KKU welcomes delegation from Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, China

 

On August 21, 2023, Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark–Ngarm, Assistant to the President for International Affairs together with Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Assoc. Prof. Ampornpan Theeranut, Dean of Faculty of Nursing, Dr. Chutikan Sakphisutthikul, Associate Dean for Administration and Quality Development, Faculty of Public Health, and Asst. Prof. Kavin Thinkhamrop, Assistant Dean for Research, Academic Service, Innovation and International Affairs, Faculty of Public Health welcomed Prof. Wei Xianggang, PhD, from Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities (YMUN), and Mr. Nuttapong Phanachet, Director of the Thai-Chinese Education Center to our university.

The visit’s objectives were to meet with KKU administrative team to explore academic and research collaboration especially in health science research, and to create an accessible data platform for Chinese students to increase opportunities for study in KKU.  They also discussed future plans for a visit of the President of YMUN to KKU in early 2024 and KKU-YMUN Alumni Center foundation.

KKU and YMUN initiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2021 to strengthen relationships and promote collaborative human resource development. This visit was a great opportunity for medical science faculties including Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing, and Faculty of Public Health to develop collaborative research possibilities and other related affairs with YMUN.

 

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

MD-KKU welcomes visiting professor from Taipei Medical University, Taiwan

 

On August 25, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of KKU Faculty of Medicine together with Assoc. Prof. Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs welcomed Professor Ching–Feng Chiu from Taipei Medical University, Taiwan to our faculty.

Professor Chiu has a strong background in biology, with a particular interest in cancer research. He has dedicated himself to exploring the molecular and metabolic mechanisms involved in the progression of pancreatic cancer through the study of metabolomics and proteomics.

He participated in the MD-KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Biochemistry Department between August 19 and September 1, 2023. His visit’s objectives were to provide a special seminar and lecture for our faculty and students, and to extend collaboration and conduct preliminary research on “Targeting Glutamine Metabolism Pathway for Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment.”

Assoc. Prof. Kulthida Vaeteewoottacharn, MD, Assoc. Prof. Kanlayanee Sawanyawisuth, and Asst. Prof. Charupong Saengboonmee, MD, Department of Biochemistry also attended the meeting to discuss biochemistry research collaboration, clinical skills development projects, and future collaborative activities between the two institutions.

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

MD-KKU welcomes visiting professor from Sorbonne University, France

 

On August 17, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of KKU Faculty of Medicine together with Assoc. Prof. Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs welcomed Professor Ali Abou–Hassan from Sorbonne University, France to our faculty.

Professor Abou-Hassan has extensive multidisciplinary research experience across microfluidics, colloidal chemistry, and nanoparticle synthesis.

He participated in the MD-KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Biochemistry Department between August 1 and 18, 2023. His visit’s objective was to carry out a collaborative research project on “The Development of Various Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: In Vitro Study” with Asst. Prof. Charupong Saengboonmee, MD, Department of Biochemistry, KKU, and Dr. Phoomipat Jungcharoen, Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, KKU. This research project was funded by the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B), Thailand.

Assoc. Prof. Kulthida Vaeteewoottacharn, MD, and Assoc. Prof. Kanlayanee Sawanyawisuth, Department of Biochemistry also attended the meeting and reported on their research and discussed a possible collaborative projects between KKU and Sorbonne University.

 

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

International exchange students enjoy first day in Khon Kaen: August 2023 program

 

On August 7, 2023, we welcomed a diverse group of medical exchange students from Cambodia, Austria, France, Poland, Portugal, and Greece for the August 2023 program.

On their Orientation Day, Associate Professor Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs delivered a welcome speech and gave useful information for enjoying life on our campus. Then the International Relations Officers introduced them to the Faculty of Medicine and program and to some essential Thai language.

In the afternoon they attended a campus tour to meet their program supervisors and departments and were introduced to the campus transport system. After that they took city tours of famous attractions of Khon Kaen. They enjoyed visiting Wat Nong Waeng to see a 360-degree panoramic view of Khon Kaen city from the peak, and to visit the elegant architecture of Wat Thung Setthi.

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Japanese professor and nursing students from Fujita Health University visit Srinagarind Hospital

 

On August 8, 2023, MD-KKU welcomed a professor and nursing students from Fujita Health University, Japan. They participated in an exchange program at the Faculty of Nursing, KKU between August 6 and 19, 2023.

They met the Director of the Nursing Division of Srinagarind Hospital and were introduced to the hospital nursing service system at Ward 4B. They learned about our Hospital strategies for providing high quality nursing services to meet our customers’ needs.  They were also shown our nursing service program for the development of professional excellence in nurses.

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Our July 2023 medical exchange students complete their programs

 

On July 27, 2023, we congratulated medical exchange students from France, Poland, Slovenia, Indonesia, Belgium, Canada, Hungary, Austria, and Japan on completion of their exchange program with us. The program ran during July 2023.

On their graduation day, all exchange students made end-of-program presentations to share their elective experiences. On this occasion Assoc. Prof. Supinda Koonmee, MD and Asst. Prof. Sakkarn Sangkhamanon, MD, Department of Pathology and Prof. John F Smith, English Specialist attended to listen to their presentations.

During their presentations, all reported being impressed with their KKU experience, such as convenient campus facilities, friendly people, useful practical training, and kind faculty staff. Here are some of their shared experiences:

“It’s big university with a lot of sports area, and the Thai students are very kind to us,” said a French student.

“I’m very thankful to all staff, residents and nurses who took their time to explain and teach me,” said a Slovenian student.

“I found very friendly, polite and helpful people that make my exchange program a great experience,” said a Polish student.

“The staff and residents in Srinagarind Hospital are one of the best mentors I’ve ever had throughout my practical training, so I’d like to thank you all for their kindness and constant willingness to respond to all of my questions, and I’m grateful for having the opportunity to learn from them,” said a Slovenian student.

We congratulated all of them on their achievement. We were so pleased to be part of their successful time and glad to have them in our faculty in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

 

 

 

Indonesian pharmacy students visit Srinagarind Hospital

 

On July 27, 2023, MD-KKU welcomed four pharmacy students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia. They participated in a training program at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, KKU between July 8 and 30, 2023.

They also met the Directors of Nursing and Pharmacy Divisions of Srinagarind Hospital and were introduced to our pharmacy services and also visited Ward 4A to see our medical service system.

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Newsletter Issue 1-2566

MD-KKU welcomes visiting professor from Dongseo University, Korea

 

On July 19, 2023, Assist. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs and Assoc. Prof. Charoonsak Somboonporn, Head, Department of Radiology welcomed Prof. Yongsu Yoon, PhD, Department of Radiological Science (DSU), Dongseo University, Korea to our faculty.

Prof. Yoon is a registered radiological technologist (RT) in both South Korea and Japan, and is interested in medical imaging, especially the optimization of image quality and radiation dose, and also in novel indirect flat panel detector systems for reducing scatter radiation.

On this occasion, lecturers from the Department of Radiology also attended the meeting including Assoc. Prof. Banjong Kheonkaew, Asst. Prof. Woranan Kirisattayakul, and Mr. Khajonsak Tantiwetchayanon. They discussed the possibility of MOU establishment and international student and staff exchange between Dongseo University and Faculty of Medicine, KKU. In the afternoon program, Prof. Yoon attended a campus tour led by Mr. Tantiwetchayanon and he also gave a special lecture to students and researchers at the Department of Radiology.

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

MD-KKU welcomes delegates from Georgia Institute of Technology, USA

 

On July 20, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of KKU Faculty of Medicine together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kiatichai Faksri, Director of Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Asst. Prof. Dr. Wises Namwat, Head of Department of Microbiology, and Dr. Kanin Salao, Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, welcomed a research delegation from Georgia Institute of Technology to our faculty, consisting of;

  • Janet Standeven, Director, Frugal Science Academy, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,
  • Rajas Poorna, Graduate Research Assistant, Bhamla and Cicerone Labs, and
  • Charles Anderson, Georgia Institute of Technology.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is a leading research university committed to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology.

The visit’s objectives were to visit our Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID) to exchange knowledge and discuss research and academic collaboration in developing tools for addressing emerging infectious diseases. The visitors were with us between July 20 and 24, 2023.

The visitors met with the dean to discuss opportunities for collaborative-research and clinical skills development projects between the two institutions, especially medical supplies and devices, healthcare solutions, student and staff exchange, joint research program organization, exchange of research materials, publications and information, and other academic activities agreed by two institutes. That afternoon, they also met graduate students and researchers at RCEID and gave a lecture on how to apply medical devices to their research and medical treatment effectively. This visit was highly valuable in promoting the medical devices and innovation initiative of our faculty.

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith