Tag: Thammasat University

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, together with Assoc. Prof. Kammal Kumar Pawa, M.D., Vice Rector for Administration (Pattaya Campus) signed a memorandum of understanding on academic cooperation to support the National Precision Medicine Center project with the Department of Medical Services (Institute of Medical Research and Technology Assessment (IMRTA) and Udon Thani Cancer Hospital), led by Dr. Somsak Akksilp, Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, Dr. Manus Phothaphon, Deputy Director-General, Department of Medical Services and with Prof. Dr. Adis Tasanarong, Dean of Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Assoc. Prof. Chumpot Amatayakul, Advisor to the Vice Rector for Administration (Pattaya Campus) and board members of the Medical Department witness.

This collaboration was made possible by Thammasat University and the Department of Medical Services (Institute of Medical Research and Technology Assessment (IMRTA) and Udon Thani Cancer Hospital) that discussed together in academic cooperation to support the National Precision Medicine Center project as a long-term plan.

The objective is to be a platform that foster opportunities for Thai people to recognize, understand, and obtain access to medical treatment with precision medicine and support the development of potential and learning, academic development courses, and research related to advanced medical technology and precision medicine to develop precision medicine services for the people through the cooperation of hospitals under the Department of Medical Services and other relevant health departments as well as to support the comprehensive medical system of Thammasat University (EECmd) which will be implementing in the Thammasat University Hospital, Pattaya Campus in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province that is currently under construction.

Students from the Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University received awards from the project Thailand New Gen Inventors Award 2021 (I – New Gen Award 2021) in the “Inventor’s Day” event of the year 2022 at Event Hall 102-104, BITEC Exhibition and Convention Center, Bangkok.

By which up to 5 projects from teams of students from the Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University received tertiary awards in the health and medical category.

1. 2nd Runner Up Award and Gold Medal Award

Project Title: Arm Rehabilitation Mirror Therapy Linkage

 

List of Inventors:

1. Mr. Methasit Kiatchaipa (Master of Science, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering)

2. Ms. Thanyaporn Wongwatcharanon (Ph.D. student in Medical Engineering)

2. Silver Medal Award

Project Title: Power wheelchair for easy transfer

 

List of Inventors:

1. Mr. Thanatorn Pinpak (Bachelor’s degree student, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

2. Mr. Kanakarn Jarusan (Bachelor’s degree student, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

3. Mr. Supasin Somboondee (Bachelor’s degree student, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

4. Ms. Thanrada Wiriyasub-udom (Bachelor’s degree student, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

 

3. Silver Medal Award

Project Title: Physiotherapy aided equipment by arm’s weight compensation

List of Inventors:

1. Mr. Nithiset Petchju (Ph.D. student in Medical Engineering)

2. Ms. Saowaluck Manakijpaiboon (Master’s degree student in Medical Engineering)

3. Mr. Chonlakarn Manoyen (Bachelor’s degree student, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

4 Ms. Wantvalita Satchang (Bachelor’s degree student, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

 

4. Silver Medal Award

Project Title: Lateral Turning Bed Set for Bedridden Patient

List of Inventors:

1. Ms. Piyathida Muangkerd (Bachelor’s degree student, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

2. Ms. Chanisara Onsuratum (Bachelor’s degree student, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

3. Mr. Anuphat Thiamtan (Bachelor’s degree student, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

4. Mr. Suthinan Ruangon (Bachelor’s degree student, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

5. Mr. Pichayut Piyachon (Bachelor’s degree student, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

 

5. Silver Medal Award

Project Title: Prototype of Low-Cost 3D Bioprinter

List of Inventors:

