On Thursday 25, March, 2021, Associate Professor Dr.Yajai Sitthimongkol, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, gave a welcoming remark and spoke about objectives of the establishment of The MU-JHU NCD Research Collaborative Center which has been formed by three main collaborative partners including Faculty of Nursing and Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, and Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing. On this occasion, Professor Banchong Mahaisavariya, M.D., President of Mahidol University, presided over the opening ceremony of the center. Along with the President and the Dean, there were Associate Professor Dr. Nopraenue Sajjarax Dhirathiti, Mahidol University’s Vice President for International Relations and Corporate Communication, Professor Dr. Prasit Watanapa, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, and Lecturer Dr. Thitipong Tankumpuan, Director of the MU-JHU NCD Research Collaborative Center, joining as distinguished guests from Mahidol University. On the other side, Professor DR. Patricia M. Davidson, Dean of Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing, along with Professor Cheryl R. Dennison Himmelfarb, Dr. Nancy Reynolds, Professor Marie T. Nolan, and Sharon P. Trivino, joined the opening ceremony as distinguished guests from Johns Hopkins University. The ceremony was organized at Petcharat meeting room, Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Bangkok Noi, and live broadcasted via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Associate Professor Dr.Yajai Sitthimongkol, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, mentioned the importance of establishing this research center since NCDs are considered as one of the world's leading health problems. The burden of NCDs does not negatively affect only patients, but also affects caregivers, patients’ families, and the economy in the long run as well. Faculty of Nursing Mahidol University becomes a part of the establishment of the research center because nursing profession takes the leading role in handling the challenges of NCDs, particularly in the aspects of health promotion and disease prevention. The Faculty of Nursing would like to express gratitude to Mahidol University for tremendous supports they have provided and made the center as a platform to share knowledge and discuss recent advancements in the field of NCD care with the experts across the nations through high-quality short course training to strengthen capacity for NCD care and research to Thai nurses.
Professor Banchong Mahaisavariya, M.D., President of Mahidol University, said that, in past years, COVID-19 pandemic has brought public attention to the risks of contagious diseases, so Mahidol University and relevant health care organization must come together to improve people’s health, safety and quality of life in society. However, the NCDs diseases cause over 40 million deaths each year. Much of this suffering could be prevented through personal and social behavioral changes. Support from governments, education systems, and healthcare institutions can also help people to live healthiest and most fulfilled lives. Mahidol University realized the importance of developing long-term collaborative relationships, particularly in research. Therefore, Mahidol University provided funding support for the MU-JHU Non-Communicable Diseases Research Collaborative Center. It is sure that the Center will be a pioneer in the field of non-communicable diseases, and will help to develop resilience across our societies, through developing knowledge and building the capacity of frontline healthcare professionals.
Professor Dr. Prasit Watanapa, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, stated that the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University supports the two main objectives of the MU-JHU NCD Research Collaborative Center including conducting a multi-site research collaboration and developing a training center for NCDs care. The Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital is ready to develop a cross-country comparative NCDs research, especially in WHO SEARO through multi-disciplinary research. The Faculty of Medicine will be a co-host for the webinar meeting which will be organized by the Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University. As a leading medical institute accredited with international standards, the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University is proud to be a training center to increase the capacity of nurse educators, researchers, and nurse practitioners both nationally and internationally through a short-course training program as well as a certificate program.
Professor DR. Patricia M. Davidson, Dean of Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing, said that Johns Hopkins University provides enthusiastic support to the MU-JHU NCD Research Collaborative Center. This collaboration is very important because the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is growing swiftly globally, particularly in Southeast Asia. Within the past ten years, deaths caused by NCDs were reported to increase and there were over 10 million deaths in Southeast Asia. Unlike Covid-19, a single vaccination cannot cure or prevent people from challenging NCDs' problems, so it is considered one of the major global problems. Therefore, collaboration is critically important. Johns Hopkins University is pleased to cooperate with Mahidol University and teach a new generation of health care professionals how to deal with NCDs' complex challenges in the global world.
“The MU – JHU NCD Research Collaborative Center” is located on the 4th Floor, Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Salaya. The Short Training Course for Hypertension Care will be organized as the first online course. For more information, please call 0-2441-5333 or 0-2441-5275 - 81 ext. 2470-2471, 2473 or Website https://ns.mahidol.ac.th/english/research/th/index_th.html
The introduction video of the MU-JHU NCD Research Collaborative Center
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyVML2947_0
Video of the virtual opening ceremony of the MU-JHU NCD Research Collaborative Center
https://web.facebook.com/nsmahidol/videos/2594352460864988
