Category: Internaitonal Visitor

On Friday, June 21, 2024 the Faculty of Medicine at Khon Kaen University (MDKKU) welcomed a distinguished delegation from Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy (CTUMP), Vietnam. The visit marked a significant step towards strengthening academic and professional collaboration between the two institutions.

The visit began with a warm welcome speech by Assoc. Prof. Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, who expressed excitement about the potential collaborations and shared goals for medical education and research.

An integral part of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Faculties of Medicine, CTUMP and KKU to facilitate the exchange of staff and students and shared resources for medical training.

A particular highlight of the visit was CTUMP’s interest in MDKKU’s Skill Lab and their methods for cadaver collection and preparation. CTUMP plans to establish its own cadaver center and sees KKU’s expertise as invaluable for this endeavor.

The CTUMP delegation also included Dr. DO Thi Thao, an esteemed alumna who completed her PhD at Khon Kaen University, exemplifying the long-standing academic relationship between the two institutions.

KKU Faculty of Medicine is committed to advancing global health education and is honored to collaborate with such prestigious institutions as CTUMP. We look forward to a fruitful partnership that will benefit both universities and their respective medical communities.

The Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy delegation included:

1. Assoc. Prof. NGUYEN Thanh Tan – Vice Rector
2. Assoc. Prof. DO Chau Minh Vinh Tho – Vice Head of Faculty of Pharmacy
3. DO Thi Thao – Vice Head of Faculty of Odonto Stomalogy
4. NGUYEN Tan Dat – Vice Head of Faculty Public Health
5. NGUYEN Nhu Nghia – Vice Head of Faculty of Medicine
6. PHAM Thi My Ngoc – Director of Medical Education and Skill Training Center
7. PHAM Viet My – Vice Head of Department of Anatomy (Faculty of Medicine)
8. HOANG Minh Tu – Lecturer, Department of Anatomy (Faculty of Medicine)
9. Assoc. Prof. NGUYEN Thi Ngoc Van – Head of Science Technology and External Relations Office

KKU Faculty of Medicine Delegation included:

1. Assoc. Prof. Thuss Sanguansak – Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication
2. Assoc. Prof. Warachaya Phanphruk – Assistant Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication
3. Assoc. Prof. Chalerm Eurboonyanun – Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs
4. Asst. Prof. Raksawan Deenonpoe – Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs
5. Assoc. Prof. Jariya Umka Welbat – Head of Anatomy Department
6. Ms. Puangpayom Kaewpila – Head of Educational Services Office

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On June 19, 2024, Associate Professor Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, representing the Faculty of Medicine, along with international relations officers, welcomed Mei You and Yan Tinging, consuls from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Khon Kaen.

The meeting aimed to discuss potential academic collaborations, including the exchange of experts, researchers, staff, and students, as well as possible joint activities or projects in the future. The discussions were highly productive and are likely to develop into a positive collaboration between the two institutions, fostering academic internationalization.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On May 21, 2024, MD-KKU, led by Assoc. Prof. Pattarapong Makarawate, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, along with the Dean and members of the Faculty of Architecture, welcomed Prof. Michael Siminovitch, Professor of Design, Rosenfeld Chair in Energy Efficiency, Director of the California Lighting Technology Center, and Associate Director of the Energy Efficiency Center at the University of California, Davis. Prof. Siminovitch was the guest speaker for a remarkable seminar on “Circadian Design-Stress Mitigation for Healthcare Environments.”

On this occasion, Assoc. Prof. Pattarapong Makarawate welcomed Prof. Michael Siminovitch with a warm speech: “Your presence marks a significant milestone in our journey towards academic and research collaboration, and we are thrilled at the prospect of discussing future collaborations with you. Together, we can lay the groundwork for joint initiatives that will undoubtedly advance our mutual goals of enhancing healthcare environments and outcomes,” he said.

During the meeting, Prof. Siminovitch presented his research on lighting design for healthcare facilities and environments. The seminar emphasized enhancing patient wellness through mindful environmental design, highlighting aspects such as the design of pre-op surgery areas, imaging rooms, suitable lighting for restrooms, and the use of amber light. The event also featured discussions on academic and research collaborations, along with a visit to Srinagarind Hospital.

This valuable meeting served as a bridge between the Faculty of Medicine and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Michael Siminovitch, and we look forward to future collaborations as we share the same goal of enhancing patient healthcare and services.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun & Waratchaya Rachpoochai

Editing by Prof. John F Smit

On April 29, 2024, Associate Professor Pattarapong Makarawate, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Associate Professor Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, Associate Professor Pattapong Kessomboon, Department of Community Medicine, and personnel of the International Relations Office warmly welcomed Professor Reidar K. Lie, Professor of Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, University of Bergen, Norway. This gathering marked another pivotal moment in furthering the academic partnership between MD-KKU and the University of Bergen.

Professor Lie has been instrumental in fostering cooperation between the University of Bergen and MD-KKU, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2016. This MOU has facilitated the exchange of medical students in Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology through credit transfer programs. Additionally, Professor Lie has served as a Visiting Professor at MD-KKU, delivering specialized instruction to graduate students, physicians, and faculty members on medical science, research ethics, and community medicine. He has also been actively engaged in collaborative research projects with MD-KKU faculty since 2016.

