Category: International Conference

The 43rd Annual Conference of the Anatomy Association of Thailand (AAT43) ran from 5-7 May 2021, co-hosted and organized by the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, and the Division of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, the Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, the College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University and the Anatomy Association of Thailand.   Due to COVID-19 restrictions the conference ran completely online.

Associate Professor Kowit Chaisiwamongkol, President of Anatomy Association of Thailand gave the welcome speech, while Assistant Professor Amnart Chaichun, Chair of the AAT43 Organizing Committee and Head of Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University gave a reporting speech and Associate Professor Dr. Chuchat Kamollerd, Dean of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University presided over the opening ceremony. The conference had global appeal, attracting over 200 medical staff, anatomists, researchers, and scientists from around the world.

Rapid technological change is affecting every area of anatomic sciences, and the co-hosts aimed to provide a dynamic opportunity for medical practitioners, anatomists, researchers, and scientists to share knowledge on the latest developments and future directions and explore potential collaborative opportunities.  The program included lectures, symposia, interactive technical seminars, panel discussions, oral and poster presentations.

This conference heard online specialist lectures from experts such as, Associate Professor S Thameem Dheen, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Professor Dr. Allan Pracey, University of Sheffield, UK, Professor Dr. Friedrich Paulsen, Friedrich–Alexander University Erlangen–Nürnberg, Germany, Professor Dr. Tracey Wilkinson, University of Dundee, UK and Associate Professor Kanokpan Wongprasert, Mahidol University, Thailand.

Written by Yada Lertkhajornsak

Edited by John Smith

On April 21, 2021, the Departments of Biochemistry, Surgery, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University (MDKKU) organized the first online Joint-Institute Forum (JIF) 1/2021 on the topic ‘Metabolome-Microbiome in Clinical Research’.

The welcome speech was given by Dr. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin- Assistant to the Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs, MDKKU “It is such a great opportunity to learn and share insights of metabolome and microbiome in several disease models and update on the advances of modern research methodologies that can be employed in the omics science for everyone”.

Following the opening ceremony, there was a talk by international expert Dr. Jia Li, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK on ‘Multi-Omics of Weight-Loss Surgery’, followed by,

Dr. Jutarop Petcharaburanin, Department of Biochemistry, on ‘Fecal Metabolome-Microbiome Panel Biomarkers in Cancer’,

Associate Professor Watcharin Loilome, Department of Biochemistry, on ‘Intratumoral Microbiome in Cholangiocarcinoma’, and, finally by

Dr. Kanokrat Thaiwatcharamas, Department of Surgery, on ‘Microbiome and Metabolome in Hirschsprung’s Disease’.

The first Joint-Institute Forum was successfully held with 129 participants from the educational and industrial sectors around the world.

Written by Kanokphorn H.

Edited by John Smith

On March 15-19, 2021 International Affairs organized the Spring Virtual Global Health Experience (Pilot program not-for-credit) in cooperation with University Study Abroad Consortium (USAC) and Clemson University, United State of America. The program was led by Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Assistant to the President for International Affairs, together with the faculty members from the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Dentistry, the Faculty of Nursing, and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences There were 14 Khon Kaen University students and 12 Clemson University students participating in this program.

On 15 March the topic was the Overview of Public Healthcare in Thailand, lectured by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supatra Chadbunchachai, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The second topic was Thailand’s Health System by Dr. Sauwanan Bumrerraj, MD, Faculty of Medicine.

On March 16 is the second day of the program starting with a lecture by Assist. Prof. Pattapong Kessomboon, Faculty of Medicine, about Primary Health Care and examples of primary care units in Khon Kaen. The second topic was Primary Health Care and Health Promotion and Prevention by Assist. Prof. Dr. Juraporn Tangpukdee, Faculty of Nursing. Moreover, the nursing students shared their knowledge about individual care patient care and community care.

On March 17, Assist. Prof. Dr. Teekayu Plangkoon Jorns from the Faculty of Dentistry gave a lecture on the topic of Oral Health Care in Thailand. There was also a lecture about community dentistry and dental education in Thailand by a 6th year student from the Faculty of Dentistry. The second lesson was Thai Traditional Medicine and Thai Herbs by Assist. Prof Dr. Srisomporn Preprame from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

On March 18 began the lesson by Assist. Prof. Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the topic about Community Pharmacist in Thailand. It also describes the role of Pharmacists in drugstores. An example of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention was shared by Ms. Nadthatida Hansuri, a pharmacist from Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The last day of the program was an activity for both Khon Kaen University students and Clemson University students to share their visions, presented what they have learnt the past four days, and reflected their knowledge from the programs. The lecturers joined the activity to give feedback and reflect on the students learning outcomes.

The Spring Virtual Global Health Experience (Pilot program not-for-credit) is a short-term online teaching and learning pilot course which was highly successful. Following this first performance, Khon Kaen University plans to expand to virtual courses in different fields including academic activities such as training of professional experiences (internship), exchange program, training program, and mobility program etc.