1. Mr. Nuttabutr Somboon (Bachelor’s degree student, TEPE program, Department of Industrial Engineering)

2. Mr. Pham Athipanan (Bachelor’s degree student, TEPE program, Department of Industrial Engineering)

3. Mr. Thanakorn Rakdej (Bachelor’s degree student, TEPE program, Department of Industrial Engineering)

4. Mr. Sai Aung Naing Oo (Bachelor’s degree student, TEPE program, Department of Industrial Engineering)

Thammasat University in collaboration with Brandverse Company Limited organised a press conference to launch T-Verse: the first Thailand Multiverse Bridge Platform at Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall and Park, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University revealed that this cooperation between the private sector, the government, and educational institutions including over 52 organizations is the first big phenomenon in Thailand that has brought the world’s modern technology like “Metaverse” to develop and create a platform of networking, doing business, education, as well as various activities in the universe of T. -Verse, which will support the country’s advanced development while improving people’s quality of life.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee said that on the occasion of its 88th anniversary, Thammasat is preparing to open a fifth campus called “Thammasat Metaverse Campus” that will provide educational services to people in Thailand and around the world on the T-Verse platform, which will enable everyone to easily and quickly access the university’s knowledge, research, and innovations.

Therefore, we sincerely hope that all parties will collaborate to initiate this platform in order to jointly benefit and to develop the potential of everyone.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surat Teerakapiban, Vice Rector for Tha Prachan Campus Administration and International Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Thammasat Metaverse said that currently, Thammasat has 4 campuses: Tha Prachan, Rangsit, Lampang and Pattaya. The fifth campus will be located on the Metaverse world under the T-Verse platform, within the Thammasat Metaverse Campus, it will respond to the questions in 4 areas:

1. Immersive Learning Classrooms

2. VR Museum of History, Culture and Democracy

3. Next Generation Omnichannel Marketplace

4. 88 Sandbox Spaces

 

Associate Professor Dr. Kittisak Prokati, Member of the (Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance) CPG Supervisory Board and the Board of Directors of the Asian Governance Foundation, received the National Distinguished Research Reward 2022 for his research project on “Conflicts of Jurisdictions over Disputes on Activities of Administrative Agency relating to Land Title.”

The research, co-conducted with Associate Professor Dr. Somkiat Worapunyaanun, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, and supported by CPG at the beginning of the project, compares German, French and Thai experiences on this matter and comes to the conclusion that the Thai development is in lines with the French and the German experiences but still needs strong academic improvements and discussions in a long run.

It found out that a certain risk of disunity among relevant decisions of the Supreme Court of Justice and those of the Supreme Administrative Court exists and differences shall be solved and harmonized by closer cooperation among the Courts through their academic activities.

Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University has been attempting to upgrade the role of pharmacists in respondence to the precision medicine under the progress of project-based learning, integration of knowledge in various fields and skills necessary to work for the new generation, and ready to foster Thai pharmacists in the era of disruption.

Recently, a team of students which consisted of Ms. Yongthida Sawaengsook, Ms. Nattakritta Krongtaew, Mr. Sarat Thirasut and Mr. Thanakrit Sojayya, with Dr. Sujin Nithatpakorn, PharmD. as an advisor have invented innovative development and marketing plan, “ELDARBAND”, an innovation to prevent falls and detect falls in the elderly which won national award from the Marketing Plan Contest of the Marketing Pharmacists Association Thailand (MPAT) or MPAT Award: Start-Up Pharma organized by the Pharmacy Education Consortium of Thailand (PECT) and the Marketing Pharmacists Association (Thailand).

Tongta- Ms. Yongthida Sawaengsook, 5th year student, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University reveals that ‘falling’ is the second leading cause of death among the elderly. Most often have underlying disease, having to take a lot of drugs which is one of the risk factors that can cause the elderly to fall. Therefore, the idea was to create and develop the innovation, “ELDARBAND” that will resolve the problem of caring for the elderly who are alone safely and receive timely assistance by combining pharmaceutical knowledge with technology to develop such innovation.

