Tag: Thailand

The Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (CSII) recently hosted an executive training program titled “AI Literacy for C-Suite Executives” on August 22, 2024, at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, Bangkok. The program was inaugurated by Prof. Pharm. Lt. Col. Dr. Suchada Sukrong, Director of the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation. The closing ceremony was presided over by Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, Acting President of Chulalongkorn University, who also awarded certificates to the participants.

In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat emphasized that this training course was specifically designed for senior executives, providing them with strategic knowledge and tools that can be applied within their organizations. The course aims to foster innovation, drive sustainable growth, and lead organizations confidently through the digital transformation era by harnessing the potential of AI to revolutionize industries and create new opportunities.

The “AI Literacy for C-Suite Executives” course was organized to elevate the strategic understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) among senior executives and to prepare organizations to navigate technological changes. The program was developed with the support of international experts, offering a comprehensive curriculum that covers both fundamental theories and practical applications of AI to help organizations thrive in the face of technological disruption.

Additionally, a “Post-Course Clinic” was held on August 23, 2024, providing participants with the opportunity for one-on-one consultations with AI experts to strategize and implement AI within their organizations.

Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, in collaboration with Wai Watthana Niwat Foundation and Thai Ban Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital, Samut Prakan, organized the 2nd Health Care Services Project for Elderlies in Nursing Homes between March 8-29, 2024, at Wai Watthana Niwat Foundation Nursing Home, Samut Prakan, and Thai Ban Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital, Samut Prakan. The project was organized in continuation to the project in the previous year.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wanida Laiwattanapaisal, Deputy Dean for Research, Innovation, International Affairs and Corporate Communications, Head of the 2nd Health Care Services Project for Elderlies in Nursing Homes, explained that this elderly health care project focuses on providing comprehensive and inclusive health check-ups for the elderly in care facilities. The project expands its services by adding blood tests alongside more detailed urine tests, emphasizing the examination of microalbumin in urine. This approach applies research findings from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at Chulalongkorn University to enhance the efficiency of elderly health care.

The 2nd Health Care Services Project for Elderlies in Nursing Homes at Wai Watthana Niwat Foundation Nursing Home, Samut Prakan, and Thai Ban Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital, Samut Prakan, receives cooperation from various organizations, such as Wai Watthana Niwat Foundation and Thai Ban Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital. 20 students from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, participated in the project, performing health checkups and collecting data for research. 52 elderly people received a blood test, and 40 received a urine test. After conducting urine and blood tests on the elderly, the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at Chulalongkorn University ran an analysis on the urine and blood samples in the faculty’s laboratory using advanced equipment. The test results will then be reported back to the elderly care facilities.

This project is an ongoing academic service activity for society and the community, which is an important mission of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at Chulalongkorn University. In nursing homes and elderly care facilities, the elderly may not always receive comprehensive health care. Having blood and urine tests for the elderly can help diagnose potential diseases that may occur in older adults, allowing for the prevention and treatment of these conditions. Furthermore, this project is beneficial for the students who participate, as it provides the opportunity for them to gain real-world experience in their profession.

This project has received positive feedback from the elderly participants. The satisfaction survey results show that the level of satisfaction is in the good to very good range, with a score of 97.8%. The participation rate in the project was 89.5%. This project aligns with the vision of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, in being a leader in health and innovation development for sustainable social development. It also corresponds to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.

“This project not only helps screen the health of the elderly for preventive care before treatment is needed but also integrates teaching and research. It allows students to learn about community problems firsthand, fostering a sense of social responsibility and promoting sustainable development in health and well-being for Thai society,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wanida.

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/183798/

Chulalongkorn University together with the Technopreneurship and Innovation Program (CUTIP), Graduate School Chula presented “The Second Chulalongkorn University President’s Distinguished Speakers” on July 19, 2024, from 5:30pm – 9:00pm at the 20th floor of Chaloem Rajakumari 60 Building (Chamchuri 10) Building with Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwant, acting President of Chulalongkorn University delivering the opening remarks. The guest lecturer was Dr. Andrew Ng, Adjunct professor from Stanford University and a globally recognized leader in AI (Artificial Intelligence) founder of DeepLearning.Ai and General Partner at AI Fund and Co-Founder of Coursera. The topic of his speech was “Revolutionizing the Future: An Exclusive Talk with “Andrew Ng” on Opportunities and Business Preparedness.”