Support content : https://iad.kku.ac.th/news.php?id=766&lang=en

The Faculty of Medicine together with Palliative Care Center, Srinagarind Hospital, had held International Conference on “How to Set up Medical Cannabis Clinic within Supportive and Palliative Care Centers and Cannabis in Oncology and Palliative Care” at Science Museum Park, Khon Kaen.

Thailand had just released the bill that allows cannabis to be use for medical purpose together with Thai health department have issued a suggestion that every hospital should have a clinic that takes care of cannabis case. But soon, there is a shortage of human resources with enough knowledge to operate this clinic.

For this reason, Khon Kaen University and Srinagarind Hospital had to cooperate with Sante Cannabis and McGill University, Canada, to set up this international conference and invite nearby hospital personal to join.  Associate Professor Antonio Vigano, Department of Oncology and Medicine and Ms. Virginie Bacis, Nurse Coordinator Medical Cannabis Program, McGill University Health Centre, Canada who were well-known experts on medical cannabis were the speakers of the conference. Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University had presided over the opening ceremony and delivered a special lecture on KKU cannabis policy. The conference was a success with over 300 participants from various health organizations.

In addition, McGill University and Khon Kaen University agreed to work together in research projects and cannabis clinic establishment. Professor Srivieng Pairojkul, Head, Palliative Care Center, Srinagarind Hospital; Professor Pewpan Maleewong, Assistant to the President for Research and Academic Services and Professor Thidarut Boonmars, Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise were the main coordinator in developing academic and research collaboration with McGill University.

Reported by: Natakon Naowarojna, International Relations Officer

Digital University Development office, affiliating to Department of International Affairs, collaborates with Faculty of Medical Sciences and Faculty of Dentistry to conduct international conference on “Head and Neck Oncology.” The conference held between November 7-8, 2019 welcomes about 200 guests comprising of students and professors from international universities including; Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Harvard Medical School and the universities from The Netherlands, The Philippines, and Indonesia.

On November 7, 2019, the opening ceremony was conducted with the presence of Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul (MD), an acting president of KKU, who delivered a welcome remark to the participants. The ceremony was chaired by Dr. Narongchai Akaraseranee, a president of KKU Council. The conference highlights medical updates on interdisciplinary approaches against head and throat cancers. Listed below are names of the 12 Thai and international trainers attended different sessions of the conference:

– Dr. Lori J. Wirth, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA

– Dr. Derrick T. Lin, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA

– Dr. Maria J. Troulis, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, USA

– Dr. James F. McIntyre, Massachusetts General Hospital/North Shore Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, USA

– Dr. William C. Faquin, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA

– Asst. Prof. Aumkhae Sookprasert, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

– Asst. Prof. Patravoot Vatanasapt, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

– Asst. Prof. Palakorn Surakunprapha, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

– Dr. Suthin Jinaporntham, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University

– Prof. Marlinda Adham, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia

– Prof. Cees A. Meeuwis, Erasmus MC–Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, The Netherlands

– Prof. Alfredo Pontejos, Department of Otolaryngology, University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines

This conference was held partially to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Faculty of Dentistry and to mark the university’s attempt to broadcast its name to the international academy. The conference was also aimed to help foster collaboration among international specialists on the measures to be taken against the life-threatening diseases of head and throat cancers.

The Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University in association with the Faculty of Medicine: Prince of Songkla University, Chiang Mai University and the Collaborating Project to Increase Production of Rural Doctors (CPIRD) hosted an annual conference – Joint International Medical Education Symposium 2019 KKU-PSU-CMU-CPIRD on November 4-5, 2019 on the topic of “Practical Keys to Teaching and Assessing Clinical Reasoning Skills” at the Convention Hall 3, AVANI Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre, Khon Kaen, Thailand. This year, the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University took responsibility as an organizer, and was honored by Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Khon Kaen University to deliver an opening remarks and Associate Professor Kamonwan Jenwitheesuk, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University to deliver an opening remarks.

Keynote speakers of the conference are from different prestigious medical institutes of the world including Baylor College of Medicine: Associate Professor Satid Thammasitboon – Director of Center for Research, Innovation and Scholarship in Medical Education, Assistant Professor Brian Rissmiller – Associate Residency Program Director and Assistant Professor Moushumi Sur Associate Fellowship Program Director, and Boston University School of Medicine: Professor Joeseph Rencic, Director of Integrated Cases and Clinical Reasoning. And delegates – medical instructors from medical institutes around the country such as Collaborating Project to Increase Production of Rural Doctors (CPIRD), Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, and others.

In the evening of the first-day conference, the reception dinner was honoured by Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, Director of Srinagarind Hospital to deliver an opening address, then presenting speakers with tokens of appreciation. He also watched a cultural dance and contemporary music performance from medical students of the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, which made this event a wonderful night.