International Relations Office Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
“I have always believed that traveling is a form of learning. I joined this program because I wanted to explore the working cultures of other countries, including ward rounds and daily activities in the outpatient department.”
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 23, 2024, the Faculty of Medicine, led by Assoc. Prof. Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, warmly welcomed Assoc. Prof. Hiroyuki Otsuka, the Director of the Emergency Center at the Department of Emergency Medicine and Surgery, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
During his visit, Associate Professor Otsuka engaged in a study tour and held discussions aimed at fostering collaboration in the fields of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. Initial coordination was conducted with Assistant Professor Panu Teeratakulpisarn, MD, Head of the Center of Excellence for Trauma at the Trauma Unit, Department of Surgery, Khon Kaen University.
This visit marks a significant step forward in the Faculty of Medicine’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international partnerships and advance medical education and research. The collaboration with Tokai University Hachioji Hospital has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of patients by improving trauma care and surgical outcomes in Thailand.
On July 16, 2024, the research team that won the Innovation Award 2024 presented their first-place award to Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, MD, KKU President, in honor and recognition of the university’s achievements in research and innovation.
Recently, the AI For Hip Fracture Detection research team from Khon Kaen University won the regional championship in the Commercial Innovation category at the Innovation Award 2024 presented by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. Their work featured an artificial intelligence system capable of detecting hip fractures from X-ray images with high accuracy. This AI technology has the potential to revolutionize the medical field and patient care.
The research team, led by Asst. Prof. Prin Tawinpraiand and Dr. Nattapon Tawinprai, KKU Faculty of Medicine, collaborated with the research team from the KKU Faculty of Engineering, led by Assoc. Prof. Puripong Suthisopapan. They developed an AI model that can accurately detect hip fractures from X-ray images and was recognized by the judging panel as highly creative and beneficial for medicine.
This award not only honors the research team and Khon Kaen University but also opens opportunities to apply this technology in the medical field across the Asia region. The research team is currently piloting the AI system at Srinagarind Hospital to test its effectiveness and refine it for use in other healthcare facilities.
The KKU President commented on this achievement: “Winning this award is the result of the dedication and collaboration of our team. We hope our AI technology will enhance patient care quality and reduce the workload of doctors in the future.”
Additionally, the research team is preparing to participate in the national level of the Innovation Award 2024, an important platform for showcasing the capabilities and potential of advanced AI technology. This success confirms the potential of Thai researchers and KKU in developing modern technologies that genuinely benefit society.
On July 19, Associate Professor Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, welcomed Associate Professor Tomohisa Uchida, a distinguished pathologist from the Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Japan. The meeting marked a significant step forward in fostering international academic partnerships.
Joined by Associate Professor Warachaya Phanphruk, Assistant Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, and Mrs. Duangkamol Srisawasdi, Head of the International Relations Office, the discussion delved into various opportunities for collaboration between the two esteemed institutions.
Associate Professor Uchida, who manages Oita University’s Bangkok office, plays a pivotal role in facilitating student exchanges and overseeing research collaborations. “I am delighted to explore opportunities to enhance our partnership with Khon Kaen University,” he remarked. He expressed gratitude for Khon Kaen University’s initiative to send medical students to Oita University, emphasizing that the existing MOU between the two universities would streamline the process of launching a student exchange program.
This year, Oita University’s Faculty of Medicine has already welcomed 10 students from Thailand: three from Siriraj Hospital, four from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mahasarakham University, and three from the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University. These students have been engaged in various basic medical fields, including immunology and physiology, enriching their academic experience and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
In an exciting development, Associate Professor Uchida announced that Khon Kaen University will send Dr. Thanatat Panitphong to observe Gastroenterological Surgery at Oita University in September. This initiative is expected to further strengthen the ties between the two institutions and provide valuable learning opportunities for Dr. Panitphong.
The meeting concluded on a high note, with both parties expressing optimism about the future of their collaboration. The potential for academic excellence and mutual growth through these partnerships promises to benefit students and faculty alike.
MDKKU congratulates Assoc. Prof. Kulthida Vaeteewoottacharn, a professor in the Biochemistry Department, on being appointed as “Kumamoto University Liaison Professor” since July 1, 2024. In this role, she will support Kumamoto University’s international activities related to international exchange, which will lead to the development and strengthening of international networks.
We are confident that Assoc. Prof. Vaeteewoottacharn’s expertise and dedication will significantly contribute to fostering academic collaborations. We look forward to the fruitful outcomes of her efforts in this esteemed position.
On July 17, 2024, the Medical Illustration Department, Faculty of Medicine, welcomed faculty members and students from the Science Communication Department, National Pingtung University (NPTU), Taiwan.
Dr. Kan Komany, the Chairperson of the Medical Illustration Program, introduced the department’s details, curriculum, activities, and educational facilities. Dr. Piyanat Sudee and Dr. Pakarat Tempiam, faculty members of the program, also provided information and led a tour of the advanced medical illustration painting classroom taught by Dr. Chommanad U-pachitkul.
In addition, the visitors toured the Studio Production House of the Faculty of Medicine, where Mr. Sarawut Wongyai demonstrated the studio’s usage and the production of online educational materials through KKUMEDX, which is crucial for future integrated learning management.
The visit concluded with a productive exchange of ideas and experiences, strengthening the collaborative relationship between the two institutions. Both parties expressed enthusiasm for future cooperation and the potential for joint projects that could enhance the quality of education and research in both countries.
On July 17, 2024, Associate Professor Pattarapong Makarawate, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Khon Kaen University (KKU), had the honor of welcoming Professor Seung Hwan Lee from Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea. Professor Lee was accompanied by Associate Professor Prapan Jutavijittum from the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, and Mrs. Rungnapa Jutavijittum from the Blood Bank Section at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.
The esteemed delegation was warmly received by prominent members of KKU, including:
The primary purpose of this significant visit was to discuss and explore the feasibility of academic and research collaborations between Khon Kaen University and Seoul National University. The focus of these discussions was on clinical trials for Lao physicians, nurses, and medical personnel from the University of Health Sciences, Lao PDR, with grant support provided by Seoul National University College of Medicine.
As part of the visit, Professor Lee also had the opportunity to conduct a study visit to the Academic Clinical Research Office (ACRO) at KKU’s Faculty of Medicine, further emphasizing the commitment of both institutions to foster innovative research and enhance medical education.
This visit marks an important milestone in the pursuit of international collaboration, aiming to advance medical research and education for the benefit of the global healthcare community.
On July 15, 2024, the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, led by Assoc. Prof. Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, welcomed Professor Satoru Demura, MD, from Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Japan, who is a Visiting Professor at the Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine.
On this occasion, Associate Professor Taweechok Wisanuyotin, MD, and Associate Professor Permsak Paholpak, MD, from the Department of Orthopedics, also participated in the reception. They had the opportunity to discuss various collaboration topics, such as the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), upcoming medical research collaboration projects, as well as staff and student exchange programs aimed at fostering professional development and advanced medical technology exchange.
This discussion was beneficial to both institutions, particularly in promoting the exchange of medical knowledge, new technologies, and modern treatment approaches. It also supported joint research efforts to discover new methods of treatment and disease prevention. Additionally, it created more opportunities for training and skill development of medical personnel through experience exchange and learning from international experts.
