Category: Internaitonal Collaboration

On April 26, 2024, at the Sirikunakorn Building’s Sirikunakorn 5^th Meeting Room on the 6^th floor, Assoc. Prof. Pattarapong Makarawate, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Khon Kaen University (MD-KKU), welcomed H.E. Jean-Claude POIMBOEUF, the Ambassador of France to Thailand, along with a delegation from the Embassy of France.

During the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Makarawate and H.E. Ambassador Jean-Claude POIMBOEUF explored exciting opportunities for academic collaboration, including training programs, student and staff exchanges, and research partnerships with institutions in France. These discussions aimed to enhance MD-KKU’s capabilities and position it as a leading Medical Hub, delivering excellent healthcare services to the people of Northeastern Thailand and the Mekong Sub-region.

Representatives from Khon Kaen University, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nawarat Wara–Aswapati, Vice President for International Affairs, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Acharawan Topark–ngarm, Assistant Vice President for International Affairs, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Orathai Piayura, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, joined in extending a warm welcome and engaging in productive discussions with H.E. Jean-Claude POIMBOEUF. This collaborative effort marks a significant leap towards fostering impactful partnerships between Khon Kaen University and France, emphasizing collaboration in key academic and strategic areas.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun & Waratchaya Rachpoochai

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On April 23, 2024, delegates from Eastern International University (EIU), Vietnam visited the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University to discuss the feasibility of collaboration between EIU and MDKKU in the future. The delegates included:

1. Mr. Nguyen Tan Loi, Chairman
2. Mr. Ngo Minh Duc, President
3. Mr. Le kgoc Huan, Director, Industry 4.0 Innovation Center (IIC)
4. Mr. Kieu Manh Kha, Director, Office of International Affairs (OIA)
5. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hung, Vice Dean, School of Engineering (SOE)
6. Mr. Huynh Tan Phoc, Vice Dean, School of Computing and Information Technology (CIT)
7. Mr. Tran Van Tai, School of Computing and Information Technology (CIT)
8. Mr. Phan The Anh, Becamex Business School (BBS)
9. Mr. Nguyen Thuan Phu, Manager, Vietnam Singapore Innovation Center (VSIC)

Associate Professor Pattarapong Makarawate, Dean of Faculty of Medicine; Associate Professor Ongart Somintara, Vice Dean for Administration; Associate Professor Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication; Associate Professor Daris Theerakulpisut, Assistant for International Relations and Corporate Communication; Associate Professor Warachaya Phanpruk, Assistant for International Relations and Corporate Communication; Dr. Nantaporn Wongsurawat, Assistant for Academic Affairs; and Dr. Parichat Tanmit, Department of Surgery, welcomed the delegates and joined the discussion.

The discussion included the possibility of providing a training program for Vietnamese doctors in various subspecialties including Transcatheter Aortic Implantation (TAVI), endovenous laser varicose vein surgery, and peripheral vascular interventions. Additionally, the discussion also covered cooperation in developing the medical curriculum for the School of Medicine of  EIU,  hosting  a team of EIU staff to study  MDKKU curriculum teaching methods.

GIving souvenirs

In the afternoon, the delegates also visited the MDKKU Department of Surgery, including visiting operating rooms and surgical patient wards, to study academic and medical service practices. This was aimed at improving and developing hospitals within the Becamex group in the future.

Khon Kaen University with the Thai Society for Head and Neck Oncology and the Asian Society of Head and Neck Oncology recently hosted the International Conference on Head & Neck Oncology 2024: Precision Approach in Management of Head and Neck Cancer. The conference was held between February 1 and 2, 2024 at Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid Hotel with featured speakers from the United States, South Korea, Netherlands, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand.

The event was organized by KKU International Affairs Division and Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry with over 100 local and international participants. It aimed to promote internationalization, support learning, and facilitate collaborative opportunities between medical specialists, medical science researchers, fellows, residents, and support professionals in this field. It also marked a milestone in the celebration of the 60^th anniversary of Khon Kaen University’s establishment.

Over 100 local and international conference participants

In the opening ceremony, Professor Patravoot Vatanasapt, the President of Asian Society of Head and Neck Oncology (ASHNO) deliver a welcome speech to the delegates.

“We at Khon Kaen University have targeted head and neck cancer problems with extensive research, expanding healthcare services, and medical specialist development for the benefit of people in the regional community,” reported Professor Vatanasapt.

“We see this event as a platform for the participants to learn and exchange advanced knowledge with world-renowned professionals on precision management in head and neck cancers, a significant strategy in Khon Kaen University’s drive towards the goal of sustainability,” he added.

Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University then presided over the opening ceremony and delivered an opening speech to extend his warmest welcome to all participants gathered for the Conference.

“This exchange of Eastern and Western insights and practices on head and neck oncology promises to serve as a valuable forum for enhancing our comprehension of precision medicine in this specialty,” said Professor Panthongviriyakul.

“I invite you to immerse yourselves in the International Conference on Head & Neck Oncology 2024 and to enjoy both an enlightening conference experience and the hospitality of our city of Khon Kaen,” he added.

Opening speech by Professor Panthongviriyakul, KKU President

Welcome speech by Professor Vatanasapt, the President of ASHNO

Keynote presentations were given by invited speakers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Harvard Medical School, USA as follows; “New Paradigm in Medical Oncology, from MDT to Precision Approach in Oropharyngeal Cancer” by Dr. Lori Wirth, “Precision Diagnosis of Head & Neck Cancer, the New HPV Testing Guidelines” by Dr. William Faquin and Dr. Peter Sadow, “Trans Oral Robotic Surgery, Who, When, and Why?” by Dr. Jeremy Richmon, “Cutting Edge in Radiation Oncology for Head & Neck Cancer: AI & SBRT” by Dr. James McIntyre, “Application of AI in Oncology” by Dr. Shawn Murphy, and “Clear Cell Odontogenic Carcinoma and Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Salivary Gland” by Dr. Maria Troulis.

KKU administrators and keynote speakers

There were parallel sessions with three breakout rooms to discuss topics including “Precision Surgery in Head and Neck Oncology,” “Implementing Precision Medicine in Head & Neck Oncology,” and “Tips and Tricks: Patient Registries and Computer Vision in Oncology.” There were also panel discussions on East vs West Perspectives on Head and Neck Cancer to develop collaborative research approaches to these issues.

Parallel sessions

Panel Discussion on East vs West Perspectives on Head & Neck Cancer

KKU was honored to host the International Conference on Head & Neck Oncology 2024. This international collaboration from head and neck oncology expert multidisciplinary teams provided a great opportunity for advancing clinical treatment quality for patients with head and neck cancers.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun and Thu Thu Han  

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

A KKU-MD delegation led by Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine visited Kumamoto University (KU) from June 7 to 11, 2023 for the purpose of educational collaboration extension. The delegation paid a courtesy call on Prof. Hisao Ogawa, KU President, and met KU School of Medicine researchers and physicians.

Kumamoto University is one of the oldest universities in Japan and supports a wide range of educational and research activities. KKU and KU signed an academic exchange agreement in 2004 to promote friendship and academic exchanges, especially in the fields of biology, health science, and medicine. In 2016 a Double Degree Program (DDP) agreement for doctoral degree between KU Graduate School of Medical Sciences and KKU-MD was initiated. The first KKU-MD student graduated from this program in 2023.

During the visit the delegation discussed cooperative achievements of graduate student and researcher exchanges, the DDP between KU and KKU-MD Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology programs, and the next collaborative project for potential DDP students. The discussions also included academic cooperation to provide KKU medical students, residents, graduate students, and faculty staff opportunities to visit and exchange with KU.

The KKU delegation also visited KU hospital’s medical services and toured their International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS) facilities meeting KKU exchange students there and many medical researchers. This visit strengthened KKU-MD’s cooperative relationships with KU in collaborative research and education development. It is hoped that the visit enhances KKU’s human resources capacity to contribute medical problem solving capacity not only at national but also global level.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

KKU Phenome Centre together with Faculty of Medicine hosted the 2^nd 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

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 

On December 15, 2022, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Wimonrat Sriraj welcomed a delegation from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (ULM), Indonesia to the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, for discussion on opportunities for collaboration and MOA establishment. The ULM delegation included Dr. Mohammad Bakhriansyah, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. r. Istiana, Vice Dean for Financing and General Affairs, Dr. Agianto, Head of Cooperation and Public Relation Unit, Dr. dr. Meitria Syahadatina Noor, Director of Public Health Master Program, Vina Yulia Anhar, Cooperation and Public Relation Unit, Henry Setiawan, Coordinator of Nurse Profession, and Bernadetta Germia Aridamayanti, Cooperation and Public Relation Unit.

The participants from MDKKU included Assoc. Prof. Wimonrat Sriraj, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs, Asst. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs, Prof. Kwanchanok Yimtae, Director of Academic Clinical Research Office (ACRO), Mrs. Duangsamorn Chankwang, Head of International Relations Office, and Prof. John F Smith, English Specialist.

“At the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, we see strategic partnerships as the best way to increase the effectiveness and impact of our activities. Therefore, we are looking forward to strengthening our collaboration with the Universitas Lambung Mangkurat,” Assoc. Prof. Wimonrat Sriraj said.

Dr. Mohammad Bakhriansyah said he was pleased and excited about the cementing the collaboration with MDKKU.

ULM and MDKKU agreed to set up a student and staff exchange program with MDKKU agreeing to accept medical students and doctors from ULM for the clinical observership training program at Srinagarind Hospital for between 1-3 months.

After the discussion, Prof. Kwanchanok Yimtae, Director of ACRO presented the research services of ACRO and Asst. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin presented the services of Khon Kaen University International Phenome Laboratory to ULM delegation.

ULM delegation also visited the Platform Advanced Laboratory led by Asst. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, the Simulations Center led by Assoc. Prof. Rattapon Uppala, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, and Department of Emergency Medicine led by Dr. Thanat Tangpaisarn.

Universitas Lambung Mangkurat y (ULM) is conveniently located in North Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. It is the oldest and biggest university in Kalimantan, and is based in South Kalimantan, with two campuses; one in Banjarmasin, and the other in Banjarbaru. The Banjarmasin campus is only 10 minutes from downtown, and around 45 minutes from Syamsuddin Noor Airport. The other campus, located in Banjarbaru, is only 15 minutes from Syamsudin Noor Airport.