Serving as moderator was Asst. Prof. Dr. Kavin Asavanant, Director of the Techonopreneurship and Innovation Program (CUTIP) who is also an alumnus of Stanford University.

Dr. Andrew Ng’s talk covered AI advancements in the past decade, particularly during the years between 2010-2020 considered as the golden age of Large-Scale Supervised Learning while working at Google Brain, increasing the size of data and models that significantly improve performance. These models have been used in various applications that have altered the lives of many people from Spam Filtering to the development of Self-Driving Cars.

Dr. Andrew Ng also addressed the entering of a new era of “Generative AI” from 2020 onwards where these models can create a variety of new content such as language, images, sound, video and coding AI of this type has changed the way we work with humans, with the use of “Prompts” in natural language being essential.

Dr. Ng expressed his belief that AI can help reduce costs and create growth at the same time by knowledgeable workers will be the group most affected by Generative AI but AI will only replace some of the jobs. Examples of using Generative AI include asking and answering questions, helping to write articles and summarizing various tasks. Writing prompts with clear steps significantly increases the efficiency of GPT. In addition, AI plays an important role in upgrading various industries in Thailand, such as healthcare, tourism and agriculture, which can use AI to develop the country sustainably.

Chulalongkorn University has organized “Chulalongkorn University President’s Distinguished Speakers” event in order to disseminate knowledge as well as to inspire with world-class experts, promote the internationalization of Chulalongkorn University by creating a network of national and international cooperation as well as exchanging knowledge and expertise with speakers and attendees. This will help strengthen knowledge and skills in various areas and is therefore an important step for the University in becoming a center of learning and innovation while aiming to be an AI University.

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/175281/

Chula Medicine in collaboration with the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine and Gastroenterologists from local medical schools proves that Thai curcumin can help treat dyspepsia as effectively as antacids, and is poised to push Thai curcumin to the global marketplace.

Many people may have experienced bloating, pain, tightness, nausea, and heartburn from dyspepsia, which is very common nowadays. To relieve the symptoms, many people adjust their lifestyle and habits, while taking antacids continuously. Others turn to Thai herbs such as “curcumin”. But the important questions are, “Can curcumin replace antacids in treating dyspepsia? How to use it? Should it be used in combination with modern drugs? Are there any side effects?”

To address these questions, a team of experts led by Associate Professor Dr. Krit Pongpirul, M.D., Director and Founder of the Center of Excellence in Preventive and Integrative Medicine (CE-PIM), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University designed a study to test the effectiveness of Thai curcumin capsules subsidized by the Government Pharmaceutical Organization compared to modern antacids.

“Curcuminoids” are effective as a pain reliever, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory drug, but not the same as “curcumin as in Turmeric”. The dried and ground herb contains curcuminoids and other substances, including volatile oil.”

The clinical study was carried out from June 2019 until April 2020 on 151 volunteers who were dyspepsia (early stage) patients but tested negative for H. pylori. “The findings conclude that curcumin and omeprazole have no discernable differences in their effects in treating dyspepsia and that the combination of the two drugs has no increased therapeutic benefit. Also, no serious side effects have been reported from continuous intake of curcumin.”
With proven results, the team is preparing to push the “curcumin pill” to the global market under the ThaiCureMin brand name. In the future, the team plans to find farmers and organic sources of turmeric that can be traced from upstream to downstream to increase consumer value and confidence. Moreover, the team will measure the essential oils in curcumin to see what substances they contain and in what quantities.

Read the full article at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/159854/

Chulalongkorn University researchers have discovered Thailand’s first glowing land snail and the first one in the world in the last 80 years. Preparations are underway to decode its genetics paving the way to expand medical research and scientific knowledge on the ability of snails to glow.

The world’s first glowing land snail was found in 1942 in Singapore by Dr. Yata Haneda, a Japanese researcher. At the time, the Quantula striata species was considered the only snail in the world that could glow.

