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On September 9–11, 2026, administrative members of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University (MUPY), led by Assoc. Prof. Surakit Nathisuwan, Dean; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sitaporn Youngkong, Deputy Dean for Global Partnerships and Corporate Communication; and Dr. Pongpol Thanuphol, Assistant Dean for Corporate Communication, participated in the 5th ASEAN PharmNET Conference 2026, arranged at M World Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Organized by the School of Pharmacy, Taylor’s University, in collaboration with Mahidol University, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and Monash University Malaysia, the conference was held under the theme “Integrating Education, Practice and Research Across Regions.” The event brought together approximately 400 participants from ASEAN PharmNET partner universities, including researchers, pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and industry partners. The conference opened with welcoming remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Renukha Sellappans, Head of the School of Pharmacy, Taylor’s University, followed by special remarks from Assoc. Prof. Surakit Nathisuwan, MUPY Dean, delivered on behalf of the ASEAN PharmNET Secretariat Office.

The conference served as a regional platform for connecting academic knowledge, professional practice, research, and innovation to address emerging challenges in pharmacy and healthcare across Southeast Asia. Through a series of symposia, forums, and academic exchanges, participants explored key topics including health economics, health outcomes research and policy impact, artificial intelligence in drug discovery, pharmacy education, advanced therapies, drug mechanisms, and translational pharmacology. MUPY faculty members also contributed actively to the academic program through invited presentations and academic leadership roles. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Usa Chaikledkaew delivered a presentation entitled “Advancing Universal Health Coverage through Health Technology Assessment: Lessons from Thailand and Emerging Experiences across ASEAN” in Symposium 1: Health Economics, Outcomes Research & Policy Impact. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surakit Nathisuwan presented “Implementing Professional Standards Frameworks to Enhance Academic Staff Development and Educational Innovation: Mahidol University’s Experience” in Symposium 5: Pharmacy Education and also served as a panelist in the Education Forum, “From National Perspectives to Regional Progress: Pharmacy Education in ASEAN.” In addition, Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatchakorn Eurtivong served as a chair for Symposium 3: AI in Drug Discovery, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vilasinee Hirunpanich Sato chaired Symposium 7: Advanced Therapies, Drug Mechanisms & Translational Pharmacology.

MUPY’s participation further extended to the dissemination of research and academic work, with nine MUPY staff members contributing presentations at the conference.

Academic staff presentations: Seven academic staff members delivered three oral and four poster presentations.

Oral presentations:

1. “Discovery of Novel 1,3-Thiazolidin-4-ones as AMPK Activators for the Suppression of Hepatic Lipid Accumulation,” presented by Dr. Chaiyawat Aonsri.
2. “Identification of indole-2-carbohydrazides as promising anti-tubulin and anticancer,” delivered by Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatchakorn Eurtivong.
3. “Effectiveness of preventive migraine medications on the risk of medication overuse in patients with migraine: a real-world cohort study,” delivered by Dr. Teerapong Aramruang.

Poster presentations:

1. “Optimization of bioactive compounds extraction from black garlic using hot water extraction and microwave-assisted extraction with response surface methodology,” presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Savita Chewchinda.
2. “Effect of surfactants on the conversion of cannabidiol (CBD) to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in simulated gastric fluid,” delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vilasinee Hirunpanich Sato.
3. “Assessment of prebiotic potential of dietary fiber-bound phenolic compounds from mangosteen fruit,” presented by Dr. Pongpol Thanuphol.
4. “Syntheses of 2-Alkylated and 2-Oxyalkylated Quinazolinones via Transition Metal-Free Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling Reaction,” presented by Dr. Teerawat Songsichan.

Supporting staff presentations: Two supporting staff members contributed poster presentations.

1. Dr. Amporn Songkasiri presented “Global Citizenship Attitudes of Pharmacy Students Following Participation in International Exchange Programs.”
2. Ms. Kantaporn Jolumluk presented “Pharmacist Noodi Mission: Development and Evaluation of a Gamified Problem-Based Learning Activity in Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics Education.”

Student participation: 12 sixth-year MUPY students participated in the conference and contributed six poster presentations, providing them with opportunities to disseminate their academic work, exchange knowledge with peers from across the region, and gain experience in an international academic setting. The students’ poster presentations included:

1. Project Title: Protective effects of Phenylallylpentane-2,4-dione deriatives in LPS-induced activation of BV-2 microglial cells (Presenters: Ms. Thanyaphat Sahaya and Ms. Supitcha Nilrat)
2. Project Title: Cost-effectiveness Analysis of subcutaneous Semaglutide 2.4 mg injection in patient with obesity (Presenters: Ms. Boonraksa Neesanan and Ms. Nattamon Mitranya)
3. Project Title: Association Between Long-Term Use of Gastric Acid Suppressants and Cancer Risk: A Matched Case-Control Study at Siriraj Hospital (Presenters: Ms. Chayapa Kaprasit and Ms. Jiraya Klangtipparat)
4. Project Title: Associations of vitamin D levels, and genetic polymorphism of vitamin D receptor with clinical outcomes of diabetic nephropathy: Systematic review and meta-analysis (Presenters: Mr. Panthong Pinjinda and Ms. Piyada Suwansaya)
5. Project Title: Medication Literacy among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension at hospital in bangkok, Thailand Presenters: Mr. Wachirawit Dhamchaiphojana and Ms. Ketkanya Amnuay)
6. Project Title: The systhesis of triazolyl ester derivatives of Rosmarinic acid as anti-cancer agents (Presenters: Mr. Phuri Sanprasert and Ms. Wannida Juiprasert)

The broad participation of MUPY executives, academic and supporting staff, and students demonstrated the Faculty’s active engagement in regional academic collaboration and knowledge dissemination. The presentations covered diverse areas of pharmaceutical sciences, healthcare outcomes, drug discovery, natural products, pharmacology, pharmaceutical education, and international learning, reflecting the breadth and interdisciplinary nature of MUPY’s academic and research activities. The conference also provided opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge and expertise, establish professional connections, and identify potential avenues for future academic and research collaboration across ASEAN. Through its active contributions to the conference, MUPY advanced its missions to produce graduates with high-quality competencies and international standards who are equipped to respond to societal needs, and to produce and disseminate research and innovation meeting national and international standards.

The 5th ASEAN PharmNET Conference 2026 demonstrated the value of regional academic partnerships in advancing pharmacy education, research, and professional practice. By bringing together approximately 400 participants from partner universities and diverse sectors, and by providing opportunities for academic staff and students to present and exchange their work, the conference promoted knowledge sharing, inclusive academic engagement, and cross-border collaboration. Accordingly, the conference contributed to SDG 4: Quality Education through academic exchange, educational innovation, student engagement, and the sharing of best practices in pharmacy education; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by fostering inclusive opportunities for knowledge exchange, international academic participation, and professional networking among institutions and participants across ASEAN; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by strengthening multilateral collaboration among universities, researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry partners to advance sustainable solutions for healthcare and pharmaceutical development in the region.

News Information by International Relations Unit
News Article by the International Relations Unit
Photography by the International Relations Unit