Tag: Thammasat University

Thai Health Promotion Foundation in collaboration with the Faculty of Social Administration, Thammasat University and the network of social workers competency development project have developed a COVID-19 screening assessment to support communities and migrant workers.

Mrs Rapeepan Kumhom, Dean of the Faculty of Social Administration, Thammasat University, the project leader said, “The project started since the first wave of COVID-19. It has strengthened the community to prepare for the new wave of the pandemic and social workers were trained to use the assessment form for screening to support patients and their families.”

“This has allowed an efficient and proactive approach to patients with depression and the risk of suicide. Social workers may further use such tools during crises or emergencies. It is in the progress of coordinating with associated organizations and this tool will be deployed digitally in the future.”

This tool has been adopted in accordance with the international accounting concept for The World Health Organization (WHO) ’s International Classification of Function, Health and Disability (ICF). 14 questions covering the aspect of family, health, social and economy have been examined by specialists for improvement and trial with Thammasat University Field Hospital.

It has been consequently used by over 300 volunteer social workers to assess more than 1,400 COVID-19 patients which can take the self-assessment regarding social problems by completing the information through Google Forms via mobile phone which takes only 5 minutes. After that, the method will be adopted by another 40 hospitals. Currently, it is still under evaluation.

The tool will be deployed for patients with serious and emerging infectious diseases and will be standardized. The use of assessment tools with local COVID-19 patients will allow the operations more reliable, referrable and it also helps to design a simple and effective treatment program with quick planning.

Thai Health Promotion Foundation is another network of partners in the project to develop the competency of social workers that takes part as a consultant, a coordinator with hospitals to support migrant workers to receive healthcare by granting them access through mobile phone and Facebook, contacting interpreters speaking cross-border languages including Burmese, Lao and Khmer to provide suggestions and collaborate with public and private agencies.

From the first wave of COVID-19 until the present, more than 30,000 people from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand have been supported with money and donated relief supplies of more than 14 million baht.

Thammasat University has recently launched a course on Innovation & Entrepreneurial Mindset or Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking Process (TU 109) to help nurture and build future entrepreneurs.

The program will have 30 entrepreneurs as “Course Mentors”. They will serve to help spark up ideas and to inspire students by conveying their experiences and coaching.

 The university looks at this course as the first step for students in direction of creating their start-Ups while they are still in the university.

Tee-Pattanapong Ranurak and Tong-Thanet Jirasawaekdilok, the two founders of the premium spa brand Divana and Dii Group, who are the Course Directors of the course said that the new generation is knowledgeable, fast and intelligent. Therefore, teaching using Knowledge-based learning as a foundation, may not be able to keep up with this change.

“We, therefore, develop courses and offer classes with Project-based learning –Activity-based learning and Team-based learning, with case studies supporting the exchange of learning among them,” they said.

“We will construct a variety of classes, gathering real entrepreneurs to share both their success, failures, and errors to optimize learning from actual experiences in a short period of time in person, including inviting experts in setting up companies to enter the stock market, etc., to meet with students in close proximity, the module will be available for students in Semester One of Freshmen Year, so we will be focusing on building passion and inspiring them as well,” added the course director.

“What we will be lecturing about are experiences, passion and the key is that we will be teaching about failures. This is due to the fact that most classes are based on success. As for education from failures, the number is countable,” explained the Course Director of TU 109.

As for TU 109, it was originated from the idea of Rector ​​Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart who wishes to foster entrepreneurship skills in the modern world and would like to nurture at least 1,000 students a year on the path of entrepreneurship.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee therefore has designed and developed the curriculum together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pipop Udorn, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs. The curriculum has been finalised into 3 modules, namely TU 109, TU 209 and TU 309, which will be providing classes from Basic to Advanced levels, aiming for students to develop themselves so that they can earn money during their years as students.

88 Sandbox, which is Thammasat’s newest ecosystem will be acting as a platform for potential startups within and outside the university.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee said that TU 109 was initiated from the analysis of global education trends together with micro behaviour, which is based on students’ behaviour and what they are interested to learn about.

“We aim that prior to students’ graduation, they must have come up with their own business and are able to try testing in crowdfunding. In which, we will be having mentors to join the course and provide close guidance. I am confident that students will obtain a deep-seated experience of innovation and entrepreneurship that is good, virtuous, and will definitely be an important force in a better society,” said Assoc. Prof. Gasinee

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pipop said that TU 109 innovation and entrepreneurial thinking process module is a general education course designed to build entrepreneurs who are ready for the world of tomorrow. The teaching approaches must be framed and be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and focusing on enhancing life’s essential attributes in accordance with Thammasat University’s principles.

“Students will be having a chance to learn both concepts and skills to foster success for start-up businesses, as well as acquiring hands-on practice, both in terms of crowdfunding, 1-minute pitch preparation, storytelling, business analysis using the Business model canvas, and financial analysis,” explained Assoc. Prof. Dr Pipop

The Property and Sports Management Office of Thammasat University in collaboration with Bangkok Bank are offering the first cashless canteen services at Thammasat University, Rangsit Center.

