Exciting Collaboration between Khon Kaen University and Seoul National University College of Medicine

 

On July 17, 2024, Associate Professor Pattarapong Makarawate, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Khon Kaen University (KKU), had the honor of welcoming Professor Seung Hwan Lee from Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea. Professor Lee was accompanied by Associate Professor Prapan Jutavijittum from the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, and Mrs. Rungnapa Jutavijittum from the Blood Bank Section at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.

 

 

The esteemed delegation was warmly received by prominent members of KKU, including:

  • Associate Professor Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication
  • Associate Professor Veeradej Pisprasert, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs
  • Associate Professor Warachaya Phanphruk, Assistant Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication
  • Assistant Professor Sakkarn Sangkhamanon, Head of the Department of Pathology
  • Duangkamol Srisawasdi, Head of the International Relations Office

 

 

The primary purpose of this significant visit was to discuss and explore the feasibility of academic and research collaborations between Khon Kaen University and Seoul National University. The focus of these discussions was on clinical trials for Lao physicians, nurses, and medical personnel from the University of Health Sciences, Lao PDR, with grant support provided by Seoul National University College of Medicine.

As part of the visit, Professor Lee also had the opportunity to conduct a study visit to the Academic Clinical Research Office (ACRO) at KKU’s Faculty of Medicine, further emphasizing the commitment of both institutions to foster innovative research and enhance medical education.

This visit marks an important milestone in the pursuit of international collaboration, aiming to advance medical research and education for the benefit of the global healthcare community.

 

 

 

MDKKU Welcomes Visiting Professor from Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Japan

 

On July 15, 2024, the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, led by Assoc. Prof. Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, welcomed Professor Satoru Demura, MD, from Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Japan, who is a Visiting Professor at the Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine.

On this occasion, Associate Professor Taweechok Wisanuyotin, MD, and Associate Professor Permsak Paholpak, MD, from the Department of Orthopedics, also participated in the reception. They had the opportunity to discuss various collaboration topics, such as the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), upcoming medical research collaboration projects, as well as staff and student exchange programs aimed at fostering professional development and advanced medical technology exchange.

 

 

This discussion was beneficial to both institutions, particularly in promoting the exchange of medical knowledge, new technologies, and modern treatment approaches. It also supported joint research efforts to discover new methods of treatment and disease prevention. Additionally, it created more opportunities for training and skill development of medical personnel through experience exchange and learning from international experts.

 

 

 

Malaysian Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Mohd Hijaz Zainudin Completes Exchange Program at Khon Kaen University

 

On July 12, 2024, Dr. Mohd Hijaz Zainudin, an orthopaedic surgeon from the Orthopaedic Department at Hospital Shah Alam, Malaysia, completed his exchange program at the Department of Orthopaedics, Khon Kaen University.

During his graduation ceremony, Dr. Zainudin presented his accomplishments and shared the experiences he gained from the exchange program at the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. He expressed how impressed he was with the environment, the people, and the training he received.

He said, “I am very impressed and have gained invaluable experiences throughout my training here. The learning facilities are surrounded by beautiful nature and a pleasant environment. I have met many friendly and kind people, and the professors and staff in the department have been very helpful to me.”

On this occasion, Professor John F. Smith, PhD, an English Specialist from the Division of International Relations and Corporate Communication, attended Dr. Zainudin’s presentation. He also exchanged information to foster future collaborations and had the honor of presenting the certificate to Dr. Zainudin.

The Faculty of Medicine congratulates Dr. Zainudin once again and is delighted to have been part of his success. We hope that this experience will serve as a strong foundation, boosting his professional development and enhancing his ability to face future challenges.

 

 

Eastern International University Delegation from Vietnam Visits the Faculty of Medicine at Khon Kaen University

 

On July 8, 2024, Khon Kaen University Faculty of Medicine, led by Dr. Nantaporn Wongsurawat, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, along with Mrs. Puangpayom Kaewpila, Head of Educational Service Office, and Mrs. Duangkamol Srisawasdi, Head of International Relations Office, welcomed a delegation from Eastern International University (EIU), Vietnam.

“I am honored to welcome a distinguished delegation from a leading university in Vietnam,“ said Dr. Wongsurawat. “I hope that the exchange of knowledge and experience between the Faculty of Medicine and Eastern International University will be beneficial to both parties. I am confident that this visit will open up opportunities for us to learn from each other and build a strong relationship.”

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Doan Trang, Executives of International Affairs Office, one of the EIU representatives, said, “I would like to thank you for the warm welcome from the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. We are honored to have the opportunity to visit this prestigious institution. Khon Kaen University’s reputation for medical excellence is well–known worldwide. We are excited to learn and exchange valuable experiences with you. This visit will be an excellent opportunity to strengthen the relationship between our two institutions. We hope to collaborate on various academic endeavors in the future.”

During the meeting, Dr. Wongsurawat presented informative materials to the EIU delegation, including an introduction to Khon Kaen University, general information about the Faculty of Medicine, and the medical education curriculum. They also discussed academic collaboration between the two institutions.

This discussion and exchange will strengthen the medical education network and expand opportunities to build good relationships with foreign institutions, promoting the organization’s international image and providing its staff with diverse skills and experiences.

 

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smit

 

Welcome the New Zealand Ambassador to Khon Kaen University

 

We are honored to welcome H.E. Mr. Jonathan Kings, Ambassador of New Zealand, to Srinagarind Hospital. Joining him are Professor Vanchai Vatanasapt, former KKU president and former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Associate Professor Pattarapong Makarawate, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Associate Professor Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, and Associate Professor Warachaya Phanphruk, Assistant for International Relations and Corporate Communication.

Srinagarind Hospital began outpatient services in a temporary building under the leadership of its first director, Associate Professor Dr. Napadon Thongsophit. The hospital’s construction was a collaboration between the Thai and New Zealand governments, with designs by Llewelyn-Davies Weeks Forester-Walkers and Bor of England and construction management by Kingston Reynolds Thom & Allardice Limited (KRTA) of New Zealand. This project aimed to provide university-level healthcare services to the populous Northeast region of Thailand and enhance the capacity to produce knowledgeable and skilled medical and health personnel.

His Majesty the King Rama IX laid the foundation stone of Srinagarind Hospital on February 19, 1976, and graciously named it in honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra. The construction of the hospital’s treatment and service buildings was completed in 1982, establishing Srinagarind Hospital as the first tertiary care university hospital in Northeast Thailand.

 

 

 

Lao Residents Participate in Elective Rotation at the Department of Emergency Medicine

 

MDKKU warmly welcomes Dr. Phonepaserth Vongphoukham and Dr. Vilay Menivong, third-year Emergency Medicine residents from the University of Health Sciences, Lao PDR, who have come to participate in a 4-week elective rotation at the Department of Emergency Medicine from July 1 to July 26, 2024.

This elective rotation is part of the strategic support from the Faculty of Medicine in its pursuit of becoming an international medical school. Additionally, this rotation fosters the development of cooperative networks that may lead to joint research or collaborative developments in the field of medicine. It also allows these residents to adopt various ideas and experiences to improve the quality of healthcare services in their home country.

We hope that the opportunity to host residents from Laos will enrich their diverse work experiences and expand their career growth opportunities, which will significantly contribute to the development and enhancement of healthcare systems at both personal and global levels.

 

MDKKU Department of Surgery Welcomes Exchange Students from Czech Republic and France

 

On July 1, 2024, MDKKU welcomed Miss Anabelle Simone LELONG, a 4th-year medical student from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Poitiers, France, and Miss Alexandra Burianová, a 5th-year medical student from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic, for an exchange program at the Department of Surgery.

On the first day of the exchange, both students participated in an orientation activity organized by the International Relations Office to receive information about Khon Kaen University, the Faculty of Medicine, and basic Thai language lessons for daily life. Afterward, they met with faculty members and staff to register for their studies. The morning activities concluded with a campus tour to familiarize them with various locations in the Faculty of Medicine.

In the afternoon, they took part in a KKU campus tour to get acquainted with facilities and amenities within the university using the transportation system called KKU Smart Transit (KST). They tried this transit system to visit various places such as the KKU Sports Complex, swimming pool, art center, and the Food and Service Center 1 (KKU Complex).

The orientation activities organized by the Faculty of Medicine for these two exchange students are hoped to be beneficial for their adaptation to the environment, faculty, and Thai friends, as well as for their survival in a culturally different society. Most importantly, it aims to make them feel warm and part of our community.

 

 

 

Residents from Indonesia and Laos Successfully Complete Exchange Program at Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Medicine

 

On June 28, 2567, Dr. Prisilla Desfiandi, a dedicated Orthopaedic and Traumatology resident, along with Emergency Medicine Residents from Laos, including Drs. Phaengkham Ondala, Phaithong Phengpanya, and Sourivong Khounthikoumman, concluded and shared their exchange program experiences at the Faculty of Medicine.

During the presentation, they had the honor of being joined by Professor John F. Smith, PhD, English Specialist from the Division of International Relations and Corporate Communication.

All residents were impressed and gained valuable experience from this exchange, such as teamwork and new medical practices. Dr. Khounthikoumman expressed, “I had a great opportunity to exchange here. Besides gaining new medical knowledge to develop medicine in my country, I learned to work in teams with many kind-hearted Thai friends.”

Simultaneously, Dr. Desfiandi was impressed by the people here, despite language and cultural differences. She stated, “The Thai friends here are very kind. Although English was sometimes a barrier in communication, everyone tried to explain everything to me. Thank you so much.”

The Faculty of Medicine is delighted to serve as a hub of opportunity for international students interested in exchanges with us. This knowledge and experience will greatly benefit the future development of the medical field for humanity.

This exchange program underscores the collaborative spirit and commitment to enhancing medical education and cultural understanding among participants from Indonesia, Laos, and Thailand.

 

 

 

Khon Kaen University Hosts Esteemed Guests from Japan and Singapore

 

The Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University (MDKKU) was delighted to host the visit of distinguished guests from Japan and Singapore on Monday, June 24, 2024; Professor Masayuki Hayashi, Director of the Private College, Government, and Academic Sectors Collaboration Promotion Department at Osaka Christian College, Japan, and Miss Rikako Suzuki, a Speech-Language-Hearing Therapist at The Japanese Association Clinic, Singapore.

Assistant Professor Supawan Laohasiriwong, Assistant for International Relations and Corporate Communication, and Professor Benjamas Prathanee extended MDKKU’s warm welcome to the guests. The meeting was held at the prestigious Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic within Srinagarind Hospital, part of the MDKKU’s Department of Otorhinolaryngology.  The primary objective of their visit was to facilitate insightful discussions and exchange cutting-edge ideas with our medical experts specializing in speech-language-hearing and hearing care.

Professor Hayashi and Miss Suzuki’s presence at MDKKU underscored a shared commitment to international collaboration for advancing medical knowledge and healthcare improvement.

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith