been sown.
คณะนักศึกษาแพทย์และนักศึกษารังสีเทคนิคจาก 4 มหาวิทยาลัยการแพทย์ชั้นนำของประเทศญี่ปุ่น ได้แก่ Aichi Medical University, Fujita Health University, Wakayama Medical University และ Gifu University เดินทางร่วมโครงการ Clinical Elective Program ที่จัดขึ้น ณ คณะแพทยศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น ระหว่างวันที่ 3–28 มีนาคม 2568 เปิดประสบการณ์ใหม่ด้าน “สุขภาพเขตร้อน” และระบบสาธารณสุขไทยแบบเจาะลึก พร้อมฝึกเวชปฏิบัติจริงในหลากหลายสาขา
ตลอดระยะเวลา 4 สัปดาห์ นักศึกษา 16 คน ได้แก่: Miss OKI Ayana, Miss HASHIMOTO Hanako, Miss TAKEDA Mano, Miss NAKATSUJI Reina, Miss TSURUTA Riko, Miss MATSUYAMA Kanami, Mr. KITO Ryota, Miss SUGIYAMA Eri, Miss WATANABE Shun, Miss KATO Aina, Ms. Ririko Oshima, Mr. Ryota Kamijo, Ms. Kana Arai, Mr. Daiki Tagami, Miss Asami Aoyama, และ Miss Minagi Fujii
ได้เรียนรู้และฝึกฝนทักษะในสาขาต่าง ๆ อาทิ ศัลยกรรมทั่วไป กุมารศัลยศาสตร์ เวชศาสตร์ครอบครัว เวชศาสตร์ชุมชน เวชศาสตร์ฉุกเฉิน เวชศาสตร์ฟื้นฟู และรังสีเทคนิค
นักศึกษาญี่ปุ่นได้ลงพื้นที่ฝึกเวชปฏิบัติทั้งในโรงพยาบาลศรีนครินทร์และชุมชนโดยรอบ จังหวัดขอนแก่น สังเกตการณ์การผ่าตัด ออกตรวจผู้ป่วยนอกและใน ร่วมกิจกรรม home visit และศึกษาระบบสาธารณสุขของไทยตั้งแต่ระดับปฐมภูมิ จนถึงตติยภูมิ เรียกได้ว่าเป็นประสบการณ์ที่เข้มข้นและครอบคลุม
“Fujita Health University stands at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence and robotics into healthcare, providing an exceptional learning environment for cutting-edge medical education and advanced surgical techniques.”
“Beyond the clinical experience, one of the most rewarding aspects of my time at Royal Melbourne Hospital was the opportunity to work alongside an exceptional team. I had the privilege of collaborating closely with attending staff, registrars, residents, pharmacists, and nurses, each of whom contributed their expertise and dedication, making the experience truly invaluable.”
“The exchange program at Aichi Medical University’s Orthopedic Surgery Department has provided me with invaluable experience, exposing me to advanced medical technology and a diverse range of fascinating cases.”
Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Medicine has warmly welcomed a group of Japanese medical and radiologic technology students from four prestigious institutions: Aichi Medical University, Fujita Health University, Wakayama Medical University, and Gifu University. These students are set to engage in clinical training at Srinagarind Hospital between March 3 and March 28, 2025.
This exchange program offers practical training across multiple medical disciplines, providing students with hands-on experience under the mentorship of senior physicians and specialists. The program not only enhances clinical skills but also fosters cultural and academic exchanges between Japanese and Thai medical students.
Participating Students and Clinical Specialties
Student Name
University
Primary Specialty
Secondary Specialty
Oki Ayana
Aichi Medical University
Orthopedic Surgery
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
Hashimoto Hanako
Aichi Medical University
Orthopedic Surgery
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
Takeda Mano
Aichi Medical University
Pediatric Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Nakatsuji Reina
Aichi Medical University
Pediatric Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Tsuruta Riko
Aichi Medical University
Anesthesiology
Pediatric Surgery
Matsuyama Kanami
Aichi Medical University
Anesthesiology
Pediatric Surgery
Kito Ryota
Aichi Medical University
General Surgery
Emergency Medicine
Sugiyama Eri
Aichi Medical University
General Surgery
–
Watanabe Shun
Aichi Medical University
Community Medicine
–
Kato Aina
Aichi Medical University
Community Medicine
–
Ryota Kamijo
Wakayama Medical University
Emergency Medicine
Rehabilitation Medicine
Daiki Tagami
Gifu University
Plastic Surgery
Emergency Medicine
Asami Aoyama
Fujita Health University
Radiologic Technology
–
Minagi Fujii
Fujita Health University
Radiologic Technology
–
Ririko Oshima
Wakayama Medical University
Emergency Medicine
Plastic Surgery
Kana Arai
Wakayama Medical University
Plastic Surgery
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Medicine continues to expand its international partnerships, working toward becoming a regional center for medical and health sciences education. Through programs like this, the university remains committed to enhancing the quality of education, research, and clinical training on a global scale.