Banda Aceh, July 25, 2024 – The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) proudly welcomed distinguished academics from Thailand for the “TB/MDR-TB Research Training and Capacity Strengthening for LMIC in Southeast Asia Phase II: Promotion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Project Visit.” This event is a collaboration between FMIPA USK’s Department of Statistics, Prince of Songkla University, and Mahidol University.
The delegation from Thailand included Prof. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong from Prince of Songkla University, Prof. Prasit Palittapongarnpim from Mahidol University, Asst. Prof. Dr. Arinda Ma-A-Lee from Prince of Songkla University, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Nurin Dureh from Prince of Songkla University. They were warmly welcomed by the Dean of FMIPA USK, Prof. Dr. Taufik Fuadi Abidin, S.Si, M.Tech, and the Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Alumni, and Partnerships at FMIPA-USK, in a reception held in the FMIPA dean’s office.
During the two-day visit, the experts from Thailand engaged in in-depth discussions on the development of health research, particularly Tuberculosis (TB) and Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB), within the context of Data Science and Bioinformatics. These discussions aimed to explore the latest methods and techniques in health research and identify collaboration opportunities between institutions.
In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Taufik Fuadi Abidin stated, “We are very pleased to receive this visit. Collaboration with academics from Thailand will not only enrich our knowledge but also open up opportunities for joint research that can provide tangible benefits to society.”
The academics from Thailand also had the opportunity to visit several study programs within FMIPA USK. This visit aimed to introduce the research infrastructure and facilities available at FMIPA USK and discuss future opportunities for more intensive academic and research collaboration. They also interacted with students and faculty, sharing valuable experiences and insights in health research.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Arinda Ma-A-Lee expressed, “This visit has given us new insights into the potential for research collaboration with USK. We see many opportunities to develop joint projects to enhance research capacity at both universities.”
The significant increase in TB cases in Southeast Asia recently underscores the need for anticipatory research and mitigation models. Discussions during this visit highlighted the urgency of developing new strategies to combat TB and MDR-TB through multidisciplinary approaches, including data analysis and bioinformatics. The experts agreed that collaborative and innovative efforts are necessary to address these challenges effectively.
This visit is expected to foster closer international collaboration between USK and universities in Thailand. Such collaborations will not only improve the quality of research but also strengthen academic networks and expand the scope of research conducted.
This initiative is anticipated to make a substantial contribution to enhancing research outcomes in the health sector, particularly in addressing TB and MDR-TB. With the spirit of cooperation and international collaboration, FMIPA USK continues to strive to become a center of excellence in research and education in Southeast Asia.
