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), 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.

Thammasat University Hospital moved forward and helped COVID patients through the “TAXI Volunteers COVID Concern and Support” Project by wearing PPE and using screens when accepting-sending patients. Thammasat University Hospital did home isolations of more than 500 patients. Most of the patients were concerned about waste, wanted to build understanding in the community and wanted someone to talk to every day.

Prof. Dr. Surapon Nitikraipot, Chairman of the Executive Board, Thammasat University Hospital, spoke about a major problem for hospitals caring for COVID patients in the country, which is patient transportation for trips to the hospital, returning home, sending patients to the agencies involved or home isolations where some patients at home need to see a doctor to follow-up on symptoms and have travel limitations. The “TAXI Volunteers COVID Concern and Support” Project is the beginning of support with systems for preventing infections in order to provide good safety for drivers. This is a small matter of logistics in Thammasat’s process to help patients with fees at normal rates. However, if patients have no money, the fees will be paid on their behalf.

“This project is a small encouragement to help make our system of care for patients more complete. I would like to thank supporters, and I believe this may be the beginning of logistical changes for patients in need. Patients need more support and this small mechanism will make our system more complete”, said Prof. Dr. Surapon.

Dr. Kanitta Buranapansak, Head of Social Security, Thammasat University Hospital, stated that “The “Taxi Volunteers COVID Concern and Support” Project” is a project that builds on the “Fight COVID @ Pathumthani” Project, a project allied to the project to improve capacity of social workers, social care models and empower communities for social monitoring and management for patients and persons affected by COVID-19 supported by the Social Security Office. For nearly seven months, the project continues to move forward. The “TAXI Volunteers COVID Concern and Support” Project currently has six vehicles picking up patients and taking patents from home to hospital. Every taxi driver wears PPE and has screens in the vehicle for safety to give both driver and patient confidence. At the same time, social workers have found COVID-19 patients to have concerns about waste and need someone to talk to every day.

A professional nurse, Miss Nettip Booncharat, Deputy Director of the Home Isolation Coordination Center, revealed that 526 patients were being treated in the home isolation system, 130 patients had completed the project and more than 30 patients had severe symptoms with 271 patients remaining in the project. In addition to providing attentive care for patients via the Telehealth system, Thammasat University Hospital handed out self-care booklets with survival sets or isolation sets for children and adults complete with necessary equipment such as thermometers, fingertip oxygen measuring devices, waste sorting bags and medications for patients in the green group, including food delivery services.

From August 9, Thammasat University Hospital will be 1 of 6 medical school hospitals assigned as a distribution center for Remdesivir which is an antiviral drug for yellow or orange cases which are symptomatic patients. It is more efficient than the existing medication, Favipiravir, and can be used to stop the virus.

Remdesivir may cause unwanted side effects which must be exclusively used under close supervision of medical professionals from the medical school hospital. Thammasat University Hospital should be more assured and hopeful for this solution because they have been provided more effective equipment from the Ministry of Health.

Thammasat University Hospital has been managing the COVID-19 situation continuously since the third and fourth wave. They have used workforce and supplied customized equipment and have been receiving the support for more equipment. Although the equipment is not quite sufficient and has been received in a timely manner, the hospital has been supported increasingly. This encouraged Thammasat University Hospital and made them realize that the situation they have encountered and how they have handled it continuously and for so long is not a waste of time because they are able to hold back and receive more support in many aspects for now.

Hopefully we will receive more support until we are able to respond and cease the attack of the COVID- 19 in the near future despite the great losses of many lives already.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Chayakrit Asawathitanon, Dean of the College of Innovation and Asst. Prof. Dr. Noppol Tangchitprom, Director of the Bachelor of Innovation and Digital Transformation (dX) Program, Thammasat University together with the Board of Directors, Mr. Anon Sirisaengthaksin, an Independent Director, Mr. Paul Wong Chee Kin, President and Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Thai Bank Public Company Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote and support the development of students, faculty and personnel which will increase the opportunity to exchange knowledge of personnel and students with quality and expertise in future skills and as well to develop qualified personnel to the society.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Chayakrit Asawathitanon, Dean of the College of Innovation, Thammasat University said that the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding represents the determination of the two parties to jointly develop sustainable personnel as in addition to arranging students an internship to learn moree about business, we also organize a knowledge exchange program with each other.

Mr. Paul Wong Chee Kin, President and Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Thai Bank Public Company Limited revealed that the bank has always been focusing on personnel potential development. This is considered a key element of success in every organization. It is regarded as an important force that drives the business forward and even under the rapid changes as well. The Bank, therefore, promotes education and provides students opportunities to develop their knowledge and abilities through internship and co-operation programs, where students can learn real work from experienced people, enhance problem-solving skills, and work together as a team in order to prepare before entering the work in the future.

‘Thammasat’ initiates the“Ready Senior” platform through “Website-Facebook-Line” to develop a health care community for people aged 50 and older to prepare for retirement and also organize the project “Turning Retirement into Power” in collaboration with 20 businesses to open the “full-time-part-time” job seeking and recruitment market and online training, having Thammasat University Hospital Doctors in charge of Dementia problem management.

Asst. Professor Dr. Duangchai Lorthanavanich, Director of the Center for Business Development and Social Care for the Elderly, Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Thammasat University revealed that now, Thailand has completely entered an aging society and will be entering a super aging society in the next 10 years, with the elderly of the age 60 years old and older of approximately 25% of the total population. Therefore, it is necessary to urgently prepare to resolve and manage the problems of the elderly both socially and economically.

