News

Walailak University (WU) President, Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, along with the university’s executive team, is visiting Kunming Medical University (KMU) in China from 16 – 19 October 2023 to promote academic and research collaboration and celebrate the 90th anniversary of Kunming University.

On 16 October 2023, President Sombat Thamrongthanyawong met with the KMU administrative team: President Xia Xuesang, Vice President Jie Baosheng, and Foreign Cooperation and Exchange Director Guo Haiyun at Huihuang Room, Howard Johnson Tropical Garden Plaza Kunming. Both parties committed to enhancing research collaboration, and student and staff mobility. On this occasion, Deans of WU's Health Sciences-related schools were invited to meet with KMU students, and President Sombat Thamrongthanyawong extended an invitation to President Xia Xuesang to visit Walailak University. 

 

On 17 October 2023, the WU team participated in the 2nd President/Dean's Forum of South and Southeast Asia Medical Education and Health Service Alliance, held under the theme Innovative Development of Medical Education and Healthcare – International Cooperation Promoting the Transformation of Medical Education and Healthcare at No.1 Lecture Hall in the Academic Exchange Center at KMU. President Sombat Thamrongthanyawong was invited as a moderator for a keynote speech titled Experiences and Exploration of the Urology Residency Program of Renji Hospital, delivered by Professor Xue Wei, Vice President of Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China. Five other Thai universities participated in the forum, including Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, Prince of Songkla University, Mae Fah Luang University, and Chiang Mai University, along with representatives from Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Pakistan.

 

To further strengthen academic and research collaborations between the two institutions, WU’s Center for International Affairs has coordinated with KMU to arrange Dean meetings. The details are as follows:

Dr. Jiraporn Chingunpitak, Dean of School of Pharmacy, met with representatives from School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at KMU to discuss a proposed 2-week exchange program for students, the invitation of KMU professors for special talks and discussions with postgraduate students, and opportunities for KMU lecturers to pursue Ph.D. programs at WU.

 

Associate Professor Dr. Chuchard Punsawad, Dean of School of Medicine, discussed with Professor Zhi Rong Zou, Dean of KMU's School of Basic Medical Sciences, about research collaboration and research fund, staff and student mobility, and the organization of joint conferences and seminars. During his visit, he also had the opportunity to tour laboratories, classrooms, the life science museum, and exhibitions that showcased KMU's history, as well as exhibitions on embryology, physiology, anatomy, parasitology, and pathology.

 

Associate Professor Dr. Urai Jaraeprapal from School of Nursing and Assistant Professor Dr. Supabhorn Yimthiang, Dean of School of Public Health, discussed with Associate Professor Lu Yuline, Dean of KMU's School of Nursing, about the organization of an international conference scheduled for March 2024, the development of online short courses in nurse practitioner, and opportunities for research collaboration. They also visited KMU’s modern nursing practice ward. 

 



Assistant Professor Dr. Supabhorn Yimthiang, Dean of the School of Public Health, discussed with Professor Cau Le, Dean of KMU’s School of Public Health, a two-week short course scheduled for February 2024 for KMU students to study at WU, and the invitation of visiting professors and collaborating on joint research projects.

 

 

Associate Professor Dr. Voravuth Somsak, Dean of School of Allied Health Sciences, explored research collaboration in physical therapy and discussed the exchange of inbound/outbound student mobility for research and professional training with representatives from KMU's School of Rehabilitation. 



Professor Dr. Sittichai Koontongkaew, Dean of WU International College of Dentistry, met with representatives from KMU’s School of Stomacology to discuss student and staff mobility as well as opportunities for KMU lecturers to pursue online Ph.D. programs and conduct research at WU.