KKU delegation visits UK universities for educational and research collaborations.

 

KKU delegates led by Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean, Faculty of Medicine together with Asst. Prof. Dr. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relations, KKU-MD, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Watcharin Loilome, Director, Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute (CARI), Dr. Poramate Klanrit, researcher, CARI, Dr. Arporn Wangwiwatsin, researcher, CARI, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Penprapa Phetcharaburanin, advisor for Museum and Lifelong Learning Center, visited the United Kingdom between May 7 and 14, 2023.

The first visit was to the University of Liverpool. KKU delegates toured research facilities in the Biosciences Building, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advancing the field of biological sciences. They also visited the Digital Innovation Facility, a leading center for digital technology development and industrial application in the UK, and the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Labs, Sherrington Building. The visit to the University of Liverpool was very meaningful for KKU especially in research and development.

 

KKU delegates visit the University of Liverpool.

 

 

At the University of York, they participated in short presentations and roundtable discussions and visited the Biology Building to be shown the Bioscience Technology Facility, where access to technology and research services for the biosciences in academia and industry is provided for the university and others throughout the world.

 

KKU delegates visit the University of York.

 

 

Another visit was at the Wellcome Genome Campus undertaking genome and biodata research. The Campus also provides bioinformatics resources for the global scientific community and delivers vital training in genomics and biodata to scientists and clinicians. At the Campus, KKU delegates delivered presentations about KKU Phenome Centre and the Faculty of Medicine, and also had a roundtable discussion on collaborative research development.

 

KKU delegates visit the Wellcome Genome Campus.

 

 

KKU delegates present about KKU Phenome Centre and KKU-MD.

 

Imperial College London was the last visit on the program. There, the delegates discussed MOU renewal and possibilities for further education and research collaboration between the College and KKU Faculty of Medicine especially with our Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute.

On this occasion the delegates also participated in the AMMF 2023 European Cholangiocarcinoma Conference at the Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport and attended the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Thailand Talk by Dr. Ruengsin Thennadee and the Professor Narong Khuntikeo Memorial Lecture by Professor Ross Andrews.

This UK visit greatly strengthened KKU-MD’s international collaboration relationships, in medical research and educational development, and teaching exchange and research documentation opportunities.

 

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Medical exchange student from Gifu University, Japan completes KKU-MD elective program.

 

On May 26, 2023, we congratulated Mr. Araki Ayumu, exchange student from Gifu University, Japan on the completion of his elective exchange program with our Departments of Emergency Medicine and Community, Family and Occupational Medicine. He gave a presentation on his elective experiences, both academic and clinical training and multi-cultural experiences with Thai food, people, culture, and places.

On his graduation day, Assistant Professor Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs also attended and presented a certificate of achievement to him. KKU-MD was pleased to be part of his successful time and to have him in our faculty.

 

 

“I was impressed with how students had a role in every clinical rotation unlike my home country,” said Mr. Ayumi.

“They were more used to clinical settings than us. Although there were some differences, every kind of treatment was the same and easy to learn.”

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Lao medical residents and nurses join KKU-MD in emergency medicine exchange program.

 

KKU-MD recently welcomed the following residents and nurses from Lao PDR for a medical emergency exchange training program in May 2023:

1) Dr. Sataolee Leelianou, resident, University of Health Sciences (Duration: May 1 – 26, 2023)

2) Dr. Phimchay Kongpasith, resident, University of Health Sciences (Duration: May 1 – 26, 2023)

3) Dr. Visay Sisavath, resident, Setthathirath Hospital (Duration: May 1 – 12, 2023)

4) Dr. Vilayphanh Sounantha, resident, Mahosot Hospital (Duration: May 1 – 12, 2023)

5) Dr. Sangvien Thammavong, resident, Mittaphap Hospital (Duration: May 15 – 26, 2023)

6) Dr. Phaly Phanmalavong, resident, Mittaphap Hospital (Duration: May 15 – 26, 2023)

7) Ms. Souk Luangsiyotha, nurse, Mahosot Hospital (Duration: May 1 – 12, 2023)

8) Ms. Bounsee Lardsavong, nurse, Mittaphap Hospital (Duration: May 1 – 12, 2023)

9) Ms. Pamong Korphosy, nurse, Setthathirath Hospital (Duration: May 15 – 26, 2023)

10) Ms. Bouaphanh Luangphimpha, nurse, Mittaphap Hospital (Duration: May 15 – 26, 2023)

 

The program was coordinated by Mr. Kensho Ueda, Project Coordinator, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Japan as part of the “Stop Accident Fatality rise by EMS development and Road Safety (SAFER)” project aimed at reducing road fatalities and improving emergency medical services in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

 

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

KKU-MD achieves its best ever result for Medicine in QS World University Rankings (2023)

 

The latest QS World University Rankings for Medicine (2023), KKU-MD ranked among the top 301–350 medical schools in the world, in the top 60 in Asia, and in the top 4 in Thailand.