Product development plans are designed to be easy to use, only wearing the ELDARBAND on the wrist. If the elderly suddenly move abnormally, the device will notify with vibration and sound, and will be sending GPS information, including specific information needed for treatment immediately to nearby hospitals and if there is an error in the notification, users can press to cancel. There is also a button to directly contact the healthcare doctor.

“This product will be the only smart band with ‘before falling’ protection function by detecting the health status of the elderly including heart rate, blood pressure, sugar level, blood oxygen level, and body and skin temperature. If the user is at risk of falling, ELDARBAND will immediately alert the app to forward health data to the doctor in case of unforeseen circumstance. It also helps detect health problems. For example, detecting drugs that have side effects of drowsiness and dizziness, etc.,” said Ms. Yongthida.

Ikkyu – Mr. Sarat Thirasut, 5th year student, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University said that ELDARBAND will benefit society and the economy. Studies have shown that one fall in an elderly results in damage of 1.2 million baht per person/year. Falling doesn’t only cause injury, but the quality of life of the elderly will change, possibly unable to return to walking or a normal living which affects family members as well. Innovation concept and the marketing plan of ELDARBAND, therefore aims to fill the gap, from preventing falling in the elderly to saving the government’s budget for patient care. Hopefully, the development for ELDARBAND is achievable as it will be another creative force from the new generation that provides Thai elderly better health and comfort.

In addition, “ELDARBAND” has entered the Thammasat University incubation program or TU 88 Sandbox, using the period of operation from February to December 2022 to incubate and develop innovative ideas into healthtech products that supports an aging society and can actually be brought to the market, enabling the elderly to live a confident and safe life.

Prof. Dr. Siriwan Suebnukan, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, Thammasat University led the team of faculty members and researchers at Thammasat University to receive awards at the Inventors’ Day event for the year 2021 – 2022 (Thailand Inventors’ Day 2021 – 2022) organized by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).

Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs was the Chairperson to present awards, with Adjunct Professor Dr. Anek Laothammathat, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and Professor Dr. Sirirek Songsiwilai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, attending the award ceremony at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center, BITEC.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, revealed that in the past 5 years, Thammasat University set goals for the implementation of the research excellence development plan to develop Thammasat University to become a world-leading research university.

In the past, Thammasat researchers were able to produce research and innovations that have continually fostered society and have received guaranteed awards from various forums both nationally and internationally from the aim of creating world-class research, building a global network of research collaborations, the university therefore has a larger number of research published in the international database. As a result, Thammasat University is world famous, internationalized and has been ranked higher in the world.

The researchers at Thammasat University received 37 national research awards reflects well the academic potential, creativity, innovations and new inventions with good cooperation from all sectors both knowledge and funding. By which all research are beneficial to society and the nation.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Jeeraphong Thanongsaksrikul, Assistant Dean for Administration, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University as head of the Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics Center revealed that they have now developed “Covid-19 Rapid Antibody Test IgG/IgM Prototype Kit” under funding support from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), which is expected to be fully developed within 1-2 years. The current cost is not over than 100 baht per kit.

Covid-19 Rapid Antibody Test IgG/IgM Kit will support the work of RT-PCR and Antigen Test Kit (ATK), but the difference with the Covid-19 Rapid Antibody Test IgG/IgM Kit is that it is able to detect the Covid-19 asymptomatic infections.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Jeeraphong added that the Covid-19 antibodies can only be found in those who have already been infected with Covid-19, both in those with and without symptoms, and will not be found in the components of the Covid-19 vaccine currently in use. For viral antibody testing, it is necessary to wait up to 3 to 7 days after infection in order for the immune system of the infected person to produce antibodies to a level that is high enough to be detectable, which is most effective in the second week of infection.

“It must be understood that RT-PCR is a genetic test while ATK is used to detect viral proteins by which both of these methods are accurate in the first week of infection. The Covid-19 Rapid Antibody Test IgG/IgM Kit will be used to detect immunity which gave the second week accuracy. We then look forward to the future to use this test kit to track community infections. Especially as Covid-19 has become endemic and most of those who have received the Covid-19 vaccine, when infected, there will be very few or no symptoms. Today we tend to check only those who have symptoms, while for those without symptoms, we will not check. Therefore, in the future, random testing with ATK or RT-PCR may not be appropriate. We then designed this test kit to detect antibodies in the blood which is found only in those who are infected,” Asst. Prof. Dr. Jeeraphong said.

Currently, the most popular antibody testing methods are ELISA and Lateral Flow Immunochromatography to detect immunity to the protein spike (S) or nucleocapsid (N) of COVID-19, which can be found through infection and by vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, currently available antibody test kits cannot be used to differentiate immunity between infection and COVID-19 vaccine.

Therefore led to a research project on “2019 novel coronavirus antigen selection and production of antibody immunoassay kit by studying the serological response of Covid-19 recovered individuals” that the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University progress currently.

Thammasat University was chosen as “Tourism for All” from the 5th Thailand Friendly Design Expo of the year 2022 by receiving the Friendly Design Awards 2022 as an outstanding organization in promoting and implementing universal design for everyone to equally access, and is friendly to all.

This is the 4th year in a row that this award has been received.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chumkhet Sawaengcharoen, Vice President for Rangsit Center Adminsitration Division, Thammasat University revealed that as a university for people who focus on sustainable development, Thammasat University has provided opportunities for all groups of people to have access to education. One of them is to provide special quotas to students with disabilities in the form of direct admissions. The share is set at 1% per committee, which is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) Goal 10 on reducing inequality within and among countries.

In addition to providing equal access to education for all and academic services, Thammasat University continues to improve its buildings as well as implementing universal design to facilitate and unlock the restrictions of students with disabilities which will be more conducive to learning.

Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University said that on the total area of ​​​​the university, nearly 100 buildings are located. Currently, all buildings consist of wheelchair ramps, elevators, toilets, and parking spaces for students with disabilities. While roads within the university are equipped with warning signs for deaf and blind students, from this, we are regarded as the first educational institution in Thailand to install this system.

For student dormitory, Thammasat University has specially designed under international standards, similarly to exercise facilities such as fitness centers, artificial cliffs, and swimming pools that have been designed to be accessible to all students with disabilities, and while traveling on campus, ramps are installed on all electric buses.

There is an age range that affects fertility in women, that is, over the age of 35, having a child is considered too late. For females who consult a doctor, they will be able to check their hormones and ovaries, while for males, the easiest thing to examine is their semen.

For sperm analysis, Thailand is now marking a remarkable progress by a team of researchers from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University that has invented the “sperm staining with black glutinous rice extract” technique to assess the shape-fertility of sperms along with estimating the proportion of healthful sperms to the total sperm count.

This invention is entitled with the official name, “BR dye”, and the research work of Asst. Prof. Dr. Chollanot and Asst. Prof. Dr. Sirinart Chomean, which recently won the Outstanding Research Award of the Year 2021 from the National Research Council and has been published in three other international academic journals.

“The principle is that we use extract from black glutinous rice together with cationic additives to aid in the staining of the genetic material in the nucleus of the cell,” explained Asst. Prof. Dr. Chollanot.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Chollanot explained that sperm staining to see the healthiness of the sperms is considered an important criterion that leads to the right treatment process, which is in line with the precision medicine policy and the use of reproductive technology to help solve infertility problems.The shape of the sperm is an indicator of whether or not the males are ready to have children, and will it be easy or difficult to have children? Of which, in the past, we had to rely on synthetic dyes that had to be imported from abroad only for them to stain and allow the structures of the sperm around the head, mid piece and tail to be visible. But now Thammasat is able to successfully invent a replacement dye and it also has a very high efficiency.

