UNE strengthens ties with Naresuan University

November 29, 2007

A four-year collaboration between the University of New England and Naresuan University in Thailand in health and medical education and research has resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between these two rural-based universities.

The ceremony was held at Naresuan University on Tuesday 27 November. It involved high-level officials from both universities, including the two Vice-Chancellors and Presidents, Professor Alan Pettigrew and Dr Mondhon Sanguansermsri.

A significant project to emerge from this collaboration is the establishment of the National Centre of Expertise on Hospital and Health Service Management. UNE is a key partner in this project, which is recognised by the World Health Organisation.

David Briggs, a Senior Lecturer in UNE's School of Health, has been working with a large team of health researchers from both Australia and Thailand – and Thai students in the Doctor of Health Service Management program at UNE – on projects associated with rural medical education and health service delivery models. The establishment of the WHO Centre in Thailand offers a further opportunity to increase the number of programs related to workforce training in health service management in Asia.

In welcoming the UNE delegates, President Mondhon Sanguansermsri from Naresuan University noted that both universities were "widely recognised for their mission and expertise in improving the quality of life and health services for people living in rural communities". "This agreement will further promote and support a number of teaching and scholarship activities that will make a difference in improving health care delivery," he said.

President Sanguansermsri has provided scholarships for senior staff of his university to undertake the Doctoral program in Health Service Management at UNE. These include Dr Prawit Taytiwat, who takes up his appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Public Health at Naresuan University in early 2008.

The Vice-Chancellor of UNE, Professor Alan Pettigrew, in responding to President Sanguansermsri, said that the long-standing relationship between UNE and Naresuan University was "a strong reflection of both universities' commitment to address rural issues and workforce training through collaboration".

"The most significant advances in the future will come from international collaborations such as these, where the partners have an opportunity to learn from shared experiences in their respective countries," Professor Pettigrew said. "I have been very impressed with the quality of the facilities at Naresuan University and the opportunity we have to broaden our relationship in a range of academic areas that are strengths at both institutions."

Discussions were held about the exchange of medical students from UNE and Naresuan University that would enrich both their medical education and their cultural awareness. The UNE delegates also learnt about the delivery of rural dental education in Thailand – a subject of great interest to Australia given the shortage of dentists working in rural dental practices.

Posted by Leon Braun at November 29, 2007 05:49 PM