News

Walailak University (WU), by the School of Allied Health Sciences (SAH) and the School of Nursing (SON), in collaboration with Showa University, Japan, is organizing the 2024 Global Multi-Professional and Cultural Camp to facilitate the exchange of healthcare knowledge and culture between Thailand and Japan. The camp, scheduled from 8 to 15 August 2024, is taking place at WU.

The opening ceremony was held today at the Chorpradu Chamber, WU Hospital. The event was presided over by Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of WU. Seven students from Showa University were led by Professor Dr. Yoshiko Kudo from the International Exchange Center. Assistant Professor Dr. Orapen Sukhavulli, Dean of SON; Associate Professor Dr. Voravuth Somsak, Dean of SAH; and faculty members also participated in the event.

Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong said, “I am very pleased to welcome you all to the Global Multi-Professional and Cultural Camp 2024. We are honored to once again host this camp in collaboration with Showa University. Through this camp, students will have the opportunity to engage in interactive workshops, case studies, and community healthcare systems, which will promote academic excellence and foster cross-cultural understanding between Thailand and Japan.”

Associate Professor Dr. Voravuth Somsak noted that this is the second year that SAH and SON, together with Showa University, have co-organized the camp. He mentioned that this year’s camp is particularly special because Kyoto Tachibana University has also joined.

“This year, we have three main areas of collaboration that we aim to expand. The first is staff mobility to enhance teaching and learning, and to improve the curriculum in nursing, medical technology, and physical therapy. The second is joint research and research grants. We now have co-publications with Showa University and are also writing proposals for international grants. The third area is student exchange. Next year, we plan to send our students to Japan so they will have the opportunity to learn from other cultures and develop language and communication skills—soft skills that Walailak University emphasizes,” he said.

Dean Voravuth further explained that the community healthcare system the students will learn from has shifted its focus from working-age patients, as it did last year, to children and elderly patients. This includes bedridden patients and those with metabolic syndrome, which could potentially lead to complications such as paralysis.

Dean Voravuth also expressed his belief that this camp will further strengthen the long-standing relationship between WU and Showa University.

During the opening session, Assistant Professor Dr. Patnarin Supakorn, Director of the WU Center for International Affairs, also shared WU’s internationalization efforts with Showa University students, which include international courses, activities, support systems, and facilities for both short-term and long-term exchange programs at WU.