Tag: Thammasat University

Professor Dr. Surasak Soonthorn, the representative from Global Health Program (International Programs), Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University had been invited to participate in the 2021 Thailand Global Health Action Plan 2021-2027 seminar organized by the International Affairs Division, Ministry of Public Health to exchange knowledge and experience in global health operations and prepared an annual action plan for the year 2021 under the Global Health Action Plan 2021-2027. A total of 27 agencies attended the meeting and qualified speakers from both within and outside the Ministry of Public Health.

As a result of the meeting, the role of educational institutions with global health courses (Global Health) had been revealed. In the future, these educational institutions will play a role as academic supporters in the field of human resource development in both short-term and long-term courses. The exchange of experts in global health knowledge in the form of network partners, both within and outside the Ministry of Public Health. The exchange of experiences on the 8 Key Global Health operations, including the results of the analysis of the process of developing “Pandemic treaty” and the results of the “COP26” meeting, which will directly and indirectly affect Thailand’s global health operations. In addition, a goal has been proposed for Thailand to become “Global Health 5.0” to drive solving health problems beyond conventional health, along with the guidelines for striving to achieve such goals.

‘Hemp’ is becoming a common medicinal plant which is able to add value and develop into a wide range of food and beverage industries.

Similarly to ‘Hody Cheese’, plant-based cheddar cheese from hemp seeds, the work of the 3HC team that won the 2nd runner-up award from the Food Innopolis Contest 2021 in the Light Weight category under the topic of Future Lifestyle Food Innovation is as well selecting hemp seeds to use and develop into “Vegan Cheese” product, an innovated alternative food choice for the future living.

The 3HC team member consists of students from the School of Gloal Studies, Thammasat University and students from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University which are, Mr. Makhawee Sukhawattano, Mr. Rak Phatthabhakdi, Ms. Nicharee Lohakijja, Ms. Nichakarn Boonsin, Mr. Chakaphong Thepchana and Mr. Phuriphat Sivaworavet, with Dr. Supattra Suphawong as the team advisor.

Mr. Makhawee Sukhawattano, a member of the 3HC team, said that he is personally interested in hemp, therefore chose to initiate a project that is associated with hemp. Both creating the hemp development project with Hmong people, trading hemp fibers with Hmong people and having the opportunity to attend student exchange program in Japan where he traded hemp fibers with the Japanese. He noticed that hemp can be processed into food, he then discussed with the professors at the Faculty of Science and Technology. The project to develop a plant-based cheddar cheese from hemp seeds was therefore established.

‘Hody Cheese’, plant-based cheddar cheese from hemp seeds is unique from regular vegan cheese in that it has a distinct aroma with soft and chewy texture, likewise cheese made from animal milk. When baked, it can stretch exactly like real cheese. It is also high in protein as hemp seeds contain more than 30% protein in every 100 gram of weight, containing omega 3, 6, 9, that are supportive to brain, nerves, and also has antioxidants that help slowing down skin deterioration.

Ms. Nicharee Lohakijj further explained that because hemp is relatively new to Thailand, at first, there were some legal issues and had not enough supporting information. When developing the product, we were required to study the process of curdling, proper protein extraction temperature, and having had to keep experimenting. When the temperature is too high, proteins will precipitate into turbid lumps which continuous development were necessary, taking us approximately one year to develop into tangible product over the course of the competition.

Mr. Makhawee added that hemp is interesting and that the market continues to enlarge. Currently, ‘Hody Cheese’ is reaching out to companies and seek for partnership to produce their actual product with a target group of vegetarian and clean food restaurants, the price is set at about 240 Thai Baht per 10 pieces, weighing about 10-15 grams per piece which when compared to the market price, it is cheaper than imported cheese.

Assoc.Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University presided over the signing ceremony of the research license agreement for “scFv Monoclonal antibody specific to the Di a blood group antigen generated by phage display technology and Anti- Di(a) Antibody method” to ANTITOXIN GmbH from Germany.

Lukas Quidenus, CEO of ANTITOXIN GmbH founded in 1966, is a company specializing in blood grouping for immunology. Mr. Lukas has shown interest in the research of Thammasat University that is compatible with the blood results of Thai and Asian population which is different from European population.

In the inspection process through this research, blood transfusion will therefore ensure the recipient receive more compatible blood and helps reduce risks and it is safer. This collaboration with ANTITOXIN GmbH will enable a research team led by Prof.Maj.Gen.Dr.Oythip Nathalang and Asst.Prof.Dr. Jeerapong Thanongsaksrikul, Lecturer of Biomedicine Program, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, to expand research results for commercial development.

This collaboration is considered the development of deep tech in biomolecular science of Thammasat University for launching market internationally which allows the development of public health and the health of global population in the future.

Thammasat University hosted the regional U2T Hackathon for the central Thailand to promote brainstorming skills to find innovative solutions that respond to the local context according to the integrated sub-district economic and social upgrading project (University to Sub-district, with an Aim to Strengthen the Country’s Taproots) at the regional level for 2021 under the theme “Solutions to drive the foundation economy” in 4 areas: 1) Creative Economy 2) Technology/Health Care 3) Circular Economy and 4) Art. and Culture.

Assoc.Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, said that The competition for the central region hosted by Thammasat University allows cooperation of institutional network in the central region among the employees to brainstorm and deliver creative ideas based on the actual problems and practical needs for innovative solutions that meet the local context through Community-integrated Learning. These activities are considered excellent activities in the digital society that allows new innovations. Besides competition, it is also a good opportunity to help participants to share knowledge, learn and receive advice from experts with experience in both technology development and business in each subject area. This is a great opportunity to improve and develop the obtained skills for the real use.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sasitorn Taptagaporn, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health Thammasat University, added that the objective of U2T Hackathon 2021 is to develop employee skills to be able to understand problems, think analytically, and brainstorm and deliver creative ideas through the Design Thinking process based on problems or needs in the central region of Thailand and through the Problem-based Learning process. In addition, this will enable them to develop innovative solutions through Hackathon activities in the Educational Institutions Network for central Thailand and lastly, to support and promote the integration of cooperation between higher education institutions and communities in the central region.

The competition was open for applications and the first round of selection during May-June 2021. A total of 112 teams from 18 educational institutions have applied for this competition within 753 sub-districts of 18 provinces of the operational area. Each team consists of graduates, students, general persons, representatives of community enterprises/entrepreneurs, wisdom inheritor and community leaders. In addition, coaching activities were organized so that participants could apply their knowledge to enhance the project for the qualifying phase of 40 teams. The final round is the best teams in the central region was held during 7 – 9 July 2021 via online application, Zoom, and through live broadcasts on FACEBOOK LIVE STREAM : FPH Thammasat to represent the central region in the next national competition.

5 teams that have been selected as the representatives of the central region will participate in the national round and received the honor plaque and a prize money 50,000 baht per team. 5 teams consist of 1) Plant Pot from Samut Sakhon Community College 2) Transformed Fruit from the National Institute of Development Administration 3) Ban Tontan Handicraft: Giant Fishing Trap from Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi 4) Ab Zab Kang Krajan from Phetchaburi Rajabhat University 5) See U Banglamphu Lang from Chulalongkorn University. This allows them to use their ideas as the guide for the site development according to the guidance of mentors and community leaders for 3 months to develop a “prototype” or to study the possibility of the project before selecting top 5 ideas to drive the foundation economy in the national competition in November 2021 to further expand project and develop as the community innovative entrepreneur. The winners will win the prize of 100,000 baht per team and receive honor plaque.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, together with Assoc. Prof. Kammal Kumar Pawa, M.D., Vice Rector for Administration (Pattaya Campus), and Asst. Prof. Nattadon Pannucharoenwong, Ph.D., Assistant Rector for Administration (Pattaya Campus) welcomed Dr. Apichart Thongyu, President of the Eastern Economic Corridor-Human Development Centre (EEC-HDC), on the occasion to discuss strategies implementation, attract investment into the Medical Service Hub of ​​Thammasat University, Pattaya Campus (EECmd), reduce investment barriers and emphasize on building collaboration between the public and private sectors. The Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand or EEC expects that the area of ​​Thammasat University comprehensive medical center, Pattaya Campus, will have an investment value of up to 70 billion Thai baht. In which EEC entitled Thammsat University, Pattaya Campus as the “Pillar of the Modern Medicine of ASEAN”.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, said that the university is in the process of reviewing the plan, developing policies, regulations and administrative structure of Thammasat University, Pattaya Campus to maximize flexibility in area development. With Thammasat’s reputation of academic excellence, the development of the Pattaya Campus area will be in compliance with the direction that the university has set and in line with the development policy of the EEC. The university will be the mainstay in the development of a targeting industry in comprehensive medical care in which Thammasat University will later discuss this matter with the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).