The main objective of this research is to seek dyes that are as effective as synthetic dyes imported from abroad. The synthetic dyes are made from tree barks, in which the hospital does not only use to stain sperm but has also been used to stain other substances such as body tissues. Therefore, in the future there is a possibility that the dyes will be in short supply.The raw materials that we extract do not require rice grains as most of the colour pigment is in the rice husks, therefore, using only rice husks or bran are sufficient. As for the rice grains, we can cook it. This is considered adding value to rice husks and bran.

For the success of “BR dye”, it will be developed further to stain the sample of vaginal discharge from wet mount (vaginitis test) in the case of women being assaulted. This is due to the fact that this type of dye can be used to stain both women’s cells and sperms.

However, in the past, there has been an experiment using the vaginal discharge tested in the laboratory as a sample, it was found that the dye extracted from black glutinous rice was as effective as those sold in the market. This sample can be used for further litigation.

More than that, after developing the dye from the aqueous form into a high-quality “powder form”. The pigment powder will then be adjusted into distinct formula suitable for different types of cells or samples, upgrading products as well as formula and user manual which will reduce the procedures and workload of hospital personnel as well.

Thammasat University, Lampang Campus, organized a panel discussion on “Can we talk? EP.5: Infectious Waste: Challenges in COVID-19 Pandemic” focusing on issues of infectious waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic through online media.

Dr. Nattakorn Chuchuay, Assistant to the President for Management and Academic Affairs, Lampang Campus, Dr. Pradabduang Kiattisaksiri, Lecturer at Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Lampang Campus and Mr. Supawit Amornyut, Public Health Expert, Health center for Ethnic Group, Marginal People and Migrant Worker participated as lecturers.

Dr. Pradabduang Kiattisaksiri from the Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Lampang Campus said that due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of infectious waste has increased from sources that operate according to government policies and public assistance, such as field hospitals. Hospitels, Vaccine Pop-Ups, Home Isolation and Community Isolation.

The most common wastes are face masks, Antigen Test Kit (ATK), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and face shields. In addition, in case of home isolation, if the patient has ordered food delivery, the wastes include used food containers and tissue paper. It is likely to be contaminated and become infectious waste. They need to be handled properly to prevent the spread of virus.

Mr. Supawit Amornyut, Public Health Expert, Health center for Ethnic Group, Marginal People and Migrant Worker said that as for the example of infectious waste management at Lampang Hospital, the autoclaving is used in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law. Biological standards must be checked by spore test.

As for the disposal by incineration, the temperature of the incineration chamber must be controlled as prescribed by law and as for the infectious waste management in field hospitals and waiting areas, it is technically not different from the management in hospitals which focuses on hygiene and safety, collection method, infectious waste transportation procedures, operators, materials and disposal method that must comply with the law.

For those who isolate at home, they are suggested to manage infectious waste that can be done at home as instructed as follows: dispose infectious waste inside the infectious garbage bag (red bag), close tightly the bag with disinfectant spray then put it into another garbage bag, gather them in the safe spot and coordinate with relevant responsible units, such as local administrative organizations, private companies, community hospitals or sub-district health promotion hospitals for further disposal. If there is no collection service in the area, pack the infectious waste in a black garbage bag with disinfectant and put it into another bag along with the written label specifying the type of waste inside the bag.

Dr. Nattakorn Chuchuay, Assistant to the President for Management and Academic Affairs, Lampang Campus concluded that the current infectious waste situation is not uncommon. All of us can create infectious waste, which is at least a face mask that is used regularly. It is considered an infectious waste because it might be contaminated by secretions. In terms of policy management, it was found that here are many problems as mentioned by various media or academic reports.

Therefore, it is an important issue for infectious waste management and should be improved urgently, for example, policy advocates should seriously find the root cause of the problem, accelerate the improvement of the policy to be in line with the real practices and create mechanisms to handle problems. In addition, agencies involved in spatial management, personnel, officials and people must be aware of the infectious waste overflow crisis and work together to change behaviors to reduce the amount of infectious waste. Moreover, they should support each other for waste disposal operations to avoid the critical condition.