Volume 19 Number 3 (September - December 2012) - Mahidol ...

The International Newsletter of Mahidol University, Thailand
ISSN 0859-6670 Volume 19 • Number 3 • September - December 2012
www.mahidol.ac.th
Mahidol University - A Focus on ASEAN,
Internationalization and Social Responsibility
Contents >>
Research >>
Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine Siriraj
Hospital becomes the first medical facility in
Southeast Asia to perform robotic surgery on patients
with partial knee-joint problems. Spectrum talks
to Assoc. Prof. Keerati Charoencholvanich M.D,
Orthopaedic Surgeon, about this innovative procedure.
2 6 and 7 10
The ASEAN Column >> Awards >>
Mahidol University executives, staff and
students continue to prepare for the launch
of the ASEAN Community in 2015 with an
array of awareness and network building
activities. The column includes the latest
news about the Mahidol University International
Relations Ambassadors.
Top international awards go to
students from the Faculty of ICT
at the Microsoft Imagine Cup
2012, Australia, and to a graduate of
the College of Music at the Grandi
Voci 2012 Voice Competition in
Austria.

Mahidol
University’s
Faculty of
Medicine Siriraj
Hospital has
become the first
medical facility in
Southeast Asia
to perform robotic surgery on patients
with partial knee-joint problems.
Talking to Spectrum, Assoc. Prof. Keerati
Charoencholvanich M.D, Orthopaedic
Surgeon, Adult Reconstrutive Surgery
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
explained the main advantages of this
procedure, describing how the surgery
is more accurate, convenient and quicker
than traditional forms of surgery.
The robotic equipment has three
main components – a camera, to view
the surgery in real-time; a computer, to
calculate how and where to make cuts;
and a robotic arm under the control of
the surgeons. The procedure is referred
to as a “semi-active”, as even though robotic
The controversial practice of
removing the eyestalk of female
black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in
the aquaculture industry (eyestalk ablation)
could soon be over if a new technique
to stimulate ovarian maturation and
spawning developed by a molecular
biologist at Mahidol University proves to
be a viable alternative.
Traditionally, female shrimp have had
their eyestalks removed to dispose of
a gland that produces gonad-inhibiting
hormone (GIH) which controls ovarian
maturation. Unfortunately, this procedure
quickly exhausts the female broodstock,
increases production costs, and attracts
accusations of cruelty. Due to the
lack of alternatives, the practice has
continued. However, this situation may
change thanks to researchers at the
Institute of Molecular Biosciences-
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Apinunt Udomkit, and
2 • September - December 2012, Vol. 19, No. 3
Siriraj Hospital - A Pioneer In
Robotic Knee Surgery
equipment is used, it is monitored
and controlled by experienced
orthopaedic surgeons. Crucially,
robotic surgery reduces the chance
of errors being made and leads to
more precise incisions and cuts to the
bone and reduced damage to surrounding
tissues. Furthermore, as robotic surgery
tends to leave behind a much smaller
wound, patients also recuperate more
quickly and are able to perform routine
activities shortly after their procedure. In
fact, they typically maintain a wide-range
of motion that is remarkably similar to
healthy people.
The use of this technology will
undoubtedly bring enormous benefits to
people suffering from problems with their
knee-joints; it also reinforces the Department’s,
the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital’s
reputation as a premier centre of
Humane Technique for use in
Shrimp Farming
Dr. Supattra Treerattrakool, who have
developed a strategy to induce
reproductive maturation in adult female
P. monodon by working at the molecular
level to block the activity of the GIH. Assoc.
Prof. Udomkit and Dr.Treerattrakool
hope this technique will make the removal
of eyestalks redundant.
This innovation could provide
significant benefits for shrimp farmers
as it would automatically reduce the use
of both wild caught and domesticated
female broodstock and therefore cut
the production costs involved in breeding
shrimp. Another potential benefit is that
female broodstock could be kept in
captivity for longer periods. This would
allow for the identification of good
breeders which could be selectively
bred to supply high-quality seed for the
aquaculture industry. Both aspects could
have huge commercial benefits for the
Thai and global aquaculture industry.
orthopaedic surgery within the region.
In order to help promote the use of
this technology and to mark the 48 th
anniversary of Department of Orthopaedic
Surgery, the hospital is offering special
discounts of up to 50% for 48 patients
who opt for this pioneering form of
surgery.
For more information about The Faculty
of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, including
more news plus contact details, please
visit http://www.si.mahidol.ac.th/eng/
Shrimp have become one of the Thailand’s
top ten export products, worth an
estimated 50 billion Thai Baht (almost
US$ 1.6 billion) annually.