Dr. Apichart Thongyoo, President of the EECHDC committee, said that being the Eastern Economic Corridor Special Promotional Zone for Medical Hub or EECmd of Thammasat University, Pattaya Campus, Thammasat University is therefore regarded as the pillar of the modern medicine which is not only at the national level but the potential that can be expanded to the ASEAN level. This is because there are limited number of large hospital in the Eastern Special Development Zone (Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong). From visting areas where COVID-19 has spread during the period after the outbreak within the industrial plants especially in Rayong province, it is very difficult to operate a field hospital due to the limitation on supporting hospitals. Therefore, Thammasat University initiated a comprehensive medical policy and in terms of being a special economic zone as well, it is one of the strengths that will be able to carry out related work smoothly with the ability to use the EEC law in both medical and academic according to the policy set by the university.

Lastly, Assoc. Prof. Kammal Kumar Pawa, M.D., Vice Rector for Administration (Pattaya Campus) concluded on 5 main things that the university will need to proceed in an urgent phase:

1. Plans for organizing curriculum, short courses and academic services according to the university policy and in accordance with the needs of the area.
2. Manpower planning in accordance with the economic development of the country.
3. Rules and regulations, especially public-private partnership (PPP).
4. Scholarship Student Plan, a production of human personnel involved in the development of a comprehensive medical industry and is a guideline for the private sector to collaborate in the development.
5. Discuss with the Pattaya City Mayor about the system of smart sub-district health-promoting hospitals to prepare on the connecting of the public health system with Thammasat University Hospital, Pattaya Campus as the main medical service in the area.

Thammasat University Hospital strive to reinforce the vision of “Thammasat Hospital 4.0 towards the organization of the future for the people” by preparing to open “Knee and Hip Center” and introduced robotic arm technology to assist in knee replacement for the first time in a government hospital.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pharuehas Tor-Udom, Director of Thammasat University Hospital, revealed that according to the statistics, it was found that there were patients with knee arthritis, hip dysplasia up to 6 million people and the country’s population structure is shifting toward the “Hyper-Aged Society” in the next 10 years, with an aging population that will increase to 1 in 3 of the country’s population.

Osteoarthritis is a disease that causes severe suffering for patients and make the patient unable to help themselves. At present, Thammasat University Hospital provides approximately 1,000 knee and hip replacement per year. It is estimated that after opening the center, it is expected to support up to 4,000 high-quality hip replacements per year.

Thammasat University Hospital recognizes the problems of rheumatic patients and has been committed to the development of orthopedic treatment since the hospital’s early establishment in 1987, and has developed personnel, technologies, and innovations to help relieve pain and make patients experience replacement without suffering and are abble to recover quickly and return home within 3 days.

Thammasat University Hospital have an idea to develop “Thammasat University Hospital Joint Replacement Center” to upgrade treatment and services as a regional leader. There is a team of personnel who are specialized in patients’ caregiving throughout the treatment stages; from diagnosis, treatment, physical therapy, medication, injections, including surgery to provide patients with a better treatment experience and receive a quality replacement that can be used for a long time; to provide services and medical treatment with state-of-the-art technologies in which the surgical robotic arm technology will be used for a more accurate replacement positioning in order to reduce injury to surrounding tissues, helping patients recover well,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pharuehas concluded.

In this regard, “Thammasat University Hospital Joint Replacement Center” will be one of the new special service forms of Thammasat Hospital as one-stop service to provide convenience in receiving the best service and quality of treatment by expertize medical professors which will be ready in early 2022.

Asst. Prof. Pimchat Rossutham, Assistant Rector for Student Affairs and Corporate Communications, Lampang Center, delivered the opening remarks at the Memorandum of Collaboration Signing Ceremony along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sasitorn Theptrakanporn, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Collaboration entitled “Collaboration in Academic Development, Research and Academic Services” with Dr. Prasert Kitsuwanrat, a Public Health Doctor, Lampang Province, and Mr. Rapeesak Malairungsakul, Director of the Office of the Environment Region 2, Lampang Province and Mr. Sittichai Mungdee, Director of Environmental Management Promotion Division Office of the Environment Region 2, Lampang Province.

The objective of this collaboration agreement is to integrate and promote collaboration in the development of knowledge, class management and joint research studies, personnel development by cooperating in training, internships, study visits, exchange of academic information support to build and develop a network and quality standards for academic service operations, promotion and support in class management, curriculum development as well as the development of sustainable environmental management and public health work. Develop the potential of academic personnel and academic support to upgrade and increase the potential of creating a body of knowledge, creating academic works, research and innovation towards academic excellence to produce personnel, researchers, academics, students in the field of public health who have knowledge and ability to solve public health problems and develop to foster sustainability.