| 8 Views 3 August 2026 |
On Monday, August 3, 2026, at 09:00 a.m., the International Relations Office of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University (MUPY) hosted two international delegations during a reception and welcoming session held in Room 606 of the Rajaratana Building. The visiting groups comprised delegates from the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy (UA), the United States, led by Professor Michael Katz under the 2026 Study Abroad Program and Site Visit, and the Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Japan, led by Professor Dr. Yoshimasa Saito. The event was graciously attended by Assoc. Prof. Surakit Nathisuwan, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sitaporn Youngkong, Deputy Dean for Global Partnerships and Corporate Communication, and Asst. Prof. Wipharak Rattanavipanon, Assistant Dean for the Doctor of Pharmacy Program (International Program), who jointly extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegates.
The program commenced with welcoming remarks delivered by Assoc. Prof. Surakit Nathisuwan, followed by a special lecture entitled “Pharmacy Education and Profession in Thailand”, which introduced the development of pharmacy education, professional practice, and the evolving role of pharmacists within Thailand's healthcare system. During the visit of the delegation from Keio University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sitaporn Youngkong also met with the delegates to discuss potential avenues for future academic collaboration and to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between the two institutions.
In the afternoon, students from the University of Arizona participated in an intercultural dialogue session entitled “Pharmacy Education in Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia” alongside ASEAN students participating in the 2026 Bhe Saj Sawasdee Program (Year 2). The session provided a valuable platform for exchanging perspectives on pharmacy education across different countries, while the UA students also shared insights into pharmacy education and professional training in the United States.
The visiting delegation from the University of Arizona comprised two faculty members and six Pharm.D. students, while the delegation from Keio University consisted of three faculty members and twenty undergraduate students. Both visits aimed to advance academic and professional exchange by sharing knowledge on healthcare systems, public health, pharmaceutical care management, and the evolving roles of pharmacists through campus-based learning activities and external site visits. Furthermore, the visits sought to strengthen international collaboration and enhance the global recognition of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, and its partner institutions.
The reception and academic exchange further reinforced the Faculty's commitment to producing globally competent pharmacy graduates through meaningful international engagement and intercultural learning, in line with the Faculty's First Mission of producing high-quality graduates who meet international standards, possess professional competence and ethical values, and are well prepared to serve society. The activities also strengthened long-standing partnerships with leading overseas institutions, paving the way for future collaborative education, student mobility, faculty exchange, and joint academic initiatives. Moreover, the event contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by promoting international learning experiences and cross-cultural educational exchange, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by fostering sustainable global partnerships and advancing international cooperation in pharmacy education and professional development.
News Article by the International Relations Unit
Photography by the Information Technology Unit
