Category: Inbound Students

Dr. Dawin Rotha, a distinguished otorhinolaryngologist from Cambodia, has successfully completed a rigorous specialist medical course in Otorhinolaryngology at Khon Kaen University’s prestigious Faculty of Medicine. This milestone marks a significant achievement, not only in Dr. Dawin’s career but also in fostering cross-border medical collaborations.

Throughout the program, hosted at Srinagarind Hospital, Dr. Dawin honed her skills in diagnosing and treating a wide array of complex conditions affecting the ear, nose, and throat (ENT). She mastered advanced surgical techniques such as Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Myringoplasty (eardrum repair), and Tonsillectomy. These procedures are critical in addressing various ENT disorders and require a high degree of precision and expertise.

In addition to her clinical training, Dr. Dawin gained valuable experience in managing emergency situations frequently encountered in the field of otorhinolaryngology. She adeptly handled cases of Acute Otitis Media (severe ear infection) and upper airway obstructions, demonstrating her ability to respond swiftly and accurately under pressure.

One of the significant challenges Dr. Dawin faced was adapting to the cultural and linguistic environment in Thailand. Despite these hurdles, she succeeded in improving her communication skills with Thai patients, particularly in medical contexts. Her proficiency in the Thai language became an essential tool in building trust and ensuring clear communication between physician and patient.

Dr. Dawin expressed her gratitude to Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Medicine and Srinagarind Hospital for the opportunity to advance her medical expertise and personal development. She also extended her thanks to the faculty members and medical teams who provided invaluable support and shared their extensive knowledge.

Dr. Dawin Rotha’s successful completion of this specialist training program not only underscores her adaptability and commitment to learning but also highlights her potential to enhance patient care in Cambodia. Her achievement is a testament to the strength of international medical collaboration, paving the way for continued partnerships that contribute to the global advancement of healthcare.

The Faculty of Medicine at Khon Kaen University is thrilled to welcome 12 outstanding medical students from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” in Romania as part of the Asian Medical Student Exchange Program (AMSEP). This highly anticipated event, scheduled from August 17th to 26th, 2024, promises to be a dynamic blend of cultural discovery, academic growth, and global networking.

Assistant Professor Supawan Laohasiriwong, Assistant for International Relations and Corporate Communication, officially inaugurated the program, laying the foundation for a week filled with meaningful exchanges and memorable experiences.

Meet the Participants:

1. Ana-Maria Dragu
2. Andrada Nemesis Crisan
3. Bianca-Ilinca Moroianu
4. Diana-Ioana Pîrvu
5. Ioana-Alexandra Ciupan
6. Letitia Nan
7. Patricia Bobi
8. Rucsandra Antonia Brinzea
9. Teodora-Maria Ciubeica
10. Alexandru-Constantin Moroianu
11. Andrei Leonard Giurcă
12. George Albu

In partnership with the Student Affairs Office and AMSA Club, the program offers an immersive experience designed to enrich participants both culturally and academically, fostering new friendships and professional connections.

Program Highlights Include:

• Cultural Immersion: Engage deeply with Thai culture through interactive workshops, traditional ceremonies, and tours of significant cultural landmarks.
• Medical Exchange: Gain in-depth knowledge of Thai medical practices through specialized lectures, hands-on workshops, and hospital visits focused on areas such as tropical diseases.
• Community Engagement: Visit the “Lawa Model” project, a renowned community initiative aimed at combating liver fluke disease, offering a unique perspective on public health efforts.
• Skill Enhancement: Sharpen clinical skills in the Skill Lab and Parasitology Laboratory, with opportunities for reflective learning through group discussions.
• Networking and Social Events: Connect with peers from around the world during social gatherings, culminating in an exciting farewell celebration.

Khon Kaen University is honored to host these future medical leaders and anticipates that this exchange will inspire further collaboration and mutual understanding between the participating institutions.

On August 5, 2024, MDKKU warmly welcomed four exchange medical students from the Medical University of Innsbruck in Austria, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University in Ukraine, and the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in the Czech Republic. The students are participating in a program to gain clinical skills, observe medical practices, and exchange experiences.

On their first day, the students attended an orientation session organized by the International Relations Office. The morning activities included an introduction to the faculty and curriculum, as well as a basic Thai language lesson covering everyday phrases such as greetings, apologies, thank-yous, and shopping expressions. They then went on a tour of key locations within the faculty, meeting with advisors and staff in their respective departments. In the afternoon, they familiarized themselves with the university’s transportation system, known as KKU Transit, and had the opportunity to ride the shuttle bus to various sites, including Food and Service Center 1 (KKU Complex), the swimming pool, KKU Fitness, the Art and Cultural Center, and the KKU night market, before returning to their dormitories.

This exchange program offers the visiting students not only an opportunity to develop their clinical skills but also a chance to immerse themselves in Thai culture and everyday life. The exposure to new environments and systems, such as KKU Transit and the local food and service centers, enhances their overall learning experience, allowing them to broaden their understanding of healthcare and cultural practices in a different part of the world.

On July 26, 2024, the Faculty of Medicine held a graduation ceremony for the exchange program participants: Dr. Phonepaserth Vongphoukham and Dr. Vilay Menivong, third-year Emergency Medicine residents from the University of Health Sciences, Lao PDR, Miss Anabelle Simone Lelong, a 4th-year medical student from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Poitiers, France, and Miss Alexandra Burianová, a 5th-year medical student from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic.

The four students presented and shared their experiences and impressions during their exchange period at the Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. Vongphoukham from Laos stated, “It has been a very valuable experience for me to learn at the Department of Emergency Medicine. I have learned a lot about teamwork and will apply this experience in my work back in my country.”

Meanwhile, Miss Burianová from the Czech Republic mentioned, “I had a great experience training in the Department of Surgery. Being part of the surgical team and receiving guidance and instruction from the professors was incredibly beneficial. I am very impressed.”

Miss Lelong from France said, “I am very impressed by the people here, who are very friendly. Especially in the General Surgery department, where the professors and staff speak excellent English, which helped me understand my studies very well. Thank you for this wonderful experience.”

Professor John F. Smith, PhD, an English Specialist from the Division of International Relations and Corporate Communication, attended the presentations and awarded certificates to all four students.

This event marked the successful completion of the exchange program, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in medical education. The students’ experiences reflect the value of cross-cultural learning and the positive impact it has on their professional and personal growth.

On July 12, 2024, Dr. Mohd Hijaz Zainudin, an orthopaedic surgeon from the Orthopaedic Department at Hospital Shah Alam, Malaysia, completed his exchange program at the Department of Orthopaedics, Khon Kaen University.

During his graduation ceremony, Dr. Zainudin presented his accomplishments and shared the experiences he gained from the exchange program at the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. He expressed how impressed he was with the environment, the people, and the training he received.

He said, “I am very impressed and have gained invaluable experiences throughout my training here. The learning facilities are surrounded by beautiful nature and a pleasant environment. I have met many friendly and kind people, and the professors and staff in the department have been very helpful to me.”

On this occasion, Professor John F. Smith, PhD, an English Specialist from the Division of International Relations and Corporate Communication, attended Dr. Zainudin’s presentation. He also exchanged information to foster future collaborations and had the honor of presenting the certificate to Dr. Zainudin.

The Faculty of Medicine congratulates Dr. Zainudin once again and is delighted to have been part of his success. We hope that this experience will serve as a strong foundation, boosting his professional development and enhancing his ability to face future challenges.

MDKKU warmly welcomes Dr. Phonepaserth Vongphoukham and Dr. Vilay Menivong, third-year Emergency Medicine residents from the University of Health Sciences, Lao PDR, who have come to participate in a 4-week elective rotation at the Department of Emergency Medicine from July 1 to July 26, 2024.

This elective rotation is part of the strategic support from the Faculty of Medicine in its pursuit of becoming an international medical school. Additionally, this rotation fosters the development of cooperative networks that may lead to joint research or collaborative developments in the field of medicine. It also allows these residents to adopt various ideas and experiences to improve the quality of healthcare services in their home country.

We hope that the opportunity to host residents from Laos will enrich their diverse work experiences and expand their career growth opportunities, which will significantly contribute to the development and enhancement of healthcare systems at both personal and global levels.

