Internationalization Strategy of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences
related to Elderly care and Community-based healthcare
The National 20-Year Strategic Plan, specifically in the context of public health. It emphasizes the need to align the healthcare system with the rapidly changing economic, social, and environmental conditions, as per the government’s policy. The goal is to ensure that the public can access high-quality, efficient, and equitable healthcare services, leading to good health for the population, a satisfied healthcare workforce, and a sustainable healthcare system. This involves connecting with other national policies and strategies to achieve these objectives.
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at Burapha University and its involvement in various projects related to elderly care and community-based healthcare. Here’s a summary of the key points: Vision: The faculty’s vision is to be a leading institution in Thailand for producing healthcare professionals with expertise in wellness. Community-Based Elderly Care: The faculty has been part of the “Community-Based Elderly Care Project in Chonburi Province,” with Saensuk Municipality serving as the pilot area. This project took place during the period from 2016 to 2018 and aimed to provide better care and improve the quality of life for elderly individuals in the Saensuk Municipality area. Continuation: There is a second phase of the project, known as the “Community-Based Elderly Care by Multi-disciplinary Profession,” which has been ongoing from 2019 to 2023. This phase focuses on preparing the community to support its elderly population sustainably. It includes the development of shared knowledge and collaboration among various stakeholders, including Burapha University, Saku University, Saensuk Municipality, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). These initiatives demonstrate the faculty’s commitment to improving the well-being of elderly individuals in the community by leveraging multidisciplinary approaches and international partnerships.
The activities and collaborations that took place under the mentioned project with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) during July 11-21, 2023. Here’s a summary: Knowledge Exchange and Planning: The Department of Physical Therapy was actively involved in this project. They engaged in knowledge exchange and collaborative planning sessions with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. The main focus was on providing comprehensive care for the elderly by visiting their homes. Community Engagement: The team from the Department of Physical Therapy actively participated in community-based activities, aimed to enhance the quality of care and support provided to elderly individuals in the community including home visits to the elderly population. Cultural Exchange: The exchange program also included cultural learning experiences. This allowed participants to gain insights into the local culture and traditions, fostering a deeper understanding of the community they were working with. International Collaboration: Notably, Dr. Lee Chee Keng, a Senior Lecturer from the National University of Singapore (NUS), was part of the project. His involvement included observing and participating in home visits to the elderly in the Saensuk Municipality area. This international collaboration facilitated the exchange of ideas and future plans for community development. Social Enterprise: The passage mentions a focus on promoting social enterprises. This could mean that the project aimed to empower the community to develop sustainable initiatives that benefit both the elderly population and the local economy. Overall, this project appears to be a comprehensive and multidisciplinary effort to improve elderly care, promote cultural understanding, and encourage social enterprise development within the Saensuk Municipality community in Thailand, with the collaboration and support of JICA and international partners.
August 17, 2023 – Esteemed professionals and experts from countries overseas recently came together for a transformative online seminar under the theme “Innovation for Community-Dwelling Patients/Elderly in Thailand.” This seminar, hosted by the Physical Therapy Programme at Burapha University on August 17, 2023, served as an exceptional platform for the exchange of groundbreaking ideas in elderly care, featuring performances by 4th-year physical therapy students. Distinguished participants included Prof. Shannon Dermer, Dean of the College of Education, Assoc. Prof. Caren Schranz DrOT, MS, OTR/L, Program Director, and Dr. David Diers from Governors State University (GSU), Chicago, USA, as well as Prof. (FH) Reinhard Beikircher, Programme Director of Physiotherapy at IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences, Austria. Notably, 4th-year physical therapy students and physical therapy instructors from Burapha University also actively contributed to the seminar’s success.This dynamic seminar unfolded online, leveraging the power of Zoom Meeting to transcend geographical boundaries and foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. The event’s resounding success can be attributed to the active engagement and expertise of our distinguished guests, who enriched discussions and significantly contributed to the seminar’s impact.
Project Leader: Assistant Professor Nongnuch Luangpon, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences