Category: Internaitonal Visitor

On January 31, 2023, the Faculty of Medicine welcomed Professor Shinji Nakahara, Professor Moriko Shiramizu, and Professor Ryoko Okui, overseas visiting professors from the School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Service, Japan, to our faculty.

The visit was scheduled between January 31 and February 2, 2023. The objectives were: 1) to learn diabetes care system in Thailand, and 2) to learn the roles of advanced nurses in Thailand.

On this occasion, they visited the Nursing Division, the Diabetes Mellitus Clinic, the Hemodialysis Department, and the Internal Medicine Ward. In addition, they discussed DM care system, self-management support for DM patients, and roles of advanced nursing care for DM patients, cancer patients, older adult patients and chronic kidney disease patients.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

On February 2, 2023, Associate Professor Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs, welcomed delegates from the University of Health Sciences, Lao PDR, to our faculty. The delegates were:

1. Dr. Bounthom Samountry, President
2. Dr. Phouvang Sengmeaung, Dean, Faculty of Medicine
3. Dr. Alongkone Phengsavanh, Vice Dean, Faculty of Medicine
4. Dr. Sounantha Souvanhlasy, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy
5. Dr. Molina Choummanivong, Director, Office of Administrative Affairs
6. Dr. Souksavanh Phanhpaseuth, Dean, Faculty of Nursing
7. Dr. Sourideth Sengchanh, Head, Department of Pediatrics
8. Dr. Chanpheng Pathana, Head, Department of International Relations
9. Dr. Chitdavone Her, Lecturer, Faculty of Pharmacy
10. Dr. Khamtim Samountry, Vice Dean, Faculty of Public Health

On this occasion they discussed the development of collaborative-research and clinical skills development projects between the two institutions.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

On February 2, 2023, Associate Professor Kamonwan Jenwitheesuk, MD, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University shared information on MD-KKU’S academic developments with Dr. Bounthom Samountry, the President of the University of Health Sciences. Lao PDR, and his colleagues.

The presentation was entitle “Journey and Transformation of Advanced Clinical Teaching of MD KKU”.  This MD KKU transformation began in 2014 aiming at the universal standards of World Federation of Medical Education (WFME).  Three learning centers were also recently established to mark the 50^th anniversary of MD-KKU;

• Clinical Skill Laboratory as a learning center for medical students.
• Simulation Center is a learning center for postgraduate students to practice their skills with patients.
• Advance Skill Learning Center for cadaveric education 

Colleagues of Dr. Bounthom Samountry, President, UHS included:

1. Dr. Phouvang Sengmeaung, Dean, Faculty of Medicine
2. Dr. Alongkone Phengsavanh, Vice Dean, Faculty of Medicine
3. Dr. Sounantha Souvanhlasy, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy
4. Dr. Molina Choummanivong, Director, Office of Administrative Affairs
5. Dr. Souksavanh Phanhpaseuth, Dean, Faculty of Nursing
6. Dr. Sourideth Sengchanh, Head, Department of Pediatrics
7. Dr. Chanpheng Pathana, Head, Department of International Relations
8. Dr. Chitdavone Her, Lecturer, Faculty of Pharmacy
9. Dr. KhamTim Samountry, Vice Dean of Faculty Public Health

On January 24, 2023, Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, welcomed Professor David Wong, MD, an expert from the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada, to our faculty.

Professor Wong has participated in the MD–KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Department of Anesthesiology between January 23 and 28, 2023. The visit’s objectives are to provide academic sessions and clinical teaching on airway management, and to seek possible collaborative research opportunities and agreements between our institutions. The specific objectives are:

1. To contribute to academic and clinical teaching on the management of respiratory tract or airway or respiratory system for pediatric and adult patients who either undergo general anesthesia (GA) or have airway management problems with emphasis on airway ultrasonography, emergency front-of-neck access, supra-glottic airway-guided intubation and apneic oxygenation;

2. To develop co-research project(s) on airway management in order to help promote specialization and potential of our staff on airway research, which is a critical clinical knowledge area for the department;

3. To provide opportunities for medical staff and residents in the Departments of Anesthesiology and Otorhinolaryngology to share their opinions and knowledge, and to practice their English skills.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

On January 9, 2023, Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and Associate Professor Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs, welcomed Professor Brooke Hallowell, PhD, an expert from the School of Health Sciences, Springfield College, USA, to our faculty.

Professor Hallowell participated in the MD–KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Department of Otorhinolaryngology between January 9 and 10, 2023 as an invited speaker at the “Speech Management in People with Aphasia and Related Disorders” hybrid conference organized by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. The visit’s objectives were: 1) to provide speech-language pathologists and graduate students in Communication Disorders program with knowledge and state-of-the-art clinical practices, and 2) to exchange experience in terms of speech therapy for people with aphasia and related disorders.

On this occasion Assistant Professor Supawan Laohasiriwong, MD, Deputy Head of Department of Otorhinolaryngology, also attended with Professor Benjamas Prathanee, PhD, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and the project chairperson. They discussed the development of collaborative-research and clinical skills development projects between the two institutions.

During her visit, Professor  Hallowell delivered special lectures and workshops on Acquired Neurogenic Communication Sciences and Disorder: CSD (Aphasia and Related Disorders), Life Participation Approach to Aphasia and Related Challenges, Strengths-Based Diagnosis and Evaluation of Aphasia and Related Disorders, Clinical Problem Solving in Diagnosis and Evaluation, Clinical Approaches to Speech Therapy in People with Aphasia and Related Disorders, and Global Engagement (Research Clinical Practice, Education, Service).

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun
Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On December 8, 2022, the Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs (Associate Professor Wimorat Sriraj, MD), welcomed Dr. Yuichiro Morishita, MD, PhD, Dr. Hiroaki Sakai, MD, PhD, and Dr. Tetsuo Hayashi, MD, PhD, experts from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Spinal Injuries Center, JAPAN, to our Faculty.

These experts participated in the MD–KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Department of Orthopedics between December 7 and 8, 2022.   The visit’s objectives were 1) To explore future collaborative research possibilities between our two institutions on Spinal Injury Research, and 2) for visitors share academic knowledge as invited speakers at the “Spinal injury and spinal cord injury” conference organized by our Department of Orthopedics.

On this occasion the Head of Department of Orthopedics (Associate Professor Taweechoke Visanuyothin, MD), also attended this meeting with four other department staff of the Department: Associate Professor Surachia Sae–jung, MD, Associate Professor Kriangkrai Wittayapairoj, MD, Associate Professor Permsak Paholpak, MD, and, Dr. Kittipong Wittayapairoj, MD.

They discussed on the future development of collaborative-research and clinical skills development projects between the two institutions.

MD-KKU has a policy for promoting international academic standards by supporting Visiting International Faculty through its “Overseas Visiting Professors” administered by International Relations Office.  We would like to express our appreciation to key people involved in these internationalization activities.

Written by Duangsamorn Chankwang

English editing by Professor John F. Smith

On November 15, 2022, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD) and Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs (Associate Professor Wimorat Sriraj, MD), welcomed Professor Reza Alaghehbandan, MD, MSc (Epi), FRCPC, FCAP, FACE, FIAC, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA, to the Faculty.  Professor Alaghehbandan participated in the MD-KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Department of Pathology between November 7 and 17, 2022.   

On this occasion the Head of Department of Pathology (Assistant Professor Sukkarn Sangkhamanon, MD), also attended with two other MD-KKU clinical staff who have completed further specialty training at the Cleveland Clinic:

1) Dr. Vivian Klungboonkrong, MD, who held Graduate Research Fellowship in vascular and body radiology intervention there, and

2) Associate Professor Vichai Senthong, MD, who was a Clinical Fellow in Cardiovascular Medicine.

The Dean and Professor Reza and participants had a discussion on the development of collaborative-research and clinical skills development projects between the two institutions in the future.  

During his visit, Professor Reza Alaghehbandan delivered special lectures and workshops on Surgical Pathology and Cytology in our Department of Pathology, MD-KKU.  He used interactive techniques to teach reading and interpretation of pathological slides to classes of more than thirty participants each time.  He also had academic discussions and supervised laboratory skills training in anatomical pathology with pathology residents with interests in breast, genito-urinary system, and gynecology.

MD-KKU has a policy for promoting international academic standards by supporting Visiting International Faculty through its “Overseas Visiting Professors” administered by International Relations Office.  We would like to express our appreciation to key people involved in these internationalization activities, including: Associate Professor Supinda Koonmee, Assistant Professor Sakda Wara-asawapati, Dr. Chaiwat Aphivatanasiri, and others.  Written by Duangsamorn Chankwang, Head of International Relations Office. English Editor: Professor John F. Smith.

H.E. Mr. Allan McKinnon PSM, Australian Ambassador to Thailand paid his first official visit to Khon Kaen University on 31 March 2022. He met with Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University and other KKU administrators to discuss the feasibility of further academic collaboration between Australian universities and Khon Kaen University such as student exchange programs, human resource developments, and research.

Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University was one of the KKU administrators to welcome and discuss the collaboration between MDKKU and the Australian universities. He said, “As an alumnus of Australia, I have a great pleasure and honor to welcome H.E. Mr. Allan McKinnon to Khon Kaen University today. I look forward to giving full support, in my capacity as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, to make our collaboration with Australia fruitful”.

KKU also welcomed two senior staff from the Australian Embassy who accompanied the Ambassador, Ms. Anita Wise, Second Secretary for Political Affairs and Mr. Chanapat Maneedul, Senior Staff on Political Affairs.