The recent discussion aimed to broaden this collaboration by focusing on short-term exchanges for graduate students, physicians, and nurses. Furthermore, plans are underway to host international conferences on medical ethics in partnership with the University of Bergen and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), further enhancing MD-KKU’s academic, research, and medical service capabilities on a global scale. This strategic initiative underscores MD-KKU’s commitment to excellence and international cooperation in advancing medical education and healthcare standards.

Written by Kunthida Paiyasen

Edited by Pawinee Khamlar

They have been doing collaborative research with Prof. Somchai Pinlaor, Department of Parasitology, and Assoc.Prof. Ranoo Thanan, Department of Biochemistry, on Cholangiocarcinoma carcinogenesis via chronic Opisthorchis viverrini infection since 2003. Recently, they have extended this work to include Clonorchis sinensis. During this visit, they updated results of their research, and discussed future directions to further strengthen their scientific research cooperation.

Professor Pinlaor and Department members and Prof. Arima’s team also met with Assist. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs, to discuss strategies for strengthening exchanges and collaboration of young researchers between the two universities.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

MDKKU recently welcomed Dr. Naoya Wada and Dr. Hiroto Tanaka from the Advanced ICT Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan to our Department of Parasitology between February 20 and 21, 2024.

NICT aims to unite various research fields and promote research collaboration with industry, academia, and government related to basic research on international information communication. NICT made a Cooperative Research Agreement (CRA) with KKU before the COVID-19 pandemic and have been working since then with Professor Somchai Pinlaor, Department of Parasitology, to develop biomarker sensors based on micro-optical circuit technologies.

During the visit, Professor Pinlaor and Department members and Dr. Wada and Dr. Tanaka met with Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MDKKU Dean, and our International Relations Affairs administrators to discuss their collaborative projects and future developments.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

MDKKU recently welcomed Professor Joe Iwanaga, as an overseas visiting professor from Tulane University School of Medicine, USA to our Department of Anatomy.  He visited   between February 5 and 8, 2024 and delivered lectures and workshops to faculty and postgraduate students.

Professor Iwanaga is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, dentist and anatomist and a board member of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA). His research career has been devoted to clinical anatomy and has resulted in over 250 peer-reviewed publications in the medical and scientific literature.

During his visit, he had a meeting with Assist. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Jariya Umka Welbat, head of Anatomy Department, and other department staff to discuss collaborative opportunities for research and academic development between the two institutions.

He delivered a workshop on latex techniques for fresh cadaver embalming and a lecture on clinical anatomy research and its applications. Both activities were very helpful for practice and exchange of experiences on how to preserve the human body for cardiovascular system research, and for stimulating discussion on collaborative research and using high technology and innovation in anatomical research.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On November 23, 2023, our Nursing Department welcomed a delegation from the Faculty of Health and Social Care, Molde University College – Specialized University in Logistics (MUC), Norway. Their delegation, led by Associate Professor Dr. Elin Mordal visited KKU to sign a MOU on academic cooperation with the Faculty of Nursing.

Mrs. Benchamart Channuan, RN, Deputy Hospital Director for Nursing Department, and her delegates delivered a welcome speech. MUC delegation then visited the Karunruk Palliative Care Center, Accident and Emergency Nursing Division, Wards 2B and 2D, and our Pediatric Nursing Division.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Associate Professor Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs recently welcomed Professor Carlito Lebrilla from the Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.

On November 21, 2023 Professor Lebrilla made a presentation in the Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MBMB) seminar series 2/2023 on “Structural methods to probe and characterize the glycocarlyx interactions in the cell membrane”.

His research focuses on developing bioanalytical methods based on mass spectrometry with the goals of structurally characterizing bioactives in food and determining their relationships to health and diseases. Also, he and his team use Agilent technology to analyze the components of human milk and gain a better understanding of their various functions.

On this occasion, the Department’s staff led by Associate Professor Kulthida Vaeteewoottacharn, MD, Head of the Department also met with Professor Lebrille to discuss the development of collaborative-research and clinical skills development projects between the two institutions.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On November 7, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of KKU Faculty of Medicine welcomed Professor Sophia Mavroudas, Associate Director of the Forensic Anthropology Center (FACTS) at Texas State University, USA to our faculty.

Professor Mavroudas is currently focused on the incorporation of non-traditional histomorphometric variables to improve age-at-death estimation methodologies in forensic contexts across global populations. As a forensic anthropologist, she is also involved in disaster victim identification efforts for presumed migrants who die crossing global borders.

She participated in the MD-KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Department of Anatomy and gave a guest lecturer on “The Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS): The utility of outdoor decomposition facilities and donated skeletal collections in forensic science research.” This talk covered how FACTS uses a willed body donation program with its indoor and outdoor laboratories to conduct research related to forensic contexts. It also discussed the Texas State Donated Skeletal Collection and research done with this vital resource at both micro- and macroscopic levels.

On this occasion, the Department’s staff also attending the meeting included Assoc. Prof. Jariya Umka Welbat, Head of the Department, and Asst. Prof. Tawut Rudtanatip. They discussed the development of collaborative-research and clinical skills development projects between the two institutions.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith