St Petersburg University strengthens relations with Thailand
A delegation from Walailak University (Thailand) has visited St Petersburg University. The parties discussed potential areas for joint work and opportunities for academic mobility.
In the opening speech, Deputy Rector for International Affairs Sergey Andryushin emphasized that SPbU has been cooperating with universities of Thailand for many years, and expressed hope for productive work with the new partner university.
Today we are actively developing relations with foreign colleagues, especially with our Asian partners. This year we will establish a branch of St Petersburg University in Uzbekistan and a joint campus in China, next year we plan to open a representative office in Cairo (Egypt).
Deputy Rector for International Affairs Sergey Andryushin
‘SPbU and Walailak University have much in common. In particular, medicine is an area of common scientific interest to our professors and students, who will be able to study diseases specific to this region. I hope that our partnership will be long termed and productive’, said Sergey Andryushin.
Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, Professor from Thailand, spoke about relevant areas of scientific research in Walailak University. According to the Professor, medical research and environmental protection have been actively developing in Walailak University. Walailak University has opened a university teaching hospital at the School of Medicine, which became a place for internships of medical students. ‘Our hospital consists of 750 inpatient units that provide high-level medical care. Students, under the guidance of experienced doctors, undergo practical training practice at their educational institution. In this way, we train specialists who have both theoretical and practical knowledge’, shared Professor.
Sergey Andryushin also noted the importance of development of students’ practical skills. He presented to the delegation of Thailand the Clinical Practice project, which includes 14 fields of study.
Clinic-based practical training is a form of acquiring of professional skills by students during the learning process. The project of St Petersburg University includes various types of training activities: clinical, project, field, research activities, etc.
At the end of the meeting, participants discussed possibility of concluding a cooperation agreement between universities. Further negotiations are planned to be held in the format of a videoconference.