Close to 80 years later, a glowing land snail was discovered once again in Thailand by a team of researchers led by Dr. Arthit Pholyotha, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University who discovered Phuphania glowing land snail living in limestone areas, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province.

According to Dr. Arthit, “The discovery of this glowing snail shows that the Thai ecosystem is rich and diverse, and it is likely that there are other animals or plants that are exclusive to Thailand and this region waiting for us to discover and study.

This discovery paves the way for Thai scientists to study in-depth information on the adaptation and evolution of living things in the environment of Thailand. The research team submitted the information concerning this discovery to the “International Mollusc of the Year 2024” competition and were voted first place in the competition that attracted scientists from around the world.

How the glowing snail was discovered

Dr. Arthit related to us that the discovery of the glowing snail began with the research team of Prof. Dr. Somsak Panha, Director of the Center of Excellence on Biodiversity and Professor of the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chirasak Sutcharit, Asst. Prof. Dr. Piyoros Thongkerd and Dr. Arthit have studied the relationship of the evolution of land snails and found that the glowing Quantula snail initially found by the Japanese researcher is closely related to the Phuphania snail found in Thailand making it possible for Thailand to also have glowing snails. The research team then set off to survey the diversity of land snails in various areas around the country.

Dr. Arthit explained that bioluminescent land snails exist in tropical forest ecosystems in Thailand. They can be found in both mixed deciduous forests and dry evergreen forests in limestone hills and non-limestone hills, however, finding land snails is not easy.

“Land snails are quite rare and can be found in certain areas and only during the rainy season. Being rather small, they can easily remain hidden and perfectly still. Even if we walk closer to them it takes a lot of effort and precision to look and find them.” Dr. Arthit described the challenges in looking for these molluscs.

“We conduct our search only during the daytime looking in piles of leaves, decayed logs, and areas that are relatively humid where land snails like to hide. After that, the snails that were found and collected were taken to check their ability to glow in a dark room or a prepared box.”

The efforts became successful in about one year. Towards the end of August 2023, Dr. Arthit and his team made their discovery of Thailand’s first glowing land snail in Saraburi Province.

The team then commenced their study of glowing snails in Thailand collaborating with a research team from Japan comprising Prof. Dr. Yuichi Oba, Dr. Daichi Yano, and Gaku Mizuno from Chubu University who specialize in glowing creatures such as fish, earthworms, and fireflies. The research continued for the next three years, and a research article was published in volume 13 of the Scientific Reports journal in 2023.

Thailand’s glowing land snail wins “International Mollusc of the Year, 2024”

Through the recommendation and invitation of the research team from Japan, Dr. Arthit submitted his research on the glowing land snail in Thailand to The International Mollusc of the Year organized by the LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberg Naturmuseum and Unitas Malacologica.

“Researchers from around the world submitted more than 50 names of shellfish and squid that are of special interest to the competition. The International Mollusc of the Year will be analyzed and the full genome data produced” Dr. Arthit explained. The top five shellfish and squid voted on the https://moty2024.senckenberg.science/en/ website are:

First place receiving more than 3,200 out of a total of 6,263 votes worldwide is Thailand’s glowing land snails (living glow stick).

Second place- the Wavy Sea Butterfly are sea snails that float like butterflies in the air.

Third place- the Coosa Fiveridge found to be the oldest living of Amblema mussels at 79 years!

Fourth place -the Wavy Bubble Snail a sea snail that has parts of its body protruding outside but not wings and can glow with UV light.

Fifth place – the Atlantic Brief Squid is one of the fastest invertebrates reaching top speeds of 25 mph.

What is special about the Thai glowing land snail

The Quantula land snail discovered by Japanese researchers cannot emit green light continuously but it emits green light as a small spot under the mouth flashing rhythmically which can only be seen when it is moving.

Whereas the Thai Phuphania snail is special in that it can emit green light continuously.

There are four species of Phuphania  – P. costata, P. globosa, P. carinata, and P. crossei which won the competition.

How and why does the snail “glow”?

Dr. Arthit explains Bioluminescence as the process of creating energy from chemical reactions within the body that causes the release of energy in the form of “light”.

Most bioluminescent organisms have a light production mechanism based on the same principle: light is generated from various biochemical reactions within the cell which is under the control of a chemical called “enzyme” with 2 important components: luciferin and the enzyme luciferase or photoprotein where luciferin is a substance that produces light from the activation of enzymes and proteins in chemical reactions. This results in the combustion process (oxidation) which uses energy (ATP), oxygen, and various magnesium salts to cause chemical changes that ultimately result in the release of energy in the form of light.

“The bioluminescence of most mollusks that live in the ocean, such as squid, is caused by other organisms such as bacteria that can glow then come to live together (symbiosis). The glow of the snail depends on chemical reactions in the body (luciferin-luciferase reaction) and does not require any stimulation.”

The clam’s bioluminescence uses its internal light for its livelihood and survival. It is a warning and prevents predators from eating it.

“Some animals use their light to attract the opposite sex, such as fireflies that flicker at night to find a mate. Some animals use light to lure their prey closer so they can eat it, such as anglerfish or anglerfish. Land snails likely use light as a warning. Prevents predators from eating it. Predators may consider glowing animals to be toxic to themselves.”

Future Research on Shellfish

Assistant Professor Dr. Piyoros Thongkerd a member of the research team discussed some of the possibilities resulting from the selection of the Thai glowing land snail as International Mollusc of the Year saying that this time, it will be further analyzed and produced full genome data. The organizing organization will be responsible for all expenses.

“Genome information is the blueprint of life or all of the genetic information of an organism, including both the genetic and non-transcribed parts. We want to know which genes control their expression and make the shellfish glow. The information obtained must be analyzed and cared with bioluminescent clams in other ecosystems such as freshwater and marine to understand the evolution of bioluminescence in this group of animals.”

In addition to studying land snails, a research team from the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, is studying “Snail mucus” for medical benefits, especially in the production of gauze bandages.

“Currently, the research team has collaborated with the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, to study the genomes of snail to find proteins involved in the production of sticky mucus. The discovery of these proteins will help us understand the biological processes that allow snail to produce their unique mucus properties. and may lead to the development of highly effective medical products in the future.” Dr. Piyoros concluded.

Sustainability has become a critical concern in many industries today. Entrepreneurs are increasingly incorporating sustainability into their business strategies to demonstrate environmental awareness and social responsibility. Implementing sustainable practices in business operations enhances a company’s brand reputation and recognition, leading to a long-term positive impact on the environment.

Sasin MBA students in the “Pricing Strategies in the Era of Sustainability and Digital Transformation” class, led by Assistant Professor Yupin Patarapongsant, had an excellent opportunity to immerse themselves in two fascinating eco-friendly experiences in Kung Bang Kachao, Samut Prakan. The students gained insightful knowledge of waste management and upcycling at Wat Chak Daeng, the village community center. Students were taught about the waste management process leading to the eventual transformation of all waste into valuable upcycled materials and products. Moreover, Wat Chak Daeng has also collaborated with the PPT Group on the “OUR Khung” project. This project embraces the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) approach, which encourages individuals, including entrepreneurs, to work towards creating a better environment in a sustainable world through efficient waste management.

Apart from the “OUR Khung” project, Wannapen Saepian, a Sasin alumna who led LearnDo, connected us with the PTT Group. Students learned about the developmental projects in Khung Bang Kachao and completed the tour around the 80th Anniversary Celebration Garden. In this section, the students, now enlightened and inspired by King Rama IX, initiated developmental projects in the area. Students were challenged to apply their knowledge of pricing strategies concerning ESG and the circular economy in developing sustainable products or services for “OUR Khung.” They presented various creative solutions and approaches that inspired the host agencies regarding potential plans.

This transformative field trip to Kung Bang Kachao, a social innovation in action component in our course, introduced Sasin MBA students to a sustainable journey involving ESG and the circular economy. By participating in a design challenge on upcycling sustainable products and tourism services, we can potentially benefit the community. Such experiences for MBA students contribute to building an entrepreneurial mindset. It is the next step for future business leaders to be concerned about the environment, resulting in a better and more sustainable world. This experience has given a newfound sense of hope and optimism regarding the future of sustainability in business.