The six indicators that determine the QS World University Ranking 2023 are academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty, international student ratio and international faculty ratio.

This year’s QS World University Rankings included almost 1,500 institutions from around the world. The highest rankings included universities from diverse locations across Europe, Asia and North America, and not just traditionally iconic institutions.

 

Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/subject–rankings/2023

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Khon Kaen University Phenome Centre hosts the 2nd Reinventing University for Phenomics Project 2023 with delegates from Murdoch University, Australia

 

KKU Phenome Centre together with Faculty of Medicine hosted the 2nd Reinventing University for Phenomics Project 2023 between May 1 and 5, 2023 with delegates from Murdoch University, Australia, including Professor Jeremy Nicholson, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences, Director, Australian National Phenome Centre, Professor Elaine Holmes, Deputy Director, Australian National Phenome Centre, Professor Julien Wist, Deputy Director, Australian National Phenome Centre, and Dr. Sze How Bong, Senior Operations Manager, Australian National Phenome Centre.

The Murdoch University delegates had discussions on Phenomics collaboration with the KKU President, and in meetings with KKU project leads.

Professor Nicholson and his delegation met Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, MD, President of Khon Kaen University and the KKU Administrative Board to discuss the construction of a new KKU Phenome Center and procurement and scoping issues for design and construction work. KKU delegates also presented a possible new collaborative project with Australian National Phenome Centre.

“We’re trying to sell an idea of the new study platform in many clinical problems, such as obesity, cancers, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases to find out research topics and questions. It’s the beginning of KKU assembling related human resources to join in this project. The reinventing project is very beneficial to this new way of study,” said KKU president.

 

 

In addition, Prof. Nicholson gave an invited presentation “From Genomics to Phenomics Medicine: The Next Paradigm to Drive Precision Medicine” at the KKU-MD Hybrid Learning Centre. Over 100 KKU and non-KKU researchers and graduate students attended his presentation both on-site and on-line.

 

 

KKU president together with researchers and graduate students also participated in discussions between Murdoch University delegates and KKU exemplar project leads at KKU Northeastern Science Park. This meeting provided our researchers and students with a lot of knowledge for phenomics research implementation.

 

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Medical exchange students from Wakayama Medical University and Fujita Health University, Japan complete KKU-MD elective program

 

On April 28, 2023, we congratulated exchange students from Wakayama Medical University and Fujita Health University, Japan on the completion of their elective exchange program with us. The students completing the program were:

  1. Mr. Takuto Hirata, Wakayama Medical University, Department of Emergency Medicine
  2. Miss Hinako Tanaka, Wakayama Medical University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  3. Miss Mari Hayashi, Wakayama Medical University, Department of Surgery
  4. Miss Isui Harie, Wakayama Medical University, Department of Surgery
  5. Miss Mizuna Wakahara, Fujita Health University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  6. Mr. Kosuke Sumi, Fujita Health University, Department of Orthopedics
  7. Mr. Takamoto Bando, Fujita Health University, Department of Orthopedics.

 

 

The students gave final presentations on their elective program sharing their academic and clinical training experiences and their multi-cultural experiences with Thai food, people, culture, and places. They seemed impressed with their visit to Khon Kaen, and KKU-MD was pleased to be part of their successful time and to have them in our faculty.

“I met many kind doctors in my department taking care of us. They allowed me to wear a gown, and I could join many operations. Here, I could hold a laparoscopic camera, forceps, and sutures. I’m truly grateful to have had these experiences,” said a Wakayama Medical University student.

“In the labor room, I took part in a caesarean section. I sucked amniotic fluid out of a baby’s mouth. This’s my first time to do it. I was really impressed! In free time, I talked to doctors and residents a lot. I found that the circumstances in clinical practices are similar to Japan, such as working life, popular department, and so on. It’s interesting! One thing that I felt most surprised is that almost all Thai doctors and medical students can speak and use medical terms in English,” said a Fujita Health University student.

 

 

 

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith