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Tag: Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University signs MoU to promote book culture and system for Thailand

Posted on by Chulalongkorn University

The Institute of Thai Studies, Chulalongkorn University, has signed an MoU with the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture, and the Book Studies Foundation to support book culture and book system in Thailand.

“Chulalongkorn University will take the lead in creating knowledge and innovation for society towards sustainable development.  The university’s missions are to benefit the public by developing people and creating a lifelong learning culture for a sustainable economy and society,” stated Professor Dr Chakkaphan Sutthirat, Vice President for Research Affairs.

He added, “Creating a book culture would help Thai people be more competitive globally, since reading books will create knowledge that leads to further thoughts, evolutions and change.   Moreover, books build quality people and strengthen the nation’s foundation. Although books and publications may have lost their lustre to some, reading is still an essential skill for social development.”

“Chulalongkorn University is, therefore, delighted to support this collaboration and hopes that this is a point of beginning for the book culture and the book system to impact Thai society”, concluded Professor Dr Chakkaphan.

Present to sign the MOU were Professor Dr Chakkaphan Sutthirat, Vice President for Research Affairs, Chulalongkorn University; Mr Chai Nakhonchai, Director-General of Department of Cultural Promotion; and Mr Makut Onrudee, Founder of Book Studies Foundation.  Mr Itthiphol Kunplome, the Minister of Culture, presided over the signing ceremony.

Chulalongkorn University develop an embalming fluid to preserve animal cadavers

Posted on by Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Veterinary Science (CUVET) has found formulas to preserve animal cadavers to be studied by students in place of carcinogenic formalin and are able to keep the cadavers soft for years.

The CUVET faculty members have spent over 4 years developing this embalming fluid to preserve the animal cadavers, aka “the headmasters”, for students to study.  This is to replace the foul-smelling and carcinogenic formalin, which can have seriously noxious health effects on par with cigarettes and asbestos, and has also been shown to be toxic to the environment.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Siripong Kiatkittikul, Head of the Department of Surgery and Director of the Animal Hospital revealed that this technology was developed in collaboration with the Departments of Physiology, Surgery, and Anatomy of CUVET.

 

“We have expanded on the technology that Chula Faculty of Medicine has used to preserve human cadavers and adapted it to be used with animal cadavers. At present, we have successfully created two formulas: the “formalin–free headmaster“ formula, which is used in anatomy classes that require relatively hard and dry bodies to study musculoskeletal structures.  The “soft headmaster“ formula is used on cadavers for students to practice surgery.  These cadavers need to be soft with pliable organs, joints and muscles just like those of real animals. “

 

“First, we experimented with chunks of meat, then the animal organs. Currently, the formulas are applied to the “headmasters” like dogs and cats, rabbits, pigs, sheep.  The exceptions are for horses and cows that we only embalm just parts of the animals.”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Sirakarnt added that the formulas can preserve the cadavers for up to 2-3 years in the freezer, and 3-4 months after they are removed from the freezer to be studied.  The formulas are also being developed to kill fungi and bacteria in the cadavers soon.