18 January 2023, Prof. Banchong Mahaisavariya, M.D., President of Mahidol University presided over the opening ceremony, press conference and signing ceremony (MoU) in the launch of the “Thailand Medical Innovation Center” (TMIC) at the Faculty of Engineering.

Associate Professor Dr. Jackrit Suthakorn, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, signed the MOU in meeting room 6450 at the Faculty with Medtronic (Thailand) Co., Ltd. led by Mr. Paul Verhulst, Vice President, Mainland Southeast Asia and Ms. Suchada Thanavibulset, Country Director for Medtronic (Thailand).

This cooperative venture has the common goal for both parties to be strategic partners in the development of the Thailand Medical Innovation Center. This is a model project to drive development and upgrade medical innovation for Biomedical Engineering in Thailand to be internationally recognized. It will increase the potential for knowledge transfer in Biomedical Engineering and modern medical technology to those who are interested in both domestically and internationally. Innovations that are effective and answer to current health problems are to be developed. This includes joint development of medical personnel, both Biomedical Engineering and medical students at the Thailand Medical Innovation center. They will have knowledge and competency at the international level. The Center, located at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Salaya, is to be a hub for innovators designing, researching and developing medical devices. It will also develop knowledge technology transfer and provide training for medical personnel and Biomedical Engineers in Thailand and the ASEAN region. The forms of cooperation are as follows:

1. R&D Prototype Development: jointly promote research, develop and extend prototypes into health innovations; develop technology or products for further manufacturing and distribution at the industrial level;

2. Training & Education: jointly develop a curriculum for teaching about high-level medical devices as a training center for medical personnel;

3. Clinical Research: is a center for conducting clinical trials according to international standards in collaboration with other health partner organizations in Southeast Asia. Develop a comprehensive learning center for new medical innovations in Thailand and the region.

In addition, at the event there was a discussion concerning the background and familiarity with the Thailand Medical Innovation Center or TMIC on the topic “TMIC MOU”.

Speakers were,

1) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jackrit Suthakorn, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University.

2) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Director of Institution for Technology and Innovation Management, Mahidol University.

3) Dr. Pracha Yambangyang, Head of Biomedical Instrumentation Laboratory, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mahidol University

4) Mr. Natthaphon Tongkhamchu, Senior Manager, Government Affairs and Market Access, Thailand.

5) Mr. Sudasorn Fusiri, Training and Education Leader, Medical Surgical Therapy, Thailand.

6) Mr. Krittakorn Piamsuwan, Senior Supervisor, Service and Repair, Asia Pacific Service & Repair Operation.

7) Mr. Panchima Jirasothikul, Marketing Manager, Respiratory Intervention and Diabetes, Thailand.

The discussion was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanapat Wanichanon, Vice Dean for Human Capital Management and Corporate Communications, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University.

A video of the event can be viewed at https://fb.watch/i7bRtbPPqZ/

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