KKU-MD achieves its best ever result for Medicine in QS World University Rankings (2023)

 

The latest QS World University Rankings for Medicine (2023), KKU-MD ranked among the top 301–350 medical schools in the world, in the top 60 in Asia, and in the top 4 in Thailand.

The six indicators that determine the QS World University Ranking 2023 are academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty, international student ratio and international faculty ratio.

This year’s QS World University Rankings included almost 1,500 institutions from around the world. The highest rankings included universities from diverse locations across Europe, Asia and North America, and not just traditionally iconic institutions.

 

Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/subject–rankings/2023

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Khon Kaen University Phenome Centre hosts the 2nd Reinventing University for Phenomics Project 2023 with delegates from Murdoch University, Australia

 

KKU Phenome Centre together with Faculty of Medicine hosted the 2nd Reinventing University for Phenomics Project 2023 between May 1 and 5, 2023 with delegates from Murdoch University, Australia, including Professor Jeremy Nicholson, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences, Director, Australian National Phenome Centre, Professor Elaine Holmes, Deputy Director, Australian National Phenome Centre, Professor Julien Wist, Deputy Director, Australian National Phenome Centre, and Dr. Sze How Bong, Senior Operations Manager, Australian National Phenome Centre.

The Murdoch University delegates had discussions on Phenomics collaboration with the KKU President, and in meetings with KKU project leads.

Professor Nicholson and his delegation met Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, MD, President of Khon Kaen University and the KKU Administrative Board to discuss the construction of a new KKU Phenome Center and procurement and scoping issues for design and construction work. KKU delegates also presented a possible new collaborative project with Australian National Phenome Centre.

“We’re trying to sell an idea of the new study platform in many clinical problems, such as obesity, cancers, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases to find out research topics and questions. It’s the beginning of KKU assembling related human resources to join in this project. The reinventing project is very beneficial to this new way of study,” said KKU president.

 

 

In addition, Prof. Nicholson gave an invited presentation “From Genomics to Phenomics Medicine: The Next Paradigm to Drive Precision Medicine” at the KKU-MD Hybrid Learning Centre. Over 100 KKU and non-KKU researchers and graduate students attended his presentation both on-site and on-line.

 

 

KKU president together with researchers and graduate students also participated in discussions between Murdoch University delegates and KKU exemplar project leads at KKU Northeastern Science Park. This meeting provided our researchers and students with a lot of knowledge for phenomics research implementation.

 

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Medical exchange students from Wakayama Medical University and Fujita Health University, Japan complete KKU-MD elective program

 

On April 28, 2023, we congratulated exchange students from Wakayama Medical University and Fujita Health University, Japan on the completion of their elective exchange program with us. The students completing the program were:

  1. Mr. Takuto Hirata, Wakayama Medical University, Department of Emergency Medicine
  2. Miss Hinako Tanaka, Wakayama Medical University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  3. Miss Mari Hayashi, Wakayama Medical University, Department of Surgery
  4. Miss Isui Harie, Wakayama Medical University, Department of Surgery
  5. Miss Mizuna Wakahara, Fujita Health University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  6. Mr. Kosuke Sumi, Fujita Health University, Department of Orthopedics
  7. Mr. Takamoto Bando, Fujita Health University, Department of Orthopedics.

 

 

The students gave final presentations on their elective program sharing their academic and clinical training experiences and their multi-cultural experiences with Thai food, people, culture, and places. They seemed impressed with their visit to Khon Kaen, and KKU-MD was pleased to be part of their successful time and to have them in our faculty.

“I met many kind doctors in my department taking care of us. They allowed me to wear a gown, and I could join many operations. Here, I could hold a laparoscopic camera, forceps, and sutures. I’m truly grateful to have had these experiences,” said a Wakayama Medical University student.

“In the labor room, I took part in a caesarean section. I sucked amniotic fluid out of a baby’s mouth. This’s my first time to do it. I was really impressed! In free time, I talked to doctors and residents a lot. I found that the circumstances in clinical practices are similar to Japan, such as working life, popular department, and so on. It’s interesting! One thing that I felt most surprised is that almost all Thai doctors and medical students can speak and use medical terms in English,” said a Fujita Health University student.

 

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

KKU-MD welcomes exchange student from Gifu University, Japan

 

On May 1, 2023, KKU-MD welcomed Mr. Araki Ayumu, exchange student from Gifu University, Japan to our Departments of Emergency​ Medicine​ and​ Community, Family and Occupational Medicine. The program was scheduled for 4 weeks from May 2 to 25, 2023 under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Gifu University School of Medicine and KKU-MD.

At his Orientation Day, he was introduced to our faculty and programs via a campus tour, supervisor meetings, and city tour with his new MD friends to visit famous attractions such as Wat Nong Waeng, Chao Por Mahe Sak Shrine, Khon Kaen street art, and to enjoy Thai food at Ton Tann Night Market.

 

 

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

KKU-MD welcomes visiting professor from St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan


On May 3, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of KKU Faculty of Medicine, and Assist. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs welcomed Professor Hiroaki Kitagawa, MD, President, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan, to our faculty.

The visit’s objective was to discuss the ongoing student and faculty exchanges between St. Marianna University School of Medicine and Faculties of Medicine and Nursing, KKU.

