International Relations Office Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
“Teikyo University Hospital has a good reputation for interventional radiology, which makes me want to observe and see new technologies, as well as the work of doctors in Japan.”
On March 5, 2024, MDKKU welcomed two public health master’s students, Elvira and Kaia, from Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Norway to the Tropical Disease Research Center (TDRC). Both are involved in the multi-country project named “Pandemic Literacy and Viral Zoonotic Spillover Risk at the Frontline of Disease Emergence in Southeast Asia to Improve Pandemic Preparedness (PANDASIA).” Their research is under the supervision of Dr. Hans Overgaard, the Project leader who holds a joint appointment with MDKKU and NMBU.
They met with Professor Dr. Banchob Sripa, Director of KKU-TDRC, along with Dr. Overgaard, Assoc. Prof. Sirikachorn Tangkawattana, KKU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and TDRC staff, and discussed research and plans for field work in hi-risk communities.
PANDASIA is investigating potential pandemic drivers along nature-rural-urban gradients through a comprehensive collection of social and biological data and predictive modelling of zoonotic spillover rates and disease emergence in high-risk settings in Thailand and Lao PDR.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
“I feel very fortunate to have this chance to be able to have great friends across the globe”
“My experience involved a combination of hands-on clinical practice and theoretical learning, aiming to understand and implement effective strategies for addressing the needs of an aging population in Thailand.”
Five medical exchange students from Nagoya City University and Wakayama Medical University recently completed electives at MDKKU during February 2024. They were based in different departments including Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics, and Surgery.
“KKU Staff took very good care of us with excellent clinical internships,” said a Nagoya City University student. “Professors and Thai medical students immediately translated what patients said in Thai to English and then they explained it to me and they also took us to the cafeteria after class and introduce us to Thai food,” he added.
They were also excited with many new clinical experiences and systems and enjoyed their clinical class with some rare cases they have never experienced before.
“I was really surprised to see that the medical school system is completely different from Japan,” said a Wakayama Medical University student. “I was able to see the difference between the tests conducted on pregnant women in Thailand and Japan, and I was glad to be able to study a rare disease in Japan like Thalassemia,” she added.
Overall, they considered they had very impressive medical exchange experiences and enjoyed learning about the people, activities, cultures, food, and places in Khon Kaen. Although they initially met language barriers, they met a lot of kindness with people helping them to communicate in many situations both inside and outside of the classroom.
We are very delighted to welcome and congratulate all of them.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
MDKKU congratulates Thannathon Nameephol, a fourth-year Medical Illustration student, on receiving a Spring 2024 Young Southeast Asian leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship scholarship. The scholarship will allow him to explore the role that environmental policy has played in the economic and political development of the United States at University of Montana, USA between April 17 and May 22, 2024. The scholarship is granted by the U.S. Department of State and YSEALI.
The YSEALI Academic Fellowship is an intensive short-term academic program whose purpose is to provide groups of young leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States and a particular theme, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
“The professors and teachers were generous, treating me as their medical student and assisting me with my studies.”
MD-KKU recently welcomed third-year Associate Degree students from the Medical Laboratory Program at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Puthisastra, Cambodia for an exchange program at Diagnostic Microscopic Laboratory, Srinagarind Hospital between November 24 and December 1, 2023.
They had many clinical learning experiences through the exchange program including a lecture on the structure and operational procedures of the Diagnostic Microscopic Laboratory. They also visited many places such as Specimen Center Unit, Clinical Diagnostic Microscopy Unit, Clinical Diagnostic Chemist and Immunology Unit, Clinical Microbiology Unit, Molecular Unit, Andrology Lab Unit, and Srinagarind Excellent Lab Unit.
On the final day, they gave presentations reflecting on and sharing their experiences. They learned a lot and were challenged during their visit. For instance, studying abroad gave them more independence, learning how self-management is crucial especially time, financial, and task management. However, they faced language barriers. To survive in Thailand, they had to not only practice English but also learn basic Thai communication skills.
Although they were many challenges during the visit, they were very useful learning experiences. They gained new clinical experience and knowledge that can be applied to their future careers as well as practicing foreign language communication skills.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
MD-KKU’s Department of Medicine recently welcomed Dr. Takeharu Oda, a resident from Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Japan on a one-week staff exchange program at the Division of Cardiology from November 27 to December 1, 2023.
Dr. Oda’s visit to KKU was under a MOU to promote academic and medical research collaborations between MD-KKU and overseas universities by exchanging doctors, nurses, and medical students. His visit’s objective was to gain medical knowledge and skills for keeping up with future challenges in medical situations and health services provision.
During his visit, he appreciated the knowledge and experience he gained with our medical staff:
“I have such great memories with KKU doctors because they taught me a lot about Cardiology in English that can be helpful to me. It was easy to understand and communicate with them during my visit,” said Dr. Oda.
“KKU doctors are very educational, so this is why you should come on exchange with them,” he recommended.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith
MD-KKU’s Department of Anesthesiology recently welcomed Assistant Professor Hirotaka Okuda, MD, PhD, a physician anesthesiologist from the Department of Anesthesiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine on a one-week medical exchange from November 20 to 24, 2023.
Professor Okuda is currently practicing anesthesia at St.Marianna University Hospital. His career is driven by a genuine desire to assist surgical patients through the challenge of perioperative management, minimizing nociceptive reaction during surgery, providing postoperative analgesia, adequate airway and circulation managements for surgical patients.
His visit to KKU was to learn from foreign hospital practice, gaining fresh insights and experiences that can enhance his professional journey. He was particularly interested in observing and understanding the operational dynamics of healthcare systems in different countries.
During his visit, he gained invaluable knowledge and experience that can help shaping the future of his own practice and deepening the exchange between MD-KKU and St.Marianna University:
“The KKU hospital has so many patients that I can see many cases, so I can have a good experience even if I stayed for a short time,” said Professor Okuda.
“I also ate a lot of local food and everything was delicious. I definitely want to study here again,” he added.
Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith