On February 11^th, 2022, Walailak University and Sichon Hospital agreed to coordinate an international medical residency project through a formal 5-year memorandum of understanding (MOU). The MOU signing ceremony, organized bythe Center for International Affairs (CIA), was presided over by Walailak President Sombat Thamrongthanyawong and Sichon Director Arak Wongvorachat, witnessed by Sichon Hospital executives (Dr. Ekarat Janwanpen, Deputy Director of Sichon Hospital, Ms. Narumon Kanklod, Administrative Officer of the hospital) and Walailak University faculty members (Vice President Charun Boonyakan, Vice President Surin Maisrikrod, CIA Acting Director Patnarin Supakorn, Walailak University Hospital Acting Director Udomsak Saengow, School of Public Health Dean Warit Jawjit, Associate Professor Dr. Chuchat Phansawat, and other distinguished faculty members from WU health sciences schools.  

The primary objective of the collaborated project is to develop quality medical trainings for international residents from around the world who will get great opportunities to exchange medical knowledge with medical faculty members at Walailak University and to get involved with medical trainings of their specialties at Sichon Hospital.  The agreed scope of cooperation is as follows:

1. To provide support for graduate production and intern and exchange students from WU and from WU’s overseas partner universities

2. To develop medical and health care personnel through research and academic service collaboration

3. To provide training courses, jointly organize academic conferences and seminars that are beneficial to the society

4. To support each other’s teaching and learning activities, use of resources and facilities as well as organize other mutually agreed activities

The first batch of international medical students from Ohio State University, USA, visited Sichon Hospital in 2015 by the initial coordination of Asst. Prof. Dr.Teerapan Songnui, M.D.,  a professor of School of Medicine at that time. Since then, the medical residency programs have been carried out continuously after this first international residents’ successful visit. Later many international medical students joining the same program were from University of Angers, University of Western Brittany, France and University of Vienna, Austria. This tri-sector partnership between the academic institute of Walailak University, the professional healthcare institute of Sichon Hospital and international medical residents from around the world evidences quality medical education that will promote good health and well-beings for the world.