“Our project has signed an MOU with Thammasat University Hospital in designing a curriculum in the Elderly’s and Patients with Dementia’s Caregiving which will train people of the age 50 years old and older to be able to take care of themselves and their families, as well as extending to the career of caregiver for the elderly. This career will be in great demand in the near future,” said Asst. Professor Dr. Duangjai.

Assoc. Professor Dr. Pharuehas Tor-Udom, Director of Thammasat University Hospital said that dementia will become a more threatening disease for Thai people as the elderly live longer. Therefore, knowledge and understanding of the matter will help delay the occurrence of the disease. The medical team and personnel of Thammasat Uninversity Hospital are ready in this regard. Therefore, we have partnered with the Turning Retirement into Power Project by using Thammasat Hospice Palliative Care which is a palliative care center as the main teaching and training venue.

For those interested in the project, “Turning Retirement into Power” that intend to develop themselves, build a career and seek opportunities both pre and post retirement can contact to participate in the activities via Facebook page and Line of Ready Senior for free of charge.

“Kor Tae Nhoi (May I touch you?) Team”, students from the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasat University, with Professor Panwadee Prayong as the consultant, was able to win the “first prize” from the 30th J-MAT Award Marketing Plan Contest, which is one of the largest student marketing plan contests in the country and also received the Creative Award and the Best Advisor Award from the contest.

The 30th J-MAT Award Marketing Plan Contest is a competition organized by the Young Members of the Marketing Association of Thailand (J-MAT) Club under the supervision of the Marketing Association of Thailand with the Big Star Company Limited, the producer and distributor of GAMBOL brand shoes under the concept of Chic…Walk, Cool…Idea” as a sponsor. This year, a total of 214 teams submitted their works to the project, of which, the champion went to the Thammasat student from the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Advertising Major who could win a prize money of 130,000 baht and a royal plaque from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

“Kor Tae Nhoi Team” is a team of a total of 10 fourth-year students, namely Ms. Kannaphit Prasiratenang, Ms. Papvard Trakulkooboon, Mr. Peerapat Bunnikom, Mr. Puritat Konchanawan, Mr. Thanavich Yawanopas, Mr. Phoptawan Punprom, Ms. Nannaphat Chunhengpan, Ms. Methavadee Sripaoraya, Ms. Apisara Boonyu and Mr. Suparerk Adisaiyatham.

Ms. Kannaphit Prasiratenang, one of the team members said that even though she is not majoring in marketing, but by studying various modules in the Faculty of Journalism, she is able to adopt and apply those knowledge both in terms of marketing, advertising, modern technology media and the study of consumer behavior in this era that is rapidly changing. The concept of the project is “Chic…Walk, Cool…Idea” which matches those in Gen-X and Gen-Y and matches the target group that the team has set. So, in order to gain insights from the customers, the team therefore proposed the concept “GAMBOLlisation”, that derived from the brand name Gambol, plus Globalization, making the brand communication more relatable to people and able to universally communicate to those around the world.

As for the marketing plan, “Kor Tae Nhoi Team” presented the plan that is not focusing purely on marketing, but including the aspects of technology, creativity, design, and investment as well. Their aim is to reach the attention of the new generation according to the problems received.

AI or Artificial Intelligence is the technology behind the giant social media application like Facebook in selecting content to show on the page, creating ads, and recommending the right feed for each user. The content revolution in the age of AI is driven by the power of advanced computing in supercomputers (HPC: High Performance Computing) originally used for advanced engineering and scientific research and used in AI calculations as well. The ability to extract computing power on HPC systems is therefore an important force that can help support the economy and drive the country’s advanced technology business.

It is praiseworthy when a team of computer science students from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Lampang Campus, as a representative of Thai youth who can pave their way on the stage of APAC HPC-AI 2021, a competition on the performance of artificial intelligence models for computing on high-performance computers by winning the joint 3rd prize together with the team from National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan and the team from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Thammasat team consists of the following members; Mr. Abhisit Wongsorn, a fourth-year student, Mr. Nophanat Nampan, a fourth-year student, Ms. Suchada Suriwong, a fourth-year student, Ms. Suchanan Jaimuk, a fourth-year student, Mr. Supakiat Waipinij, a third-year student and Ms. Siripassorn Kwanjit, a third-year student.

APAC HPC-AI 2021 is an international competition of the Asia-Pacific region, organized by the HPC-AI Advisory Council and the National Supercomputing Center (NSCC) Singapore. The competition aims to draw on the performance of artificial intelligence models to compute on high-performance computers. For this year, it is the fourth time of the competition, presents 36 teams from 13 countries competing online over a five-month period.

Mr. Abhisit said that this competition is the use of high-performance computers of the National Supercomputing Center (NSCC) in Singapore to solve problem in which differ every year. This year, there will be 2 problems, which are HPC and AI problems. The HPC problem requires us to extract the performance of the GROMACS program to simulate the molecular dynamics of STMV and Lignocellulos viruses to perform computing on a high-performance computer using up to 768 CPUs at the same time for maximum efficiency. The problem of AI, we need to draw on the performance of the Facebook feed item recommendation model (Facebook DLRM) when computing on an Nvidia DGX-1 GPU cluster.

“In the competition, Thammasat team is divided into 2 sub-teams, having 3 people in each, and each team would receive a HPC model problem which is regarded as one of the common problems. To analyze this model, we selected suitable tools that have been studied earlier. As for the artificial intelligence model problem, it is not as widespread as the HPC model, the team however was trying their best to offer effective and achievable results,” said Abhisit.