Category: News

On behalf of His Majesty the King, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the Commencement Ceremony of Khon Kaen University for the year 2022

Photo Illustration: HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn bestowed an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Medical Biochemistry and Molecular-biology to Professor Norie ARAKI, on December 19, 2022

On December 20, 2022, the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University hosted the Congratulatory Ceremony for the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Medical Biochemistry and Molecular-biology awarded to Professor Norie ARAKI, Department of Tumor Genetics and Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Science, Kumamoto University, Japan.  The Venue was the Fah Mui Rooms 1-2, Pullman Raja Orchid Hotel, Khon Kaen. 

Participants at the Ceremony were Professor Professor Chanchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University, Associate Professor Apichat Jiravutthipong, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Professor Norie ARAKI, Professor Tomohiro ARAKI, Associate Professor Wimorat Sriraj, Associate Dean for Research and International Affairs, Professor Sopit Wongkham, and distingshed guests.

Photo Illustration: Baisi Ceremony (Thai blessing ceremony).

Associate Professor Apichat Jiravutthipong, express the Faculty’s congratulations to Professor Norie ARAKI on the award of her KKU Honorary Doctorate Degree in Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and our gratitude for the longstanding friendship between Kumamoto University and Khon Kaen University.  Professor Araki has been a key person in weaving the strong connection, not only between the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University and the Faculty of Medicine but also with other Faculties at Khon Kaen University, such as Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences.   For over twenty years, Professor Araki has put much effort into support our staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students from Khon Kaen University.

The Dean also expressed our deep gratitude to Professor Araki for her long-time support, collaboration, and generosity to our Faculty members and students.   And the hope that this warm friendship will endure and grow forever.

This congratulatory ceremony on December 20, 2022, was arranged by Department of Biochemistry and the Research and International Relations Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, KKU.

News written by Duangsamorn Chankwang, English Editing by Professor John F. Smith

As the Department of Community, Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand receives three grants for international students. Foreign students, who are interested in MSc in Occupational Medicine and Occupational Health (International program), Department of Community, Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand, please follow the instructions below. Remember to first submit the applications directly to the course director (Assoc. Prof. Naesinee Chaiear, naesinee@kku.ac.th) by April 30, 2022 prior to the formal application process.

If any further details require please feel free to get back to naesinee@kku.ac.th.

Procedures for application submission

1. The applicants submit the completed application forms to Assoc Prof Naesinee Chaiear (naesinee@kku.ac.th) directly by April 30, 2022 and then the documents will be reviewed by the curriculum committees. The eligible applicants will proceed their application to the official system as follow;

*The candidates must be nominated by the National Focal Point for International Development Cooperation (such as Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or by relevant central government agencies for which the nominated candidates currently work. Nomination must be in line with relevant rules and regulations of nominating countries/territories. The National Focal Point will forward the United Nations/Royal Thai Consulate-General accredited to eligible countries/territories.

Please prepare one original with two copies of each document as these following items:

*1. TIPP application form (Download at: https://tica-thaigov.mfa.go.th/en/page/75500-tipp-application-form?menu=605b13dbb6f1b76ed31778b3)

*2. Medical report (If candidate had submitted other health certification without the medical report form their application will not be accepted for consideration.)

*3. Transcript of Bachelor’s degree (to show the courses that have learnt throughout Bachelor’s degree)

*4. Certificate of Bachelor’s degree

*5. Recommendation Letter from at least 2 person (1 person per letter) e.g. university instructor, supervisor in the candidate’s organization, employer etc.

*6. English test score (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS) as required by the academic institution

*7. Other document as required by the academic institution (please see the course detail: subject “Document Required” for more information)

ALL forms are duly filled out and endorsed by the candidates’ supervisor and the National Focal Point for International Development Cooperation. All of related documents must be in English.

The documents number 1-6 are mandatory. If candidates fail to provide the specified document, their application will not be accepted for consideration.

Each of eligible countries/territories can nominate up to five candidates per academic programme.

2. The application procedure will complete when TICA has received the hard copy of the application form and other related documents through the Royal Thai Embassy/Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations/Royal Thai Consulate-General accredited to eligible countries/territories.

3. Application from should be summited to the Royal Thai Embassy/Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations/Royal Thai Consulate-General accredited to eligible countries/territories within May 15, 2022 respectively, in order to be sent to Thailand International Cooperation Agency before the application’s closing date.

Download : Application_Form_for_TIPP

The Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), is an autonomous Thai government agency that researches emerging health-related economic, social and political issues.  Its major objective is to achieve effective knowledge management for the Thai Health System.

On January 28, 2022, the HSRI held an online seminar entitled “Entering a new dimension in health system research and development”.

Assistant Professor Dr. Rosawan Areemit, pediatrician and lecturer, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, presented at the seminar on the topic of “Research Techniques: Professional Management Experience”. She shared knowledge on HSRI strategies, professional research techniques, and HSRI research proposal submissions for HSRI funding.

HSRI has continuously adjusted its operations to align with emerging priorities of the Thai public health system. Medicine and public health research plans to focus on the field of treatment screening, drug development and cancer reduction, rare diseases, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and pharmacogenomics groups. In addition, it aims to promote prevention and treatment   the development of the genomics medical industry, to strengthen the health-care system and respond to crises in a timely manner.

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD.

Retail health clinics are easily accessible walk-in clinics located in retail stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies that treat minor illnesses and provide preventative health care services. Retail health clinics are not intended to address urgent or severe issues but rather to address minor health issues at the patient’s convenience. These alternative treatment facilities allow patients to receive care outside of their primary care clinic’s restrictive office schedules and without having to visit a hospital.  Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University has recently established its first walk-in retail health clinic, MDKKU Service, in the center of Khon Kaen City at Central Plaza Mall.

Central Plaza Mall is working with MD KKU to support the provision these services in their retail center space.

The services provided by MDKKU Service include general disease checkups, prescribing and review of medications, COVID Immunity Test, medical certificates, blood tests for preliminary health check, regular vaccinations and scheduling of medical appointments. This first health service contact in a community setting will reduce hospital congestion and long waiting times there. Instead, MD KKU doctors will assess the symptoms first and coordinate the referral to Srinagarind, or, other hospitals, if necessary.

MDKKU Service is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., including holidays and public holidays. There will be a doctor from 3:30 p.m. every day.

Location: G floor, Central Plaza, Khon Kaen

For more information or to make an appointment phone 091-938 7686 or LINE ID: @759ngnvd (Available during business hours)

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD.

As the spread of COVID-19 has necessitated more stringent social distancing measures, drive-through services are assisting in resolving physical distancing issue.  There is no need to even leave one’s car, the risk of unnecessarily touching other items or surfaces is reduced with lowered risk of infection. Drive-through services are also quick and convenient, eliminating the need for customers to stay in one place for an extended period of time.

Current analysis of COVID-19 outbreak data shows that Omicron is very infectious but tends to have milder symptoms than earlier variants.  As a result, the trend is to focus primarily on vaccination, particularly in high-risk groups, in order to reduce mortality. Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen university recognizes the importance of COVID-19 vaccination, especially for bedridden patients or patients who require special assistance.  Srinagarind Hospital has launched a drive through vaccination service to facilitate vaccinations for these special groups of patients.

Srinagarind Hospital, has launched a COVID-19 vaccination service for bedridden patients, or, patients who require special assistance, as well as a drive-thru service for those who an advance appointment.

Srinagarind Hospital Drive–Thru vaccination information:

Available Dates:

January 24-25, 2022

January 27-28, 2022

Appointment process:

1. Appointment Booked: https://kku.world/vaccinedrivethru or QR code.
2. Get an appointment confirmation.
3. Arrive on the date and time of your appointment.

Inform the security guard to bring the car into the area that has been prepared.

Locations: Parking lot near the Library Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

(Google map: 16°28’11.6″N 102°49’45.8″E)

How to get to Medical Library KKU (Library of the Faculty of Medicine, KKU)

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact +66 (0)43363093

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD.

On January 19, 2022, Associate Professor Dr. Charnchai, KKU president and chairman of KKU’s COVID-19 Vaccination Committee, said KKU has achieved a very high vaccination rate among its students and staff. About 98 percent of KKU’s students and personnel are fully COVID vaccinated and are now receiving booster shots, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions and the elderly. Given this, KKU plans to return to onsite classes for the new semester beginning in May.

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) COVID-19 situation report indicates that the Delta variant is still the dominant strain in Thailand accounting for 70–80% of cases.  However, the Omicron variant is proving far more transmissible than Delta, and there is a rapidly increasing rate of Omicron cases detected in the country.  Despite the higher transmission rate, Omicron symptoms do not appear as severe as those of Delta. The DDC said most Omicron infections were asymptomatic, and the virus was mostly found in the windpipe.  The infected generally suffer from a cough, sore throat, fever, muscle pains, runny nose, headache, shortness of breath and temporary loss of smell.  For the earlier variants, Alpha, Beta and delta, patients will commonly experience fever, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, headache and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include shivering, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in the skin tone of fingers and toes, red eyes, rashes and temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste.

While Omicron appears to be less severe compared to Delta, especially in those vaccinated, it should not be categorized as mild.  Vaccination has proven to be one of the most effective public health strategies to avoid infection, or reduce symptom severity if infected.

