On March 15-19, 2021 International Affairs organized the Spring Virtual Global Health Experience (Pilot program not-for-credit) in cooperation with University Study Abroad Consortium (USAC) and Clemson University, United State of America. The program was led by Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Assistant to the President for International Affairs, together with the faculty members from the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Dentistry, the Faculty of Nursing, and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences There were 14 Khon Kaen University students and 12 Clemson University students participating in this program.

On 15 March the topic was the Overview of Public Healthcare in Thailand, lectured by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supatra Chadbunchachai, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The second topic was Thailand’s Health System by Dr. Sauwanan Bumrerraj, MD, Faculty of Medicine.

On March 16 is the second day of the program starting with a lecture by Assist. Prof. Pattapong Kessomboon, Faculty of Medicine, about Primary Health Care and examples of primary care units in Khon Kaen. The second topic was Primary Health Care and Health Promotion and Prevention by Assist. Prof. Dr. Juraporn Tangpukdee, Faculty of Nursing. Moreover, the nursing students shared their knowledge about individual care patient care and community care.

On March 17, Assist. Prof. Dr. Teekayu Plangkoon Jorns from the Faculty of Dentistry gave a lecture on the topic of Oral Health Care in Thailand. There was also a lecture about community dentistry and dental education in Thailand by a 6th year student from the Faculty of Dentistry. The second lesson was Thai Traditional Medicine and Thai Herbs by Assist. Prof Dr. Srisomporn Preprame from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

On March 18 began the lesson by Assist. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the topic about Community Pharmacist in Thailand. It also describes the role of Pharmacists in drugstores. An example of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention was shared by Ms. Nadthatida Hansuri, a pharmacist from Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The last day of the program was an activity for both Khon Kaen University students and Clemson University students to share their visions, presented what they have learnt the past four days, and reflected their knowledge from the programs. The lecturers joined the activity to give feedback and reflect on the students learning outcomes.

The Spring Virtual Global Health Experience (Pilot program not-for-credit) is a short-term online teaching and learning pilot course which was highly successful. Following this first performance, Khon Kaen University plans to expand to virtual courses in different fields including academic activities such as training of professional experiences (internship), exchange program, training program, and mobility program etc.

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