The Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences joins an international consortium in China to strengthen regional academic networks, student exchanges, and joint research on healthcare for an ageing population.

On 15 and 16 September 2026, a delegation from the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University (KKU), attended the “China–ASEAN Digital and Intelligent Healthcare, Elderly Care, and Nursing Industry–Education Integration Consortium” meeting at Guangxi Health Science College in Nanning, People’s Republic of China. It was led by Assistant Professor Attawut Chaiboonruang, PhD, Assistant Dean for International Affairs and Digital Infrastructure, and Professor Wichai Eungpinichpong, PhD, Senior Researcher in the Department of Physical Therapy. The meeting sought to deepen international academic collaboration and widen regional networks in digital healthcare and elderly care among educational institutions across China and ASEAN member states.

The consortium brought together 63 member institutions from five countries: China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, and Thailand. At the event, the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, KKU, was formally endorsed as a Council Unit of the International Exchange and Cooperation Working Committee, a significant milestone that broadens the University’s health sciences network and raises its international academic profile.

At the Forum on Academic Exchange for the High-Quality Development of the Health Industry, Professor Wichai delivered a keynote address entitled “Evidence-Based Manual Therapy and Modern Modalities in Elderly Care: Thailand’s Model for the Big-Health Industry”, presenting Thai manual therapy approaches to geriatric care, grounded in research evidence, to an audience of international experts. He also delivered a special lecture to students and academic staff in the Exercise Guidance programme, School of General Education, entitled “Integrating Manual Therapy and Exercise Rehabilitation for Musculoskeletal Pain Management”. Assistant Professor Attawut gave a lecture entitled “Laboratory Biomarkers in Exercise and Health Assessment: From Health Screening to Personalized Exercise Guidance”.

Alongside the academic sessions, the KKU delegation held bilateral talks with executives and academic staff of Guangxi Health Science College, led by Mr Li Rilun, Director of the International Office, and Ms Li Bihua, Dean of the College of General Education. The two sides discussed concrete frameworks for joint initiatives in education, research, and workforce development. Key areas of discussion included:

• Student Exchanges and Curriculum Collaboration: Developing joint initiatives within the Movement Science and Human Performance programme.
• Collaborative Research: Focusing on geriatric care and exercise medicine, with the aim of publishing high-impact work in international journals.
• Faculty Capacity Building: Expanding opportunities for advanced postgraduate education and professional development.
• Institutional Framework: Drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise future joint activities.

Assistant Professor Attawut said that the visit was designed to produce actionable outcomes of direct benefit to students and staff. “Our objective extends beyond establishing institutional ties; we aim to foster practical, ongoing collaboration. Following this meeting, we look forward to implementing concrete initiatives—including student exchanges, joint research, curriculum co-development, and staff development—ensuring our partnership translates into tangible academic achievements.”

Professor Wichai added that digital healthcare and geriatric care are increasingly critical issues, particularly as ASEAN and China undergo demographic shifts towards an ageing society. “Exchanging institutional knowledge across borders allows us to develop innovative approaches to education, research, and healthcare delivery that address future societal needs. Guangxi Health Science College shares our commitment to building integrated networks in teaching, research, and staff development, particularly through the application of digital technology to elderly care.”

The partnership between the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, and Guangxi Health Science College reflects a common dedication to advancing health sciences education and research across ASEAN and China. By expanding knowledge networks and strengthening human resource capabilities, both institutions continue to support the development of regional healthcare systems to meet the demands of an ageing population.