On January 20 – 21, 2025, Mahidol University, led by Prof. Piyamitr Sritara, MD, FRCP, President of Mahidol University, along with Assoc. Prof. Nopraenue Sajjarax Dhirathiti, Ph.D., Vice President for Global Partnerships and University Council, Assoc. Prof. Sarawut Thepanondh, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Assoc. Prof. Walasinee Sakcamduang, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Assoc. Prof. Punchada Sirivunnabood, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Asst. Prof. Aphiwit Liang-itsara, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Assoc. Prof. Yingyot Chiaravutthi, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Mahidol University International College, Dr. Rapee Boonplueang, Deputy Dean for Corporate Communication and International Relations, Faculty of Science, Dr. Phimphan Pisutsan, M.D., Assistant Dean for International Relations, and the faculties from the Faculty of Liberal Arts, altogether paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Mr. Paitoon Mahapannaporn, Ambassador of Thailand to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, to discuss potential collaborations in medicine, education, and research with higher education institutions in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives.
Following this, the Mahidol University delegation also explored potential collaborations in academic, research, and the exchange of students and staff with the University of Colombo and the University of Kelaniya in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
During the meeting, Mahidol University and the University of Colombo highlighted the collaboration on the establishment of research collaboration in various fields, including the development of herbal extractions as alternatives to modern medicine, palliative care nursing, Thai traditional medicine, as well as Ayurvedic medicine, drug development, conservation biology, coastal conservation, human-animal conflicts, Asian studies, and sustainable tourism. In addition, the discussions aimed to connect interdisciplinary researchers in the areas of earth science, serpentine geology, and plant physiology.
Regarding academic collaboration, Mahidol University and the University of Colombo also explored the establishment of a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program. In terms of exchange activities, the discussions encompassed student and faculty exchange programs, both short-term and long-term, with a particular focus on business administration, as well as the invitation of visiting scholars.
Additionally, during the visit to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya (Ragama), the discussions focused on research collaboration in the fields of tropical diseases, family medicine, biological control, indigenous people and migration, and health economics, as well as the implementation of Capacity Building programs. Lastly, the executive team also visited the Colombo North Teaching Hospital (Ragama), which serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Kelaniya.