On this occasion Dr. Natipoom Ketsing, Department of Medicine also attended with Asst. Prof. Patchareeporn Tanming, Department of Surgery, and joined the discussion on student exchange opportunities, collaborative-research and clinical skills development projects between the two institutions.

“Discussion between St. Marianna University School of Medicine and our faculty about an international student exchange program began in July 2018 and culminated in a formal memorandum of understanding between our universities in October 2019,” said Dean. 

“I’m confident that your visit will further strengthen the existing partnership between your university and our faculty and also foster cooperation and exchange opportunities with other KKU faculties in the near future,” he added.

After the meeting Professor Kitagawa took the opportunity to visit Srinagarind Hospital at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Clinical Skill Lab.

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Khon Kaen University and Thammasat University visit K-MEDI Hub, Daegu, Republic of Korea

 

Delegations from Khon Kaen and Thammasat Universities visited K-Medi Hub (Daegu Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation) for meetings on international cooperation and medical joint research between April 8 and 12, 2023.

The visit’s objectives were to develop international cooperation in medical research between K-MEDI Hub, Thammasat University (TU) and Khon Kaen University (KKU) through discussions on health science researcher and human resource development between Korea and Thailand, and to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) process for this cooperation.

There were 13 administrators and researchers participating in the meeting led by Prof. Juntra Karbwang Laothavorn, MD, President of SIDCER-FERCAP Foundation and Committee of Academic Clinical Research Office (ACRO) KKU-MD, Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of KKU Faculty of Medicine, together with KKU-ACRO administrators, and Prof. Kesara Na–Bangchang, Director of Drug Discovery and Development Center together with Thammasat University administrators.During the visit Thammasat University took this opportunity to formally sign an MOU with K-MEDI Hub on April 10, 2023.

K-MEDI Hub is a state of the art research and development center under the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea located in Medi-valley, Daegu, Korea. Its vision is “To become a global R&D business hub leading the world’s advanced healthcare industry by 2025”. It is led by Dr. Yang Jin Yong, K-MEDI Hub and Prof. Maria Im Hee Shin, FERCAP Korean Coordinator.

This visit furthers KKU-MD and other KKU health science institutes plans for international research collaboration and human resource development.  It also provides more opportunities to collaborate with the private sector for clinical research and commercial implementation of research outcomes and innovation.

 

 

Sources: https://www.ajunews.com/view/20230411171532745#_enliple

                https://www.kmedihub.re.kr/eng/index.do

 

 

Reporter: Chatsiri Jesadakultavee

Writer: Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editor: Prof. John F Smith 

Tawanchai Foundation joins conference on cleft lip and cleft palate at Khammouane Provincial Hospital, Lao PDR

 

Prof. Bowornsilp Chowchuen and delegates from KKU-MD’s Tawanchai Foundation for Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Deformities (TFC) joined Nakhon Phanom Provincial Health Officers and medical scholars at a conference at Khammouane Provincial Hospital, Lao PDR between April 24 and 25, 2023. The conference was hosted by Dr. Somsaat Ounsida, Khammouane Vice Governor and Ms. Thitiya Panmanee, Consul of the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Savannakhet.

This is the third collaboration conference under the MOU between Khammouane Provincial Hospital, Lao PDR and Nakhon Phanom Provincial Health Office, Thailand. The collaboration aims to enhance medical health services for patients with cleft lip, cleft palate and craniofacial deformities in Khammouane and nearby provinces.

On this occasion Dr. Ounsida expressed his appreciation to medical professionals for their dedication and strong collaboration, and also his gratitude to Prof. Chowchuen for financial aid for medical treatment.

This important collaboration enables Lao patients to increase their confidence in their daily lives, and improve their communication and overall quality of life.

 

 

Sources: https://pr.moph.go.th/index.php?url=pr/detail/2/03/190265/

https://fb.watch/k8CAV2DSaO/

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

KKU-MD welcomes exchange students from Fujita Health University, Japan

 

On April 3, 2023, KKU-MD welcomed 3 sixth year exchange students from Fujita Health University, Japan: Miss Mizuna Wakahara to our Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Mr. Kosuke Sumi and Mr. Takamoto Bando to our Department of Orthopedics.

The 4-week program (April 4 to 27, 2023) was organized under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fujita Health University and KKU-MD and relates to the first Faculty Strategic Issue on “Go International”.

At their Orientation Day the students were introduced to our faculty and programs via a campus tour, supervisor meetings, and city tour to visit famous attractions such as Wat Nong Waeng and Wat Thung Setthi.

 

KKU-MD welcomes exchange students from Wakayama Medical University, Japan

 

On April 3, 2023, KKU-MD welcomed 4 fifth year exchange students from Wakayama Medical University, Japan:

  1.  Mr. Takuto Hirata to Department of Emergency Medicine
  2.  Miss Hinako Tanaka to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  3.  Miss Mari Hayashi to Department of Surgery
  4.  Miss Isui Harie to Department of Surgery

The 4-week program (April 4 to 27, 2023) was organized under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Wakayama Medical University and KKU-MD and relates to the first Faculty Strategic Issue on “Go International”.

On the first day they attended a program orientation, a campus tour, supervisor meetings, and a Khon Kaen city tour including Wat Nong Waeng and Wat Thung Setthi temples.