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 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.
Khon Kaen University is delighted to announce the participation of Dr. Prisilla Desfiandi, MD, from Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, in our Academic Exchange Program.
Dr. Prisilla Desfiandi, a dedicated Orthopaedic and Traumatology resident, will embark on an enriching international experience at Khon Kaen University in Thailand from June 1 to June 30, 2024.
Currently in the sixth semester of residency, Dr. Prisilla Desfiandi brings a profound commitment to expanding medical knowledge and expertise across diverse settings. With a particular interest in pediatric orthopaedic cases, Dr. Prisilla Desfiandi is dedicated to delivering exemplary patient care, driven by a passion for excellence in Orthopaedics.
This academic exchange represents a pivotal opportunity for Dr. Prisilla Desfiandi to advance in the field of Orthopaedic surgery through hands-on experience and cross-cultural learning. Their journey is marked by a steadfast dedication to patient care excellence and continuous professional development.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Prisilla Desfiandi as they join our academic community at Khon Kaen University.