The meeting was held in the Sarasin Meeting Room, KKU, and the following administrators also joined the discussion:

1. Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President KKU

2. Associate Professor Nawarat Wara-Aswapati, Vice President for International Affairs

3. Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, Dean, Faculty of Medicine

4. Associate Professor Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Dean, College of Local Administration

5. Associate Professor Jureerat Daduang, Dean, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences

6. Associate Professor Darunee Jothityangkoon, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture

7. Associate Professor Pensri Jaroenwanit, Dean, Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy (KKBS)

8. Dr. Ploypailin Kikasiwat, Asistant Dean for International and Communication Affairs, Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy (KKBS)

9. Assistant Professor Sirimonbhorn Thipsingh, Dean, Khon Kaen University International College

10. Assistant Professor Chavis Ketkaew, Associate Dean for Strategy, Research, and International Affairs, Khon Kaen University International College

11. Associate Professor Teekayu Plangkoon Jorns, Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Studies and International Affairs, Faculty of Dentistry

12. Assistant Professor Thanapauge Chamaratana, Assistant to the Dean for Academic and International Affairs, the Faculty of Humanities and Sochoal Sciences

13. Mrs. Wilawan Ungsunantawiwat, Acting Director, International Affairs Division

on February 24, 2022, Associate Professor Wimonrat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Affairs, MD, welcomed Dr. Andrea Grillo from the Italian Society of Nephrology and Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest Local Health Unit Northwest Tuscany, Italy, to a meeting with colleagues from MD-KKU Chronic Kidney Disease Research Team.

The meeting, held in Kawee Tungsubutr Meeting Room, MD-KKU, was to exchange and compare academic knowledge and management of Kidney Disease prevention for populations in the northeast region of Thailand and in Meso, or, Central America Continent: Nicaragua.

The meeting discussed possibilities for cooperative research projects between relevant teams across Thailand, Italy, and Nicaragua.

Speakers at the meeting were:

1. Dr. Andrea Grillo, PhD, on “CKD in Nicaragua”,
2. Associate Professor Sirirat Anutrakulchai, MD, CKD Research Group, MD-KKU, on KKU “CKD Net”, and
3. Assistant Professor Dr. Ubol Cha-on, CKD Research Group, MD-KKU, on “Community/ Basic research to detect the root of problems and for sustainable correction”

Others Thai delegates who participated in the meeting were:

1) Dr. Jutarop Petcharaburanin, MBBS, PhD, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relations

2) Professor John F. Smith, PhD, International Relations Office

3) Professor Somchai Pinlaor, PhD, Parasitology Department

4) Dr. Amod Sharma, PhD, CKD Research Group

5) Assist. Prof. Dr. Ratthaphol  Kraiklang from the Public Health Faculty, Khon Kaen University.

6) Dr. Apinya Jusakul, from the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University.

7) Dr. Apisit Chaidee, from the Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University.

Here is a news link about KKU’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS): Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention in the Northeast of Thailand (CKDNET) https://www.kku.ac.th/12104.

Reported by Duangsamorn Chankwang, IR Office, MD-KKU

Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University recently welcomed Professor Piotr (Peter) Sicinski, MD, PhD, Department of Genetics, and Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Ferber Cancer Institute, Harvard University, USA, to MD-KKU.  Professor Sicinski visited Khon Kaen between 9 and 13, 2022, as an overseas visiting professor in the Division of Research and International Relations Affairs.  During his visit he was the keynote speaker on “Cell cycle machinery in development and in cancer” at the Joint symposium of Prince Mahidol Award Youth Program (PMAYP) and eAsia Meeting on “Targeting cell cycle for precision treatment of cancer” and “Advanced technology for cancer research”.  He also gave a special talk on “How a medical doctor came to be outstanding scientist” and contributed to “Meet the mentor” supervisory round table discussion.  Professor Sicinski to MD-KKU give our medical students valuable opportunity to interact with a world class clinician/ researcher, to stimulate their future medical practice and research.

Associate Professor Wimonrat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Affairs, Professor Sopit Wongkham, Associate Professor Atith Silsirivanit, Acting Head of Department of Biochemistry, and Dr. Jarupong Saengboonmee, Department of Biochemistry, MD-KKU, also participated the joint symposium.

At a business meeting on February 11, 2022, Dean Apichat Jiravuttipong and Professor Peter Sicinski, discussed:

• the development of collaborative research between MD-KKU and Dana-Farbor Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, with Professor Peter Sicinski and Dr. Jarupong Saengboonmee as Principal Investigators.
• the development of a joint course between MD-KKU and Harvard Medical School. Fortunately, Professor Peter is the Director of that particular course at Harvard Medical School.
• the Dean also arranged for Professor Sicinski to visit the Kidney Dialysis Unit in the HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Memorial Building in Srinagarind Hospital.

Professor Sicinski also have discussed with Associate Dean for Research and International Relations approaches for promoting medical students’ research skills.  Reported by Duangsamorn Chankwang, IR Office, MD-KKU