Vararat.Vongprateep, Marketing and Communications Officer [email protected], 0-2218-4041

Praewthip Danwarawijitr, Marketing and Communications Coordinator – [email protected], 0-2218-4040, 06-5329-4193

www.sasin.edu, www.facebook.com/sasinbusinessschool, www.twitter.com/SasinThailand

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/172737/

Chulalongkorn University Researchers have developed an electrochemical strip Test for the amount of THC which is the psychoactive agent in Cannabis. A highly sensitive, non-laboratory test kit yields fast, accurate results, helps ensure consumers’ safety and reduces the risk of ingesting harmful substances.

After the unlocking of cannabis from narcotic drugs to be a controlled medicinal plant, cannabis has now been widely used in various products, including cooking and mixing in beverages, citing the various health benefits of cannabis.

But anything that has benefits can also have drawbacks. Cannabis contains more than 400 different substances, with the two most important substances that are often mentioned being CBD (Cannabidiol) for medicinal purposes, and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), a substance that is harmful to the body, can affect the nervous system, cause intoxication, and hallucinations. What is most dangerous is that overconsumption and allergies to THC can be fatal. Therefore, the Announcement of the Ministry of Public Health stipulates that the amount of THC in food and beverages must not exceed 2%, otherwise it will be considered narcotics.

How will consumers know if cannabis products are free of harmful substances?

Dr. Sudkate Chaiyo, a researcher at the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Research, Chulalongkorn University, has developed an innovative “Rapid electrochemical strip test for THC amount” by adding to the knowledge on ATK test kit development that works with electrochemistry for the diagnosis and screening of COVID-19 produced by Thai people.

“Currently, the measurement of THC must be done in the laboratory with large instruments and the process is quite complicated. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the main agency that is responsible for the screening of THC substances in cannabis products. Therefore, we have developed an electrochemical strip test to allow consumers to initially check for THC themselves for more confidence and safety in consuming foods or beverages containing cannabis, Dr. Sudkate said.

Portable, easy-to-use THC test for measuring hazardous substances at the nanoscale

Dr. Sudkate said that although the chemical structure of CBD and THC in cannabis is quite similar, each strain of cannabis has a different CBD and THC amount. However, the electrochemical strip test for assessing the amount of THC is sensitive enough to accurately measure the THC value and is similar to the assay using the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technique, which is the standard method used to detect the amount of THC.

“This test serves as a sensor that quickly measures the amount of THC in a certain food or drink with a high detection sensitivity, even if only 1.3 ng/mL of THC is detected.”

Dr. Sudkhet revealed that the efficacy of the kit comes from the integration of two sciences: rapid measurement of the lateral flow immunoassay test strips and high sensitivity measurement of electrochemical techniques.

“The test kit uses the same principles as the COVID-19 ATK test, so it’s easy to use. Just mix the cannabis-infused food or drink with the solution specific to the test strip and drip 2 drops onto the test strip, then wait about 6 minutes to read the results from the smartphone connected to the device.”

Electrochemical test strip kits are portable, easy to use, and inexpensive (costing 20 baht each). Dr. Sudkate hopes for the test to be an alternative way to assess the amount of THC outside the laboratory. This will be suitable for users in the group that need to use cannabis products and staff who are responsible for monitoring and controlling the amount of THC in cannabis-infused products.

“This electrochemical strip test will help prevent people from accidentally consuming harmful substances, control the amount of cannabis to a safe level, and reduce the risk of accidents or harm to the body from THC,” Dr. Sudkate said.

This innovation received the Invention Award 2024 from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT).

The Future of Strip Test — A Simple device to help with disease screening

Dr. Sudkate and the researchers from the Chula Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering continue to strive to develop a platform in the form of strip tests in conjunction with electrochemistry for medical use. Currently, the team is developing electrochemistry strip tests for venereal disease screening, a disease that Thai teenagers are at risk of developing and do not dare to consult a doctor. The team is also working on electrochemical strip test kits to screen for people at high risk of contracting Streptococcus Suis from eating raw pork, etc.

Entrepreneurs interested in co-developing electrochemical strip tests to screen THC content for commercial production can contact Dr. Sudkate Chaiyo, Chulalongkorn University Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Tel. 0-2218-8056 E-mail: [email protected].

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/173973/