Dr. Treerattrakool adds that “The strategy
would benefit the long-term sustainability
of the country’s black tiger shrimp industry
and increase its competitiveness in the
global market.”

Mahidol University - A Focus on ASEAN,
Internationalization and Social Responsibility
The launch of the ASEAN Community
in 2015 will bring major changes to
countries across the region including
dramatic changes in higher education.
For instance, the internationalization of
the region will create more opportunities
for staff and student exchange as well
as research collaboration. This in turn will
influence the structure and timing of degree
programs, as ASEAN universities begin
to align themselves with their regional
counterparts. As a long-standing advocate
of the internationalization of higher
education, and with its commitment to
achieving world-class learning, teaching
and research, Mahidol University will be
at the forefront of any such developments.
Mahidol University views unprecedented
global connectivity as an opportunity and
the motivation to bring about positive
changes. In order to guide the university
through the establishment of the ASEAN
Community, Mahidol University’s latest
ten-point Development Plan initiated by
Prof. Rajata Rajatanavin, President of
Mahidol University; includes details of
how it intends to “make internationalization
a fundamental component of all University
activities”.
Of course, the establishment of
ASEAN is only one of several issues that
Mahidol University will face over the next
few years. Other important areas include
– identifying novel sources of fund-raising,
exploring new types of partnerships, and
promoting university-wide social responsibility.
Therefore, the development plan also
incorporates the following:
• Guide the formulation of public policies
to benefit society
• Advance the quality of its research,
and tackle the major challenges facing
Thai society
• Support excellence in teaching and
learning through the use of transformative
education
• Use its position as a public autonomous
institution to become more efficient
and flexible in its personal and financial
management
• Create partnerships with government
agencies, the private sector, international
organizations and local communities,
and harness the power of these networks
for the greater public good
• Encourage good governance,
greater transparency and the sharing of
knowledge and opinions on major policy
initiatives
• Help realize Mahidol University’s
determination to become the “Wisdom
of the Land”
• Encourage greater alumni support
in promoting the university within Thailand
and internationally, and
• Make efficient use of the government’s
financial support and promote additional
fundraising efforts.
These ten guiding principles have
led to the creation of Mahidol University
Strategy 2013 - 2016 consisting of
nine dimensions: Research Excellence,
Transformative Education, Health Care
Services Excellence, Internationalization,
Social Responsibility, ICT-based University,
Harmony in Diversity, Management for
Sustainability, and Human Resource
Excellence. It is envisioned that
improvement of human resource and
ICT management and harmonization of
diverse aspects of running a modern
comprehensive university will form a
foundation that enhances the effectiveness
of the four main missions – learning,
research, health care services, and
social responsibility. These four pillars
will in turn support engagement with
national, regional, and global stakeholders.
Clearly, the next few years will be an
exciting and challenging time for universities
throughout the region including Mahidol
University. However, every member
of Mahidol University including its
administration and executives remain
committed to the internationalization of
higher education through the creation
of strong and long-lasting relationships
with national agencies, the public and
private sector, and leading academic
institutions from the ASEAN region and
beyond.
• 3

Mahidol University Strengthens its Ties with
Kathmandu University, Nepal
From 7 th to 10 th November,
Prof. Rajata Rajatanavin,
President, and a team of Mahidol
University executives visited Kathmandu
University, Dhulikhel, Nepal. The
four-day trip incorporated a wide-range
of activities, including the signing of
an extension to a memorandum of
understanding, tours of the university
(including Dhulikhel Hospital), and
discussions with Prof. Dr. Suresh Raj
Sharma, Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu
University; H.E. Mrs. Kanthong Unakul,
Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary, Royal Thai Embassy,
Nepal, and Mahidol University Alumni.
A highlight of their busy itinerary was the
delegation’s attendance at Kathmandu
University’s 18 th Convocation Ceremony,
also attended by the Prime Minister of
Nepal and Chancellor of Kathmandu
The Institute on Disability and Public Policy
Celebrates its First Convocation Ceremony
The world’s first virtual graduate
institute focused on the complex
intersection of disability and public
policy - the Institute on Disability and
Public Policy (IDPP) for the ASEAN
region - held its inaugural convocation
ceremony for graduating students in the
Master’s of Comparative and International
Disability Policy (CIDP) (degree offered
by American University’s School of
International Service (SIS)) at the MU
Learning Centre, Mahidol University. The
ceremony, held on 14 th August 2012,
was attended by H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan,
Secretary General, ASEAN; H.E. Ambassador
Luis Gallegos, Permanent Representative
of Ecuador to the UN; Mr. Shuichi Ohno,
Executive Director, The Nippon Foundation;
Ms. Violeta Ettle, Vice Provost, American
University and Dr. Derrick L. Cogburn,
Executive Director, IDPP and Associate
Professor, SIS, amongst many others.
University, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Baburam
Bhattarai, for which Prof. Rajatanavin
was given the honor of delivering the
convocation address. In his speech
the President urged the assembled
graduates to make the most of any
opportunities they received during
their careers. He also reminded them
of how fortunate they were, and not
to lose sight of those less fortunate,
but rather to focus their careers on
improving people’s livelihoods and access
to healthcare and education. He closed
The institute, which was first envisioned
by the Nippon Foundation and formally
established at a ceremony at Mahidol
University in April 2011, is an international
network of universities and outreach
partners focused on the ASEAN region
and based at American University in
Washington, DC. Utilizing e-learning and
cyber-infrastructure technologies, IDPP
helps to enable ASEAN students who are
blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard
of hearing, or mobility impaired become
disability policy leaders. During a press
conference preceding the ceremony, Dr.
Cogburn explained the institute’s focus
on “Universal Design for Learning” – the
principle that students should be able
to receive information and knowledge
in multiple ways, in this case utilizing
accessible information and communication
technologies. Mr. Ohno added that the
CIDP program is now not only open
his address by informing the audience
that whatever their career paths, they
would receive a greater sense of pride
and achievement by using their skills and
knowledge for the benefit of others.
Mahidol University would like to
extend its sincere gratitude and appreciation
to Prof. Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma and his
colleagues at Kathmandu University for
their kindness and hospitality, and looks
forward to welcoming them to Thailand
in the near future.
to those with disabilities, but also to
those who are interested in the issues
surrounding disability and public policy.
Mr. Jimmy Trianto Utomo, an incoming
CIDP student from Indonesia, summarized
the ambitious aims of the institute and
its students, stating “I want to contribute
to change”.
For more information on this innovative
and unique collaboration, please visit
http://aseanidpp.org
4 • September - December 2012, Vol. 19, No. 3

The Mahidol-Liverpool Stang Mongkolsuk
and Chamlong Harinasuta Scholarships 2012
Spectrum would like to congratulate
Ms. Nungnit Wattanavichean and
Mr. Matthew Phanchana, two graduates
from the Mahidol University’s Faculty of
Science and this year’s recipients of the
Mahidol-Liverpool Stang Mongkolsuk
and Mahidol-Liverpool Chamlong Harinasuta
Scholarships. Both students (pictured
with thier parents) will now pursue their
graduate studies at the University of
Liverpool, UK.
The scholarships pay tribute to the
Late Prof. Dr. Stang Mongkolsuk, the
founder of the Mahidol University’s
Faculty of Science and the Late Prof.
Emer. Chamlong Harinasuta, the founder
of its Faculty of Tropical Medicine. Both
Prof. Dr. Mongkolsuk and Prof. Emer.
Harinasuta conducted their graduate
studies at the University of Liverpool,
one of the UK’s leading academic and
research institutions, before returning to
Thailand. These awards therefore intend
to celebrate the legacy of these two
pioneers and the historic relationship
between Mahidol University and University of
Liverpool, by providing research training
to the next generation of Thai researchers.
Ms. Wattanavichean, the recipient of
the Mahidol-Liverpool Stang Mongkolsuk
scholarship, told Spectrum that she was
looking forward to her time in the UK
and her PhD will be entitled “Ultrafast
spectroscopy of molecular electronic
junction”. Meanwhile, Mr. Phanchana,
who received the Chamlong-Harinasuta
scholarship and whose PhD is entitled
“System pharmacology of anti-malarial
action”, encouraged other students to
study overseas, adding that it would
“open up their world to a whole new
experience.”
Asian Management – Executive Seminar 2012
From 18 th to 27 th July, the College
of Management Mahidol University
(CMMU) was host to 25 international
MBA students from Lucerne University of
Applied Sciences and Arts in Switzerland,
Universidad San Francisco de Quito in
Ecuador and the University of Otago
in New Zealand. The students were
participants of the “Asian Management
– Executive Seminar”, an annual event
which focused on examining the various
aspects of intercultural management and
doing business in the Asia-Pacific region.
Specifically, the seminar aimed to allow
participants to share ideas with some
of Thailand’s and Southeast Asia’s top
academic and business experts.
Throughout the one-week seminar,
participants were able to attend sessions
on a wide-range of related issues,
including cross-cultural management,
marketing, leadership, and intercultural
business management. Classroom sessions
were supplemented by visits to some
of Thailand’s and the world’s leading
companies including Thai President
Foods, Central Retail Corporation, the
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and Nestle.
Thanks to the kind support of Bangkok
Airways, participants were also able to
fly to Koh Samui (Samui Island) in the
Gulf of Thailand and visit the picturesque
Samui International Airport and the Centara
Grand Beach Resort.
Feedback from the participants
revealed that the week was considered
a great success. In fact, many respondents
stated that they would like to return
and would recommend the seminar to
others. CMMU therefore looks forward
to welcoming more participants to subsequent
Asian Management – Executive Seminars.
To learn more about the international
activities and courses provided by
CMMU, please visit http://www.cmmu.
mahidol.ac.th/cmmu/index.php
• 5

Strengthening Mahidol University’s
Relationships with ASEAN Institutions
Countdow
Mahidol University continues to prepare for the launch of the ASEAN
building activities. In this issue of the ASEAN Colum
President Rajatanavin visits the dental
clinic of the International University
I
Paññasastra University of Cambodia
ntending to forge new relationships
with ASEAN universities and strengthen
existing ones, Mahidol University has
embarked upon a series of visits to
academic institutions throughout the
region. Starting with Cambodia, from
5 th to 7 th September 2012, Prof. Rajata
Rajatanvin, President, Asst. Prof. Surakit
Nathisuwan, Vice President for International
Relations and Ms. Boonyarat Suwanchinda,
Director, International Relations Division,
visited the Royal University of Phnom
Penh, International University, Paññasastra
University of Cambodia, and the Université
des Sciences de la Santé (University of
Health Sciences of Cambodia). Discussions
focused on various ASEAN-related topics,
such as areas of collaboration with an
emphasis on student exchange.
Later, from 18 th to 19 th October 2012,
the delegates visited Universiti Brunei
Darussalam (UBD) joined by Asst. Prof.
Bundhit Jirajariyavej, Vice President for
Université des Sciences de la Santé
Student and University Affairs and Dr.
Puwat Charukamnoetkanok, Assistant
to the President for International
Relations, Here they were welcomed
by Dato Paduka Dr. Haji Zulkarnain
bin Haji Hanafi, Permanent Secretary
of Higher Education at the Ministry of
Education and Vice-Chancellor of UBD.
Signing an MoU with Mahidol University
the Vice Chancellor stated that the
agreement will “mark the beginning of
a significant partnership between the two
universities.” Prof. Rajatanavin added that
the MoU was “a reflection of the shared
commitment by both universities towards
excellence in teaching and research”. The
delegates were also able to discuss the
implications of ASEAN on higher education
in the region and opportunities for future
collaboration. Potential areas include
biodiversity, energy agro-technology,
food security, Islamic Banking, Finance,
Governance and Asian Studies.
International Relations Ambassadors
Join the 10 th ASEAN Youth
Cultural Forum
From 6 th to 11 th October 2012, five Mahidol University International Relations
Ambassadors and their advisor joined the 10 th ASEAN Youth Cultural
Forum (AYCF) held in Banda Seri Begawan, Brunei Darusalam.
Royal University of Phnom Penh
Universiti Brunei Darussalam
The delegation would like to express
their sincere gratitude for the warm welcomes
they received in Cambodia and Brunei
Darussalam. They would also like to
thank the Royal Thai Embassies in
Phnom Penh and Brunei Darussalam for
their assistance and hospitality.
6 • September - December 2012, Vol. 19, No. 3

n to 2015
Community in 2015 with a wide-range of awareness and network
n, we report on some of the most recent highlights.
This annual event, which is hosted
on a rotational basis by institutions
throughout the region, is organized by
the ASEAN University Network (AUN).
This year, the event was hosted by the
University of Brunei Darusalam under
the theme “Unity Through Diversity” and
provided a venue for ASEAN youth to
showcase their cultures while learning
more about their neighbors.
The Ambassadors were led by Ms.
Sakotkarn Thanadsornsarn from Mahidol
University International College (MUIC),
who was joined by Mr. Karin Kujara
Na Ayudhaya and Ms. Nattawadee
Thanamahamonghol, also from MUIC. Also
attending were Ms. Sitanan Pinsuwan and
Mr. Harmish Muszid from the Faculty
of Liberal Arts. Advising the students
was Mr. Vatit Duriyangoon, an expert in
Thai traditions and culture from Mahidol
University’s Research Institute of
Languages and Cultures of Asia.
In preparation for the first day of the
Forum, participants from 14 universities
representing 8 ASEAN member states
each prepared a cultural show. This
resulted in a colorful and memorable
opening ceremony, perfectly illustrating
the cultural diversity represented by the
ASEAN region and greatly impressing
the audience.
Over the next few days, students
took part in numerous activities, including
workshops focused on traditional Bruneian
dance and music. These were then
integrated into a two hour performance
during the closing ceremony. Field trips
and excursions also allowed the students
to explore Brunei’s historical, cultural
and religious landmarks including the
floating village and the iconic Jame’ Asr
Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. As a result,
students gained a deeper understanding
ASEAN Symposium: AEC 2015 and Beyond.
Human Capital Implications
Over 250 local and expatriate business professionals from
across Thailand attended the ASEAN Symposium “AEC 2015
and Beyond. Human Capital Implications” co-hosted by the College
of Management Mahidol University International Program and Wall
Street Institute on 4 th October 2012. The event intended to raise
awareness on the implications for human capital as a result of the
creation of the ASEAN Community and to propose solutions for
recruitment, training and retention of staff post 2015. The conference
commenced with a welcome speech from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Annop
Tanlamai, Dean of CMMU (pictured), and was followed by an interactive
panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Tana Akson, Managing Director
of AMROP (pictured), with five distinguished panelists drawn from
the business and government sectors (pictured).
of traditional and modern lifestyles within
Brunei. Overall, it was reported that the
event was a great success, allowing those
who attended to create new friendships
with their fellow students from across
the region.
The 11 th AYCF will be held in Malaysia
in 2013. For more information on the
AUN and the AYCF, please visit, http://
www.aunsec.org/site/main/web/
From left: Mr. Sutiwat Soithong, Trade Officer, Department of Trade
Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce (panellist); Mr. Patrick Ollivier, Senior
VP Human Resources, Accor Asia Pacific (panelist); Mr. Shirish Sharma,
MD, Premthai International Ltd. (panelist); Ms. Tana Akson, MD, AMROP
(moderator); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Annop Tanlamai, Dean of CMMU; Mr.
Prapas Thongsuk, EVP, CIMB Thai Bank PCL (panelist) & Mr. Michel
Le Quellec, CEO, Wall Street Institute, Thailand and Vietnam – (panelist).
• 7

New Scholarships
for Cambodian
Students Announced
On 31 st August, Asst. Prof. Surakit Nathisuwan, Vice
President for International Relations visited the Royal
Aide-de-Camp Department to present six scholarships
open to Cambodian students to H.R.H Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn (pictured). Each year, Thai Universities are invited
to provide scholarships to support the Royal Projects open to
disadvantaged Cambodian students. This year, four Mahidol
University faculties (the Faculties of Public Health, Information
and Communication Technology, Medicine Siriraj Hospital and
Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital) responded by providing the
following seven scholarships for the academic year 2013 – a
Master of Public Health in Occupational Health and Safety,
two Masters of Science in Computer Science, two Bachelors
of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine and two Bachelors of
Nursing.
Kyushu University-Short
-Term Student Exchange
Program
Thanks to the short-term student exchange program between
Mahidol University and Kyushu University, Japan, from 19 th August
to 1 st Sept 2012, 15 Japanese undergraduates were given first hand
experience of student life at Mahidol University. During their
two-week stay, the students took part in various activities organized
by the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Mahidol University International
College, and the International Relations Division, Office of the
President, with the kind support of Mahidol University students.
A range of activities provided the students with insights into
many aspects of Thai language and culture. Highlights included, Thai
language classes, participatory Thai music and dance demonstrations,
cooking classes, and numerous cultural trips and excursions.
The short-term student exchange program is a two-way, annual
event, organized between Kyushu and Mahidol Universities in support
of strengthening the links between Japanese and Thai students
interested in the studying languages and culture.
8 • September - December 2012, Vol. 19, No. 3

New Appointments at Mahidol University
Vice President for Education Prof. Wanicha Chuenkongkaew has been appointed as the Vice
President for Education, Mahidol University. Prof Chuenkongkaew holds a Doctor of Medicine from Chulalongkorn
University, Thailand and is a Fellow of the W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Medical Center,
Ann Arbor, US and Kitasato University, Kanakawa, Japan. Prof. Chuenkongkaew’s professional and research
expertise is in the field of ophthalmology, (the physiology and diseases of the eye). She has been the head of
the Neuro-ophthalmology Division, Department of Ophthalmology at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital since
1995, and the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs since 2005. Prof. Chuenkongkaew is also a member of several
ophthalmological societies, managing editor of the Siriraj Medical Journal, assistant manager for the Health
Professional Education Reforms Project, and author of numerous national and international peer-reviewed papers.
Vice President for Kanchanaburi Campus Asst. Prof. Kamlang Chumpolbanchorn has been
appointed as the Vice President for Kanchanaburi Campus, Mahidol University. Asst. Prof. Chumpolbanchorn holds
a Ph.D in Tropical Medicine from Mahidol University, an M.Sc in Microbiology from Universiti Pertanian Malaysia
and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Asst. Prof. Chumpolbanchorn’s main
areas of research are the biosecurity of poultry farms, poultry diseases, animal vaccine and vaccine development,
animal drugs, disinfectant and probiotics. He has an extensive professional and research background in the
field of animal health, particularly diseases of livestock. Employed by the Department of Livestock Development,
he has been involved in the production of animal vaccines and the diagnosis of Rabies; he also offered advice
on improved poultry health whilst based at Laemthong Corporation Ltd. In 2000, he became Assistant Dean
for Education at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University and has since been the Head of its
Department of Clinical and Public Health Medicine and its Deputy Dean for Administration.
Dean of the Faculty of Tropical Medicine Assoc. Prof. Yaowalark Sukthana has been
appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Tropical Medicine. Assoc. Prof. Sukthana’s primary research interests
include Toxoplasmosis (a disease caused by the parasitic protozoan - Toxoplasma gondii). She is also the lead
or co-author of numerous international publications. Assoc. Prof. Sukthana received her B.Sc. and Doctorate
of Veterinary Medicine from Kasetsart University and later received her M.D from Phramongkutklao College of
Medicine, before pursuing residency training in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ear, nose, and throat). Switching to
Tropical Medicine, she received a DTM&H and MCTM from Mahidol University and training in clinical and laboratory
techniques for Toxoplasmosis in both Austria and the UK. Assoc. Prof. Sukthana then spent several years as
a Royal Medical Officer before returning to Mahidol University and joining the Faculty of Tropical Medicine and
its Department of Protozoology in 1995, becoming Head of the department in 2002. She was also Deputy
Director on Planning, Research and Development for Mahidol University International College from 2005 and
Vice President for Education in 2011.
Dean of College of Management Mahidol University Assoc. Prof. Annop Tanlamai has
been appointed as the Dean of the College of Management. Assoc. Prof. Tanlamai holds a Doctor of Engineering
Management and a M.S. in Engineering Management from University of Missouri, U.S, a MBA in Quantitative
Business Analysis from Indiana University, Bloomington, US and a B.Eng from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
From 2007 – 2011, Assoc. Prof. Tanlamai was the Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy,
Chulalongkorn University. Prior to this, he was the Director of its MBA Program and Head of its Department
of Commerce. He is also on the Boards of the Bangkok Expressway Public Company and M.K. Restaurant
Company Thailand. His recent publications include “Implementation of Quantitative Management Techniques
and Organization Performance” published in the Journal of Global Business Issues. Assoc. Prof. Tanlamai has
also provided academic services as a lecturer and trainer for various state enterprises and private companies.
Dean of the College of Religious Studies Assoc. Prof. Wathinee Boonchalaksi has been
appointed as Dean of The College of Religious Studies, the latest development in a long and distinguished
career at Mahidol University. Assoc. Prof. Boonchalaksi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from Slipakorn
University, Thailand which she was awarded after receiving a King Bhumibol Adulyadej Fellowship. She also holds a
Master’s in Demography from Mahidol University, a Certificate on Population Studies from the International Institute
for Population Studies, Mumbai, India and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Demography from Mahidol University.
From 1976-2012, Assoc. Prof. Boonchalaksi was a lecturer at Mahidol University’s Institute for Population and
Social Research, where she was also responsible for several research programs, including those focusing on
aging populations; (one of her areas of expertise.) Her other research interests include population and social
research, population and health belief, religions and culture.
• 9

Mahidol Students Win
Microsoft Imagine Cup
2012 in Australia
Four students from the Faculty of ICT, Mr. Chanakarn
Chinchatchawal, Mr. Panawut Poungsin, Mr. Krittinun
Sirodom and Mr. Sirisak Nakaviwat, along with their project
supervisor - Dr. Srisupa Palakvangsa Na Ayudhya, Mahidol
University - also known as the TANG THAI team have received
1 st place in the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2012 in Game Design
(Xbox/Windows).
The completion, which was held in Sydney, Australia,
in July 2012, brought together teams selected from 400
applicants worldwide. The TANG THAI’s project entitled
“Verdant Fantasy” is a real-time strategy game developed to
help build awareness of deforestation and forest preservation.
