WVU School of Pharmacy partners with Mahidol University Faculty of Pharmacy to provide educational experiences
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Beginning in January 2016, faculty and students of the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy will gain a new global opportunity for education and collaboration.
The WVU School of Pharmacy is part of the U.S.-Thai Consortium for the Development of Pharmacy Education in Thailand — an organization founded with the mission of enhancing pharmacy education, research and clinical programs in schools of pharmacy in Thailand. Only 18 U.S. schools of pharmacy are members of the Consortium.
Through membership in the Consortium, the WVU School of Pharmacy signed a five-year agreement with the Mahidol University Faculty of Pharmacy in Thailand. The agreement establishes an affiliation between the two institutions to encourage educational and scientific collaboration and cooperation.
“Our partnership with the Mahidol University Faculty of Pharmacy is a great way to provide global experiences and education for our faculty and students,” Douglas Slain, Pharm.D., associate professor and global affairs liaison for the WVU School of Pharmacy, said.
On January 11, two faculty members from the Mahidol University Faculty of Pharmacy began a two-month observation course focusing on infectious diseases treatment and antibiotic stewardship — the appropriate use of antimicrobials and antibiotics in order to reduce resistance to these medications and improve patient health. They will observe WVU School of Pharmacy faculty during class activities, research projects, lectures, discussions and other academic pursuits. The purpose of these observational activities is to provide the visiting faculty members with ideas and information they can take back to their school to enhance their curriculum, class teaching methods or seek connections and collaborations on current or future research opportunities.
“Faculty members from both institutions will gain valuable knowledge through information sharing and potential project and scientific collaborations,” Slain said. “By opening these lines of communication and educational pathways, we are opening doors to the advancement of the profession of pharmacy, pharmacy practice and pharmacy research on a global level.”
At this time, only faculty are visiting each partner institution. However, plans are being made for WVU pharmacy students to complete academic rotations in Thailand. The WVU School of Pharmacy currently offers three global health rotations in Brazil, Oman and South Africa.
Photo identification:
(l-r) WVU School of Pharmacy faculty Dr. Douglas Slain and Dr. Yon Rojanasakul; Suwida Tangtrakultham and Jantana Houngsaitong of the Mahidol University Faculty of Pharmacy; and Dr. Terry Schwinghammer and Dr. Mary Stamatakis of the WVU School of Pharmacy
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