A visit to SCi-KKU by University of Puthisastra, the leading private Cambodian university

22 November 2023

Representatives of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Puthisastra (UP), a university from Phnom Penh, paid a visit to the Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, to start a collaboration with the SCi Faculty in different areas including student and staff exchange as well as joint lectures and classes.

The partnership of UP and KKU goes way back with exchanges between the medical sciences faculties of the two universities. In 2016, the university-level MoU between the two education partners were signed and because of the continued activities together the MoU was renewed in 2021 and is effective until 2026.

Officially welcomed by the science dean, Asst. Prof. Dr. Angkana Boonyued, the UP team and their KKU counterpart had a fruitful discussion on exchanges in the fields of biology, microbiology, biochemistry, environmental science, and chemistry. The three-strong team from UP comprises Mr. Be Sokkeang, Program Manager of Science Research, Mr. Say Sinith, Program Manager of Medical Laboratory, and Mr. Toem Lanyra, Laboratory Operation Officer. Representing the KKU side in the discussion are Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wilailak Siripornadulsil, Head of the Department of Microbiology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adcharaporn Pagdee, Head of the Department of Environmental Science, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Worasitikulya Taratima, lecturer from the Department of Biology, Asst. Prof. Dr. Jindarat Ekprasert, lecturer from the Biological Sciences and Bioinnovation for Sustainability Programme, and Dr. Sukhum Ruangchai, Assistant to the Dean in International Affairs and Public Communications.

Of great potential for cooperation is academic exchange between the Science Research Programme and several study programmes of SCi-KKU. The Science Research Programme is composed of five specialised tracks of forensics, bioscience, chemistry, food quality, and environment and sustainability. These specialised disciplines are all offered as study programmes at SCi-KKU, an indication of great compatibility between the two sides.

After the morning discussion, in the afternoon the team was given a tour of laboratory facilities of SCi-KKU by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rodjana Burakham, Associate Dean for Research. Scientific instruments at the Faculty of Science range from electron microscopes like FIB-SEM, E-SEM and TEM, and spectroscopes including XRD, AS, and FTIR, to chromatographs like HPLC, GC and GPC, and sample preparation instruments which include a freeze dryer and an ultracentrifuge. The delegation also visited the Microbiological Analysis Laboratory, which offers services in microbiological quality assessment in for instance food and water samples.