As such, players follow the concept of the 3Ps - Protect,
Plant and Plan in order to complete their missions. The game
was referred to as an interesting approach in the use of
technology in tackling some of today’s most important issues.
This remarkable achievement by the students comes just
one-year after the Jub Jub team, (also from the Faculty of ICT,
Mahidol University) were 1 st runner-up in the same category
for their Junk Master game.
Microsoft’s Imagine Cup is the world’s leading student
technology competition, bringing together innovative and
creative teams from across the globe.
For more information, please visit http://www.imaginecup.com/
From 25 th to 28 th July 2012, Mr. Nutthaporn Thammathi
(pictured) a recent graduate of the College of Music,
Mahidol University, competed against 80 other candidates
in Salzburg, Austria to receive 1 st Prize in the international
Grandi Voci 2012 Voice Competition. The competition, which was
established in 2010, is open to top singers from across the
globe and organized by Oper im Berg Festival which in turn
was founded by Ingo Kolonerics.
One of the main goals of the competition is to audition
singers for leading roles in the company’s annual opera
College of Music
Graduate Wins Grandi
Voci 2012 Voice
Competition
productions, which include La Bohème, La Traviata and
Rigoletto. Since his win, Mr. Thammathi, also known by his
nickname Aof, has received invitations to perform at various
European concerts including open-air opera and gala
performances to audiences of up to 2,000 people. Mr.
Thammathi completed his undergraduate program in Vocal
Performance at the College of Music in 2011, where he was
taught by Nancy Tsui-Ping Wei, Chair of Voice Department.
Thanks to an ASEA-UNINET Thai-Austrian Exchange Program
scholarship, Mr. Thammathi was able to continue his studies
at the University of Mozarteum, Salzburg under the tuition
of Prof. Mario Antonio Diaz Varas. His next professional
engagement will be a production of Puccini’s - La Bohème,
scheduled for June 2013.
10 • September - December 2012, Vol. 19, No. 3

Asian Physical Therapy Research Symposium
F
th
rom 6 to 7 th September 2012, The
Asian Physical Therapy Research
Symposium (APTRS), hosted by Mahidol
University’s Faculty of Physical Therapy
provided an opportunity for academics and
physiotherapists from around the region
and beyond to share new knowledge
and discuss new areas of collaboration
in this important field. The conference,
which was held in the Srisuriwongse
Ballroom of the Tawana, Bangkok,
included a special guest lecture entitled
“Challenges to Translating Neurorehabilitation
Research into Practice: A
On 7 th September 2012, Mr. Worawit
Israngkul, Dean of the Faculty of
Engineering, Mahidol University welcomed
Prof. Kimberley N. Irvine, Director, Center
for Southeast Asia Environment and
Sustainable Development, State University
of New York College at Buffalo, US, on
the occasion of an MoU signing between
the two institutions. This document outlines
both institutions’ intention to strengthen
on-going and future academic research
collaboration between the International
Graduate Program in Environmental and
Water Resources Engineering at the
Faculty of Engineering and the Center
The Ministry of Science and Technology
Professionals of Thailand hosted a
MoU Signing Ceremony between the
Council of Science and Technology
Professionals and Mahidol University’s
Faculty of Public Health and Faculty of
Tropical Medicine. The agreement aims
to promote innovation & development
within the Council, specifically in terms
of promoting Health Education and
coordinating research efforts to further
enhance health standards through quality
Perspective from One Clinical Scientist”
from Prof. Dr. Carolee J. Winstein from
the University of Southern California. The
event also included a panel discussion
entitled “Asian PT Education” and “PT
and Health Care System in Asia” with
the heads of some of the most prestigious
institutions of physical therapy in Asia
as panel members. The feedback from
participants on this event, the first of its
kind in the region, was extremely favorable
and the Faculty would like to thank all
those involved, who helped make this
event such a success.
The Faculty of Engineering and
State University of New York
College at Buffalo, US
for Southeast Asia Environment and
Sustainable Development.
assurance, public health management and
outbreak control-especially in terms of
migrant and tourist health - in the region.
Top executives attending the ceremony,
which took place in late July, included
Assoc. Prof. Phitaya Charupoonphol, Dean
of the Faculty of Public Health (pictured
centre-left), Assoc. Prof. Pratap
Singhasivan at the time, Dean, Faculty
of Tropical Medicine (pictured centre-right),
and Assoc. Prof. Weerapong Pairsuwan,
To learn more about activities and
research at the Faculty of Physical
Therapy, please visit http://www.
pt.mahidol.ac.th/en
The agreement is an initiative
of Visiting Prof. Dr. Ranjna Jindal,
Program Director, International
Graduate Program in Environmental and
Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of
Engineering (pictured 4 th from right).
To learn more about Mahidol University’s
international program in Environmental and
Water Resources Engineering, please
visit http://www.eg.mahidol.ac.th/dept/
egen/index.html
Faculties of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
and Council of Science and Technology
Professionals of Thailand
Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry
of Science and Technology, Thailand
(pictured centre).
• 11

Distinguished Visitors to Mahidol University
• 06-11-2012 Prof. Rajata Rajatanavin, President, welcomed Prof. Nigel Weatherill, Vice Chancellor of
1
Liverpool John Moores University, UK and Mr. Jeffery Soong its Regional Director, South-East Asia.
During the meeting held at the Office of the President, the delegates discussed the idea of creating a
Double Degree in the field of Sports Science. (Picture 1)
• 30-10-2012 Her Excellency Ms. Kristie A. Kenney, US Ambassador to Thailand visited Mahidol
University to deliver a talk on the U.S. Elections 2012. During her address, which was held on the 3 rd
Floor, (MUIC) Auditorium, H.E. Ms. Kenney outlined the candidates for President and Vice President.
She then gave students a greater insight into the US electoral process and the main concerns of its electorate, such as the Economy
and Health Care. H.E. then invited questions from the audience and was able to address a wide-range of subjects including the possible
impacts of the super storm Sandy on the election. (Pictures 2-5)
The US Embassy in Bangkok is one of the largest in the world and aims to promote the interests of the US and to serve its citizens
within Thailand. For more information, please visit http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/
2 13 4 5
6
7
8
• 19-10-2012 His Excellency, Mr. Lyonpo Zangley Dukpa, Minister of Health for the Kingdom of Bhutan,
visited Mahidol University as part of a one-day visit to Thai Universities to discuss the establishment of a
University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan. H.E. Mr. Dukpa discussed assistance in developing expertise
in traditional medicine, long-term medical training for doctors, the training of pre-clinical students, and
reviewing the medical curriculum. Mahidol University representatives, led by Prof. Rajata Rajatanavin,
agreed that Mahidol University was able to offer considerable support, and further discussions between
Bhutanese representatives, the faculties and the administrators concerned are now planned. (Picture 6)
• 03-10-12 Mahidol University and its International Relations Division welcomed Ms. Anna Sadecka,
Head of Section for EU Educational Programmes, International Relations Office, University of Warsaw,
Poland and Mr. Henrik Hofvendahl, Programme Officer, Asia, Strategic Partnerships and Networks,
Division of External Relations, Lund University, Sweden. The delegates were visiting Mahidol University
to promote this year’s Erasmus Mundus Europe Asia (EMEA) programme of the European Union and
the scholarships available under it. Following a meeting with international relations staff and a campus
tour, the delegation gave a presentation on the opportunities available under the program, and
conducted a question and answer session. (Picture 7)
• 09-10-12 Dr. Sandro Calvani, Head of Human Resource Office at the Asian Institute of Technology,
Rangsit, Thailand gave a guest lecture entitled “An Executive Summary of HRM of Expats in Thailand”.
Dr. Calvani was welcomed by Prof. Suwanna Ruangkanchanasetr, Vice President and Asst. Prof.
Surakit Nathisuwan, Vice President for International Relations, who joined representatives of several
divisions from the Office of the President for the presentation which dealt with the idea of “Educational
Professionals Beyond Borders” and the risks and opportunities created by expat-friendly human
resource policies.
• 31-08-2012 Delegates from the Hanoi School of Public Health in Vietnam visited the Faculty of Public Health for discussions
regarding potential joint research projects and collaborations in student exchange. The delegates also took the opportunity to visit the
Faculty’s Department of Health Education and Behavioural Science and its Department of Occupational Health and Safety. (Picture 8)
Published by International Relations Division, Office of the President, Mahidol University
999 Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Phuttamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2849 6230 (Director), +66 (0) 2849 6231-3, 2849 6235-6 Fax: +66 (0) 2849 6237 Email: opinter@mahidol.ac.th
272 Rama VI Rd., Rathathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand (Bangkok Office) Website: www.mahidol.ac.th
Advisor: Asst. Prof. Surakit Nathisuwan, Dr. Puwat Charukamnoetkanok
Chief Editor: Ms. Boonyarat Suwanchinda
Editorial Staff: Mr. Paul Bulcock, Ms. Suchada Phruthonkul, Ms. Peungjai Tinsulanonda