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Walailak University (WU), through its School of Public Health, in collaboration with the School of Public Health at Kunming Medical University (KMU), China, is continuing its mobility program aimed at enhancing students’ professional competencies, workplace readiness, cross-cultural understanding, and language proficiency.

Today, WU officially welcomed a team of professors and students from KMU - 11 in total - for a two-week program taking place from 20 July to 2 August 2025. The welcoming event was held at Honor Hall, Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an Building.

Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of WU, said that Walailak University places great emphasis on developing students' competencies to prepare them for success at the international level. He added that the university also offers scholarships for interested students to pursue graduate studies at WU. Currently, WU has approximately 14,000 students - a number that continues to grow despite Thailand’s shift towards an ageing society, reflecting the university’s increasing appeal.

Throughout the program, students will participate in a variety of activities at WU, WU Hospital, the university’s Blue Crab Bank site, and in Khanom District. The program includes academic lectures, laboratory practice, community visits, and cultural exchange activities such as Thai cooking classes and traditional dance.

Assistant Professor Dr. Prasert Makkaew, Deputy Dean of the WU School of Public Health, noted that this is the second round of the mobility program between the two institutions. The program features a wide range of activities, including lectures, field visits, laboratory sessions, and cultural exchange experiences. “It’s not only about academic activities but also about learning cultures and traditions,” he said.

Deputy Dean Prasert also shared that the two schools are currently collaborating on a research project related to environmental exposure and maternal and child health. The project takes the form of an epidemiological study, following participants from pregnancy through childbirth to monitor child development outcomes.

Earlier in 2023, a WU delegation led by the President visited KMU to attend the university’s 90^th anniversary celebration and participate in the 2^nd President/Dean's Forum of the South and Southeast Asia Medical Education and Health Service Alliance. In 2024, 10 students from the WU School of Public Health joined a two-week exchange program at KMU. Furthermore, the two institutions has signed a Memorandum of Agreement to strengthen collaboration in student exchange, faculty and staff mobility, short-term courses, and joint research initiatives.









News by Settaboot Onphakdee, Division of Corporate Communication