On July 1, 2024, MDKKU welcomed Miss Anabelle Simone LELONG, a 4th-year medical student from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Poitiers, France, and Miss Alexandra Burianová, a 5th-year medical student from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic, for an exchange program at the Department of Surgery.

On the first day of the exchange, both students participated in an orientation activity organized by the International Relations Office to receive information about Khon Kaen University, the Faculty of Medicine, and basic Thai language lessons for daily life. Afterward, they met with faculty members and staff to register for their studies. The morning activities concluded with a campus tour to familiarize them with various locations in the Faculty of Medicine.

In the afternoon, they took part in a KKU campus tour to get acquainted with facilities and amenities within the university using the transportation system called KKU Smart Transit (KST). They tried this transit system to visit various places such as the KKU Sports Complex, swimming pool, art center, and the Food and Service Center 1 (KKU Complex).

The orientation activities organized by the Faculty of Medicine for these two exchange students are hoped to be beneficial for their adaptation to the environment, faculty, and Thai friends, as well as for their survival in a culturally different society. Most importantly, it aims to make them feel warm and part of our community.

On June 28, 2567, Dr. Prisilla Desfiandi, a dedicated Orthopaedic and Traumatology resident, along with Emergency Medicine Residents from Laos, including Drs. Phaengkham Ondala, Phaithong Phengpanya, and Sourivong Khounthikoumman, concluded and shared their exchange program experiences at the Faculty of Medicine.

During the presentation, they had the honor of being joined by Professor John F. Smith, PhD, English Specialist from the Division of International Relations and Corporate Communication.

All residents were impressed and gained valuable experience from this exchange, such as teamwork and new medical practices. Dr. Khounthikoumman expressed, “I had a great opportunity to exchange here. Besides gaining new medical knowledge to develop medicine in my country, I learned to work in teams with many kind-hearted Thai friends.”

Simultaneously, Dr. Desfiandi was impressed by the people here, despite language and cultural differences. She stated, “The Thai friends here are very kind. Although English was sometimes a barrier in communication, everyone tried to explain everything to me. Thank you so much.”

The Faculty of Medicine is delighted to serve as a hub of opportunity for international students interested in exchanges with us. This knowledge and experience will greatly benefit the future development of the medical field for humanity.

This exchange program underscores the collaborative spirit and commitment to enhancing medical education and cultural understanding among participants from Indonesia, Laos, and Thailand.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Mohd Hijaz Zainudin, an esteemed orthopaedic surgeon from the Orthopaedic Department at Hospital Shah Alam, Malaysia, has applied for a Spine Fellowship at Khon Kaen University.

Dr. Mohd Hijaz Zainudin will undertake his fellowship under the mentorship of Associate Professor Permsak Paholpak at the Department of Orthopaedics, Khon Kaen University, from June 3, 2024, to July 14, 2024.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Mohd Hijaz Zainudin and are confident that his participation in this Spine Fellowship will significantly contribute to his professional development. This collaboration will also enhance the exchange of medical expertise between Orthopaedic Department at Hospital Shah Alam, Malaysia and Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University.

Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Medicine proudly announces the arrival of three accomplished Lao Emergency Medicine residents for an elective rotation at our esteemed Department of Emergency Medicine.

Drs. Phaengkham Ondala, Phaithong Phengpanya, and Sourivong Khounthikoumman, all third-year residents from Laos, will embark on this enriching opportunity from June 4, 2024, to June 28, 2024. During their tenure, they will immerse themselves in diverse clinical scenarios, cutting-edge medical practices, and engage in invaluable academic exchanges.

This initiative not only highlights Khon Kaen University’s dedication to fostering global medical collaboration but also underscores our commitment to nurturing future healthcare leaders. The Lao residents’ participation promises to enhance their skills, broaden their perspectives, and strengthen Thailand/Lao PDR ties in emergency medicine.

Join us in welcoming Drs. Phaengkham Ondala, Phaithong Phengpanya, Sourivong Khounthikoumman, and all our Lao colleagues to Khon Kaen University. Together, we look forward to a fruitful exchange of knowledge and experiences that will benefit healthcare communities in Laos and Thailand alike.