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On Friday, September 26, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sitaporn Youngkong, Deputy Dean for Global Partnerships and Corporate Communication, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, paid a high-level courtesy visit and engaged in academic exchange at the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Program of Keio University’s School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan. The visit aimed to foster knowledge exchange and build collaborative networks in Health Technology Assessment (HTA). Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surasak Saokaew, Dean of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, also joined the delegation.

The visit's main activity was a roundtable discussion regarding the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Program, facilitating an in-depth exchange of perspectives and best practices. The delegation was welcomed by Professor Dr. Rei Goto, Director of the HTA Program, and Assistant Professor Dr. Shunsuke Uno. Discussions highlighted the critical role of HTA in supporting evidence-based healthcare policy and resource allocation. This focused exchange successfully advanced the core objective: establishing a framework for robust, mutually beneficial academic collaboration in this specialized, policy-driven area.

This successful exchange is expected to lead directly to future collaborations in HTA between Mahidol University’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Keio University’s School of Medicine, enhancing both institutions' academic and research capacities. This initiative aligns with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by building effective international collaborations that support national healthcare systems. Furthermore, by focusing on HTA—a crucial tool for improving the efficiency and equity of health expenditure—the exchange directly contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, promoting evidence-based health policy decisions.