The Education Ministry has announced measures for limiting COVID-19 spread in education institutions nationwide. Each institution is to conduct a “Thai Stop Covid Plus” assessment, to evaluate their COVID-19 control measures. They have to follow DMHT-RC (distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing, testing, reducing congestion and cleaning) and SSET-CQ (self-care, using serving spoons, eating freshly cooked meals, using a tracking system, check and quarantine) measures.  If students and/or education personnel test positive for Covid-19, the institutions have to strictly follow disease-control protocols and closely coordinate with health facilities. KKU is working with the provincial communicable disease committees, and strictly adheres to disease-control measures to ensure the safety of students and staff.  We look forward to onsite classes again as the situation stabilizes.

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD.

The results of the QS Asia University Rankings 2022 were announced on November 2, 2021.  From the 675 universities participating, Khon Kaen University was ranked as 5^th in Thailand and 133^rd in Asia.  It is also ranked #801-1000 in QS Global World Rankings 2022, and ranked 351–400 for Medicine.

Khon Kaen university is 5th top public university in Thailand

The QS Asia University Rankings are based on 11 key indicators including academic and employer reputations, the number of staff holding a PhD, and the percentage of international students. The methodology used to create the ranking is similar to that used to create the QS World University Rankings, but with a few additional indicators and weightings. This set of criteria, developed in collaboration with regional experts and stakeholders, is intended to reflect key priorities for Asian universities by utilizing as much available data as possible.

The 11 indicators used to compile the QS Asia University Rankings are as follows:

1. Academic reputation (30%)
2. Employer reputation (20%)
3. Faculty/student ratio (10%)
4. International research network (10%)
5. Citations per paper (10%)
6. Papers per faculty (5%)
7. Staff with a PhD (5%)
8. Proportion of international faculty (2.5%)
9. Proportion of international students (2.5%)
10. Proportion of inbound exchange students (2.5%)
11. Proportion of outbound exchange students (2.5%)

The overall results of the QS Asia University Rankings are published in an interactive online table, which allows users to compare universities’ performance on individual indicators, or view those with the highest combined scores. To fully access the table, you need to log in or register as a site member – this is free and allows you to access exclusive content and resources.

(Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/asian-university-rankings/2022)

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD.

On January 13, 2022, Associate Professor Pattarapong Makarawate, MD, Director of Queen Sirikit Heart Center of the Northeast (QSHC), Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, presided over the ‘Infection Control DAY 2022’ event and gave a keynote speech on the topic “Quality Guidelines for QSHC Management.”

The Ministry of Public Health and KKU-MD administrators are continuously reviewing and providing the latest information on universal precautions for safety of individuals in our care as part of the National Patient and Personnel Safety Goals Program (2PSG).

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD.

The Breast Disease Society of Thailand hosted their 14th Annual Academic Meeting 2021 at the Siam Crown Prince Room, 50th Anniversary Celebration of His Majesty the King Building, Bangkok on December 24 – 26, 2021. The meeting’s goal was to keep up with and exchange interdisciplinary ideas on the treatment of breast cancer patients in Thailand.

Srinagarind Hospital was named the winner of the ‘Data management and information system for breast cancer patients’ award, as well as the second runner-up in the ‘Pre–analytic process quality and multidisciplinary team’ category’.

Doctors from faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University attended the meeting where the awards were announced.  Associate Professor Dr.Supinda Koonmee, from  the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University and her team were invited to speak on the topic of Pre-Analytic Show Cases, as well as to  announce  the 2021 Breast Cancer Information System Development Contest and award,   a collaboration between the Association of Breast Diseases and the Pathology Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. Lt . gen. Associate Professor. Dr.Wichai Wasanasiri, President of the Breast Disease Society of Thailand, presented  the awards to the various hospitals.

The two categories of awards, were presented to the hospitals below;

Category 1: Pre–analytic process quality and multidisciplinary team

Winner: Namarak Hospital.

First runner-up: Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital.

Srinagarind Hospital and Vachira Phuket Hospital received the second runner–up award.

Category 2: Data management and information system for breast cancer patients

Winner: Srinagarind Hospital.

First runner-up: Namarak Hospital.

Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital and Udon Thani Hospital received the second runner-up award.

Written by: Kanyakan Muangson

Edited by: Professor John F Smith PhD

MD-KKU students were actively involved in World Hearing Day 2021 activities

Master of Science (Communication Disorder) students, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, produced short videos on hearing loss signs and symptoms in both children and older people to raise the awareness of hearing loss and encourage people to seek medical services in their area.  They also produced leaflets on newborn hearing screening, including how to access hearing services in the area.  Policy makers also sponsored a newborn hearing screening pilot project.

This ENT Department pilot program helps to screen and detect the hearing ability of newborns throughout the whole Health Region 7 area, and is separated from the hospital screening program for hearing loss only.

Those activities were reported in WHO website https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/world-hearing-day-2021—report-of-activities