Services have begun from June 2021 onward to make everyone’s spending more convenient and easier through fast and safe payment channels. The available payment channels are national e-payment by debit and credit cards, PromptPay or QR code, and  Rabbit cards or Rabbit Line Pay.

In the upcoming days, cashless canteens will be established at every food centre under the care of the Property and Sports Management Office, including at Thewson Dome and the faculties of Engineering Science, Science and Technology, Social Science 1, and Social Science 2 at Thammasat University Tha Phra Chan and Thammasat University Lampang campuses.

Thammasat University cooperated with the Office of the Thailand Promotion Foundation (THPF) to develop social support guidelines. They have developed the Psychological-Psychosocial Support Booklet for Children and Families during COVID-19 to use as a tool for working with children in communities and children with family members who are infected with COVID-19.

The THPH plans to expand volunteer social service officer services to primary care units in order to create coverage of service in the dimensions of prevention and continual support at the community level.

Dr Kanitta Buranapansak, Head of Social Services, Thammasat University Hospital, stated that the expansion of results from the project to develop capacity, social care models and empower communities to monitor care and social management for patients, a booklet on social care for COVID-patients in the community and a booklet for social workers on social care for COVID-19 patients will soon be prepared.

 “What everyone found is that there is already stress and anxiety from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, more than that, COVID-19 changed lifestyles. After having COVID-19, patients who return home to be quarantined were concerned about quarantine facilities, fearful of infecting people at home, patients or children. In most problems, more than 50 per cent of the patients were family leaders and the main livelihood earner who had to be dismissed from work, lose income or have difficult livelihoods. There was also fear of separation from loved ones or losing loved ones,” Dr Kanitta said.

“In addition, persons with high health risks such as patients with chronic illnesses, disabilities and children had mental health problems. Currently, there are many cases not accepted by communities back in society, particularly cases living in condominiums who the team has to help care for and create understanding.”

Dr Kajeerat Prak-eko, Director of the Bureau of Health System Development Support, stated that volunteer social service officers will work as mentors to help recovered COVID-19 patients to become volunteers in providing consultation to reduce stigmatization among new patients at Thammasat Field Hospital and patients in the area of Pathumthani.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, Professor (Adjunct) Dame Petchara Techakumpuch, Chairman of the Dental Innovation Foundation under Royal Patronage; and Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, Director-General of the Department of Health, jointly signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for “Digital for Dentistry” research and development to enhance dentistry services through digital technologies at the Dental Innovation Foundation.

This collaboration is an agreement to engage in joint research and development in Digital for Dentistry to create innovations that will lead to benefits in diagnoses, prevention, monitoring, and treatment of illnesses in the public.

The three agencies will collaborate in research and development in areas concerning the nation’s oral health, and this will occur in the form of shared databases, improvements in education, and support in health service provision through the adoption of digital technology.

It aims to allow the public seeking services across the nation to have extensive and effective access to oral health services and highly competent service providers, including promotion in prevention, diagnoses, treatment, and rehabilitation that occur correctly and precisely through the use of technology.

After trials and tests through research and development, all three agencies will deliver services to the Ministry of Public Health, which is responsible for caring for the country’s entire population, and policy agencies such that they can apply data in analysis to improve their systems.

Thammasat University, led by Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, signed a memorandum of understanding for academic collaboration for the development of academia, research and provision of academic services with the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI), which is led by Dr. Nittaya Phanuphak, Executive Director of the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation, and Professor Emeritus Dr. Praphan Phanuphak Pungpapong, Senior Advisor of the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation, at Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus.

The ceremony was attended by  Prof. Rapeepan Kumhom, Dean of the Faculty of Social Work, Assoc. Prof. Dr Saifon Su-indramedhi, Dean of the College of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Assoc. Prof. Dr Sasitorn Taptagaporn, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health Sciences.

This collaboration is meant to promote cooperation in the development of knowledge in the form of research and studies and provision of academic and social services among experts, specialists, researchers, academics, and related resources of Thammasat University and the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation, including cooperation in the development of personnel, teaching staff, researchers, academics, and organizations to improve academic service and social service quality standards.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, said, “The signing of this memorandum of understanding for academic collaboration symbolizes integrative and bilateral cooperation, with support in academic activities provided by a coalition of agencies, namely, the Faculty of Public Health Sciences, the Faculty of Social Work, the College of Interdisciplinary Studies, and the IHRI, which will lead and serve as the centre for research and innovations in HIV prevention.”

“This earnest academic and technological collaboration will help expand academic opportunities on every level for the university and provide learning through a variety of formats with innovations spanning several disciplines to meet current and future social dynamics.”

Dr Nittaya Phanuphak Pungpapong, Executive Director of IHRI, said that the signing of this memorandum of understanding for academic collaboration is an interdisciplinary effort meant to develop academia, research and academic service provision through learning management, research, training, and development of knowledge in public health, and this includes the mutual provision of academic and social services, with many parties, involved pushing and driving the organizations to ensure the success of these activities and bringing about greatest benefits for society.

This academic collaboration with the IHRI is a key future collaboration goal in line with Thammasat University’s strategy to promote, support and develop learning management, research, and training to improve public health knowledge in personnel and students and to provide academic and social services that will lead to the production of academic, research and innovation work achievements.